Padma Lakshmi shares weight-loss poem: 'No meat, no sweets, no wheat'

"Top Chef" star Padma Lakshmi has a sleek bikini body despite eating food for a living. Lakshmi, 42, says sticking to a simple weight-loss formula helps her lose weight when she's up a few pounds.

In a Jan. 8 blog post, Padma revealed her weight-loss mantra for slimming down in record time:

"January is often lauded as the month of self-improvement, the time to get back into shape and lose any extra weight that we might have gained over the holidays," writes Lakshmi.

"As someone who eats for a living part of the time, the ability to quickly whip myself into shape is crucial. Luckily, I have a little poem that keeps me on track when I need to lose weight: No meat, no sweets, no wheat, no cheese, no alcohol, no fried food."

The 5-foot-9 brunette beauty followed this diet this past fall, and dropped pounds easily without working out.

"I followed this regimen for the entire month of October and managed to lose weight without any exercise," says the former model. "The guidelines are very strict — you can’t eat even a crumb of toast — but it’s a healthy and mindful way to lose weight in a small time frame.

"White meat such as fish, turkey, or chicken breast are acceptable, but there is absolutely no red meat allowed. Small amounts of potatoes or rice are also fine, but it should be kept to a minimum."

Lakshmi, who gains about 15 pounds each season shooting "Top Chef," is a pro at weight loss, since she has gained and lost that amount each season for the past six years.

In addition to her dietary discipline, it helps that Padma is a fitness fanatic who typically exercises several days a week for 45 to 120 minutes per session. The Indian beauty boxes, runs on the treadmill and lifts weights to stay in shape.

The mother of one says following a diet free of wheat, sugar and meat for an entire month can help with weight loss and overall health.

"If you follow this poem for the entire month of January, not only will you feel clear-headed but you will also most certainly lose weight," she promises.

[Related: Padma Lakshmi raves about homemade 'cleansing juice']