Why the Doctor’s Lounge Diet Is Failing Women Physicians—and What to Do Instead

Ever found yourself scarfing down a leftover sandwich tray at 4 p.m.—not because it looked good, but because you worked through lunch and it was there?

You're not alone.

Recently, a woman physician told me, “Honestly? I’m on the Doctor’s Lounge Diet.”

What she meant was: she eats what’s in front of her. 

If there are bagels in the doctor’s lounge, that’s breakfast. If fried chicken and mashed potatoes was served at noon, that was lunch. A granola bar while charting at the end of the day? That’s dinner. 

There’s no plan—just survival.

When a non-physician colleague laughed and asked why she doesn’t bring her own food or even know when she’s going to eat, she realized… she wasn’t taking care of her future self the way others do nor the way she does packing healthy school lunches for her kids. 

The truth is, many of us don’t have a plan for how we’re going to nourish ourselves. 

We have a vague idea of “eating healthy,” but what does that even mean these days? 

(I recently saw a pint of ice cream with cauliflower blended in being marketed as “health food.”)

As physicians, we’re used to having a clear plan when it comes to patient care—diagnosing, treating, and managing illness with precision.

But when it comes to our own bodies, our strategy is often… winging it.

And winging it is not a wellness plan.

Physician Wellness Is at Risk—And It Starts with Nutrition

According to a 2023 Medscape Physician Lifestyle & Happiness Report, 44% of physicians reported being overweight or obese. Among them, women physicians are more likely to cite stress, lack of time, and work demands as major obstacles to eating well.

And in another study published in the Journal of Occupational Health, over 60% of physicians reported eating meals “on the go,” often from whatever was available in lounges or vending machines.

When we don’t have a plan, we default to convenience—and convenience, in healthcare settings, often looks like processed, carb-heavy, or sugary food that keeps us running… until we crash.

What Is the Doctor’s Lounge Diet Costing You?

Let’s be honest: the Doctor’s Lounge Diet isn't just about food. 

What we actually want is energy, focus, and mental clarity. It’s about how you show up for your patients, your family, and yourself.

It’s also about reclaiming ownership over your well-being.

And no—this doesn’t mean perfect eating or meal-prepping for Instagram.

It means having a realistic nutrition strategy that works for the demands of your real life as a physician mom.

A Better Way Forward

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

When it comes to food, failing to plan often looks like:

• Scavenging the break room between patients
  
• Finishing your kid’s cold nuggets or mac and cheese at 9 p.m.
  
• Relying on caffeine and granola bars to get through the day
  

You deserve better than that.

Creating a simple, doable food strategy—one that honors your hunger, fits your schedule, and fuels your body—is not a luxury. It’s essential for long-term health and sustainability in your career and life. 

This is the exact kind of work I do with physician moms inside my coaching programs. Together, we create a flexible plan for eating that feels supportive, not stressful. A plan that works even on your busiest call day.

You Don’t Need More Time. You Need a Plan That Works For Your Exact Life. 

The next time you find yourself reaching for whatever’s in front of you, ask yourself: “What would change if I had a plan for how I want to feel—and fuel—today?”

Because the Doctor’s Lounge Diet may be easy… but it's not serving you.

Ready to upgrade your strategy? I’m here to show you how inside my program.