The Dr. Phil Diet: What it is & How it Works

With a popular talk show under his belt and multiple best-selling self-help books, McGraw has hit the ground running in the weight-loss arena. He's issued a book, a food guide, a cookbook and a small line of weight-loss foods. And he's promoted said contributions to the hilt. Will his style of advice hit home with dieters? It's too early to tell. But preliminary reports suggest that there's not much new advice in this weight-loss tome, and McGraw's style of coaching is better geared toward emotional eaters than the average dieter.



No wacky food combos or food exclusions here: Dieters are encouraged to eat a wide variety of whole foods, lean sources of protein and tiny amounts of fat. The thinking here is that whole-grain carbs, which contain generous amounts of fiber, keep you feeling full; ditto for lean proteins. A moderate approach to eating should also keep your blood sugar on an even keel and your appetite in check.

Of course, it's not just what goes on your plate that counts, but also what goes on in your head. McGraw devotes much of his book to helping dieters change the way they think about food. Acknowledging old beliefs about body image, challenging negative thoughts and learning self-discipline are all included in his seven-point plan.



How the diet works: Dieters write out a plan for what they will eat each day, then stick to it. It's a one-size-fits-all prescription: three servings of protein, two servings of low-fat dairy products, two to three servings of starches, two fruits, four servings of vegetables and one serving of a healthy fat (nuts, seeds, olive oil). Too complicated? Try this shortcut: Divide your plate into four sections. Fill one section with a protein, another with a starch and the remaining two sections with vegetables or a vegetable and a fruit.