. >> reporter: what kinltz did next may surprise you. she turned the surgeon down cold.aid no to open heart surgery. decided to take a chance. >> i bought parsnips. always have sweet potatoes on hand. >> using food as medicine. >> i love these. they are wonderful. so i love these. >> kintz is betting her life on a controversial diet. created by a general surgeon by training. >> you have easy to remember adages of what you should and should not eat. >> we know what they should not eat. oil, dairy, meat, fish and chicken. we want them to eat all of those whole grains for their cereal, bread, pasta. beans, vegetables. yellow, red, green and fruit. now what particular vegetables do we want them to have? bok choy, brussel sprouts and beets, green beans, parsley, spinach, aruba and asparagus and i'm out of breath. i'm out of breath. >> nothing with a mother. nothing with a face. you can imagine the meat, egg and dairy associations think that is a terrible idea. >> incorporating lean beef can help you stick to a healthy diet. because it's a food people enjoy. >> it is a source