THE SKINNY
by Louis J. Aronne, M.D.

The Theory Some overweight people have a tougher time slimming down because their internal weight-regulating system is “busted,” causing them to have heartier appetites and stockpile fat, claims Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Program at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. You can override this faulty biology in three months, Aronne suggests, simply by altering the types of food you eat and the order in which you eat them.

The first steps: Have protein at every meal, slash nearly all saturated and trans fat and sugar, and limit starches to a single halfcup serving of whole grains, whole-grain pasta, beans, or rice with dinner. That way you prevent recurring spikes in blood sugar, which can exacerbate hunger and trigger hormonal changes that may increase fat storage. Next, eat lunch and dinner in a specific order. Have a salad or soup and a veggie side dish first, followed by protein, then healthy carbs. Vegetables and soup fill you up fast, Aronne says, sending a satiety signal to your brain so you eat less of the higher-calorie fare.

The Expert Take
This plan is best suited for people who have at least 10 percent of their body weight to lose and can’t seem to control their hunger. While it’s based on science—a recent study found that this eating style increases fat burning in overweight people— it’s a strict approach. So you don’t miss out on important nutrients or fall into a diet rut, take a multivitamin and calcium supplement and don’t eat the same things every day. For snacks, make sure to have at least one piece of fruit and one lowfat dairy option daily.

Weight-Loss Trick
Delay the bread basket. Since banishing fun foods (like wine, bread, and fatty side dishes) from your diet can trigger bingeing, Aronne suggests having them after you’ve finished your meal. By that time, you may feel satisfied and find you don’t really want that dinner roll or that you’ll be happy with just a few sweet potato fries.