CEO Lost 40 Pounds by Clearing His Plate in a Specific Order
William Taylor
Updated on February 22, 2026
Even when you're upping your daily steps and being mindful about your food choices, the number on the scale often refuses to budge. But while you're likely counting calories on a diet, you might not be considering the order in which you eat your food. For David Donaldson, a CEO of a nonprofit, making an easy change to his eating habits helped him lose 40 pounds and manage his type 2 diabetes. Speaking with Business Insider, Donaldson revealed details about his experience with the Twin Health program, which creates a "digital twin" to track health metrics and provide personalized recommendations. Interestingly enough, one of his twin's tips was about the best order to eat the food on his plate.
RE:ATED: Man Loses 157 Pounds in 2 Years With One "Pain-Free" Exercise.
Most of us sit down to a meal and start eating whatever looks most appealing. That could mean we begin with a protein source, or take a bite of a starch instead. But Donaldson explained that his twin recommended enjoying non-starchy vegetables before anything else.
Donaldson told BI that he often starts with asparagus, cauliflower, or celery. Before dinner, he also enjoys some broccoli and cheese or a salad. After that, he eats the protein on his plate, then any carbs. (So, for example, if you have a meal of chicken, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts, you would start with the sprouts, then the chicken, and wrap up with the potatoes.)
As experts told the outlet, eating in this order may be particularly beneficial for people like Donaldson with type 2 diabetes, as vegetables can control blood sugar and slow down digestion.
"That's really good advice actually, in type 2 diabetes, to have either the veggies first and/or the protein, and the carbohydrates last," registered dietician Nicola Guess, RD, MPH, PhD, who specializes in dietary prevention and type 2 diabetes management at Oxford University, told BI. "There's good evidence that's a good strategy."
It's worth noting, however, that the benefits of eating this way aren't entirely clear for those without a diabetes diagnosis, BI reported.
RELATED: If You Want to Lose Weight, "Avoid These Foods Like the Plague," Fitness Expert Says.
Beyond the order that he ate in, Donaldson told BI that two other recommendations from Twin Health helped him lose weight, control his blood sugar, and lower his cholesterol and blood pressure. (The app is essentially a dashboard that tracks how certain actions affect glucose levels, blood sugar, and blood pressure, among other things. Using that data, it gives personalized recommendations.)
The second recommendation from Donaldson's twin was the addition of apple cider vinegar. Throughout the day, Donaldson would add a tablespoon of the vinegar to an 8-ounce glass, which did help him lower his blood sugar.
However, there are some concerns about the long-term application of this intervention, largely due to ACV's acidity. Twin Health told BI that it does not recommend the technique to everyone, specifically those with "acid reflux, dental problems, or other medical conditions impacted by high acidity foods."
The third and final tip to prevent a rise in glucose was getting up and walking more—an intervention that also contributes to weight loss. While it wasn't easy for Donaldson in the beginning, after being consistent for three to four months, he told BI that his "energy flipped." At that point, his "energy went off the chart," which was a welcome change from the lethargy and depression he previously felt.
Best Life offers the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you're taking or any other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider directly.
Abby Reinhard Abby Reinhard is a Senior Editor at Best Life, covering daily news and keeping readers up to date on the latest style advice, travel destinations, and Hollywood happenings.Read moreFiled UnderHealth Advice • Healthy Eating • News • Nutrition • Weight LossRead This NextEat Your Favorite Foods and Still Lose Weight
Slim down with these simple swaps.May 1, 20244 Foods That Make It Hard to Lose Weight
Banish these foods (for now!) if you're trying to slim down.April 13, 20247 Supplements That Can Help You Lose Weight
These can give your weight loss efforts an added boost.April 4, 202410 Common Reasons People Can't Lose Weight
If the scale isn't moving, other factors beyond calories and cardio could be at play.March 29, 20247 Easy Ways to Lose Weight by Summer
Here's how to lose the weight and keep it off.March 28, 202412 "Fake Health Foods" to Stop Eating
Michael Smoak of HigherUpWellness says these are his grocery store skips.March 22, 2024Avoid These Foods If You Want to Lose Weight
You may want to think twice before throwing these products in your shopping cart.March 20, 2024"3 Easy Steps" to Lose Weight Before Summer
Jenna Rizzo reveals simple ways to get your weight-loss journey started.March 15, 2024How to Rearrange Your Kitchen to Lose Weight
These tips can help you eat better, get healthier, and live longer.January 27, 2024Ditching Cardio May Help You Lose Weight
There's a better way to tip the scales, fitness experts say.November 3, 2023
