What is Dr. Now's Diet Plan
Mia Wang - Ph.D. and William Read - Nutrition Consultant
Mia Wang - Ph.D. and William Read - Nutrition Consultant
01.02.2024

Fair Overview 2024 of What Is Dr Now’s Diet and How It Can Help You Lose Weight

Diets Weight loss
Table Of Contents

Introduction: What is Dr. Now’s Diet Plan?

What is dr now’s 1200-calorie diet? A very stringent low-carb, low-calorie diet, the Dr. Now Diet. Dr. Nowzaradan is a bariatric surgeon with a practice in Houston who focuses on weight loss surgery for patients with morbid obesity.

His reality television series “My 600-Lb. Life,” which follows the lives of his patients who weigh more than 600 pounds, helped him achieve fame (272 kg). The program chronicles their journey leading up to, during, and following weight loss surgery.

Dr. Now was a founder of laparoscopic surgery and a strong advocate for it. He thought that bariatric surgery could be performed using laparoscopic techniques, among other surgical procedures. Because he operates on patients that many other surgeons consider to be too dangerous, Dr. Now is highly recognized.

Dr. Nowzaradan recommends a rigorous 1,200-calorie diet as part of his weight loss strategy. The strategy’s primary goal is to consume fewer calories while maintaining a balanced diet. One can lose weight quickly by adhering to Dr. Nowzaradan’s stringent nutritional recommendations.

This low-calorie diet plan focuses on eating a portion of food that is high in protein, low in fat, low in carbohydrates, and high in vitamins to help your body get the nutrition it needs to be healthy.

What Is Dr Now’s Diet

Is Dr. Now’s Diet Keto?

This stringent diet plan consists primarily of low-fat, low-calorie, high-protein, and low-carb foods. At first look, this eating pattern appears entirely impossible and unsustainable because patients are only allowed to consume about 1200 calories each day, which is significantly less than the recommended amount of an average daily calorie intake.

With the exception of sugar, Dr. Nowzaradan’s diet does not claim to be a healthy strategy to lose weight while keeping a low-calorie consumption.

Additionally, if you want to see results quickly on the dr nowzaradan diet, you can only wing it and consume less than 1200 calories a day because doing so will deprive your body of vital vitamins and energy-producing macronutrients.

Within that context, Dr. Now suggests a high-protein, extremely low-carb diet, especially before surgery (remember that the goal is to lose a lot of weight quickly, which low carbs will help you do). Nonetheless, he doesn’t want his patients to follow a strict ketogenic diet.

A very high-fat, very low-carb diet is what the keto diet entails. However, because fats can include large quantities of calories, this diet plan is rarely seen as low-calorie (and the keto diet doesn’t even require you to calculate calories).

In addition, medical professionals have differing views on the keto diet. Although many people have found success with the keto diet programs, it is unknown what the long-term ramifications of eating a diet so rich in fat will be. It is also not advised for patients who are exceptionally morbidly obese and already have a higher risk of heart disease.

Benefits of the Dr. Now Diet Plan

The Dr. Now diet’s great benefit is that it is particularly successful for quick weight loss. However, apart from the fact that it is low in calories, the diet for weight loss per se doesn’t provide anything remarkable.

  • Remember that losing weight only happens when you consume fewer calories than you require to maintain your normal biological functions and any physical exercise. Therefore, you will lose more weight more quickly the more prominent the calorie deficit is.

Patients who follow Dr. Now’s diet recommendations may require between 3,000 and 4,000 calories daily to maintain their weight simply. However, as you may expect, the patients will lose weight quickly on a 1,000–1,200 calorie diet due to the significant calorie shortfall.

However, the 1,000–1,200 calories that the dr nowzaradan diet plan permits is well below the caloric demands of the majority of individuals, even if your calorie needs are lower than those of the patients on “My 600–lb. Life.”

Reduce the Risk of Post-surgical Complications

Weight loss before bariatric surgery, according to the Dr. Now diet proponents, can help lower the chance of complications following the procedure.

Research on this subject needs to be more consistent. For instance, a study conducted in 2020 discovered that even a slight weight decrease prior to bariatric surgery was linked to a lower 30-day risk of mortality.

However, the research found that many bariatric centers insist that patients lose a certain amount of weight before surgery; however, many recent high-quality reviews need to be more conclusive of the evidence supporting this practice. This research was published in 2020 in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science.

Fast Weight Loss

Many of Dr. Now’s patients, many of whom weigh more than 600 pounds (272 kg), attempt to shed 30 pounds (14 kg) in just 30 days, and many of them succeed.

The Dr Nowzaradan diet is really often utilized for patients undergoing preoperative bariatric surgery, not just at Dr. Now’s office. For example, in a study involving 24 obese women, participants shed a considerable amount of weight in just 13 days with and without exercise.

For people treated with bariatric surgery, doctors frequently advise preoperative weight loss because it seems to help prevent difficulties following the procedure. 

In one study, the results of the excess of over 480,000 patients who underwent bariatric surgery were examined. Even when participants lost less than 5% of their overall weight, the researchers discovered that weight loss before surgery helped lower the risk of death within 30 days of surgery.

Studies have also shown that patients who were compelled to lose weight to be authorized for weight reduction surgery tended to experience better weight outcomes.

Also, read – The Top 10 Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water Every Day

How Does Dr. Now’s Diet Plan Work – Dr. Nows Diet Menu

What is dr now’s diet plan? Real food and limited portions are the two fundamental tenets of Dr. Now’s diet plan. The diet can be challenging to stick to, but anyone who has witnessed the tremendous improvements in his patients can attest that the effort is ultimately worthwhile.

  1. Only two to three meals should be consumed each day, with no snacks in between.
  2. There is a daily cap of 1,200 calories. Therefore, two 600-calorie meals or three 400-calorie meals can be made out of them.
  3. Species: The Dr. The modern diet places emphasis on eating foods high in fiber and protein while limiting carbohydrates and fats.
  4. For breakfast, he suggests whole-grain bread, low-fat cottage cheese, plain Greek yogurt, beans, turkey sausage, oats, and egg whites.
  5. You can barbecue, broil, or bake a lean protein for lunch. You could also have tofu, canned tuna, deli meat, non-starchy veggies, or a salad with vinaigrette dressing. Three ounces, or around the size of a deck of cards, should make up a serving of beef.
  6. The same kinds of cuisine might be served for lunch and dinner. 
  7. Snack options include plain Greek yogurt without added sugar and turkey or ham roll-ups.
What Is Dr Now Diet

What Foods Can I Eat while Following Dr Nowzaradan Diet Plan to Lose Weight?

Following Dr. Nowzaradan’s diet plan is a great way to lose weight. To reach your desired result, lean protein should be incorporated into every meal. Low-fat dairy options such as unsweetened yogurt and cheese can also be included in the plan. Fruits and vegetables are also important components of any healthy diet which should be chosen from the list of approved items suggested by Dr. Nowzaradan’s diet plan. 

These foods are permitted in Dr. Now’s diet plan, along with others that are high in fiber, high in protein, low in fat, and sugar-free:

  • Lean protein: egg, lean cuts of meat, chicken and turkey breast, beans, tofu, fish.

Eating lean protein is essential for successful weight loss while following Dr. Nowzaradan’s diet plan. Incorporating lean proteins into meals not only helps to build and repair muscle, but it can also help you feel satisfied after eating. 

According to Dr. Nowzaradan, the optimal amount of lean protein can range from 0.36-0.91 grams per pound bodyweight and should make up 20-30% of total daily caloric intake. Therefore, adding a quality source of lean protein to every meal is ideal for hitting this target. 

Utilizing these high-quality sources in combination with low-glycemic vegetables can give your weight loss an added boost!

  • Fats and oils: small amounts of oil for cooking.

Following a dedicated weight-loss diet plan such as Dr. Nowzaradan’s can help shed excess pounds, but it is essential to remember that not all fats and oils are unhealthy. 

Specifically, with the Dr. Nowzaradan plan, certain fats and oils should be included in meals to ensure healthy nutrient intake that supports prosperous and sustainable weight loss. 

Omega-3 fatty acids from sources like flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, and fatty fish are particularly beneficial for weight loss because of their protective antioxidant properties. 

Adding these items in measured amounts to the everyday diet will add flavor and nutrition to help you reach fitness goals faster.

  • Lower sugar fruits: except watermelon, cantaloupe, banana, and mango.

Lower-sugar fruits such as berries, apples, and barley are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals while causing less blood sugar spike when compared with higher-sugar fruits like mangos, pineapples, and watermelons. 

Eating lower-sugar fruits is beneficial for healthy weight loss that can be sustained over time – something that Dr. Nowzaradan’s diet plan encourages. 

Making the switch to lower-sugar fruits means satisfying your sweet tooth without sacrificing health or progress toward your weight loss goals.

  • Most vegetables: except potatoes.

Eating the right kind of vegetables is an essential part of any diet plan, and it is especially important to include them while following the Dr Nowzaradan diet plan if you are trying to lose weight. 

Vegetables are some of the most nutritious foods available, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Eating plenty of them will help keep your energy levels consistent throughout the day and help ensure that your body receives all the essential nutrients it needs for optimal health, aiding in weight loss efforts. 

The best vegetables to eat while on this particular diet plan are leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and lettuce; cruciferous ones like broccoli and cauliflower; and starchy ones such as beets and carrots. 

Make sure to balance a variety of vegetables in each meal to get maximum nutritional benefits!

  • Certain nuts and seeds: flax and chia seeds.

Nuts and seeds are nutrient-dense, high in fiber, and provide essential fatty acids that work to improve overall health in addition to helping people lose weight. 

Also, read – The Gut Microbiome and Mental Health

When included as part of a balanced meal plan, these foods can go a long way toward improving both satiety levels and overall nutrition. Additionally, they add flavor, texture, and variety, which can help meal times stay interesting and promote better compliance with the diet plan. 

Incorporating nuts and seeds into your daily routine is a simple but highly beneficial action to take along the path to weight loss success!

  • Non-fat dairy: plain non-fat yogurt, skim milk.

Non-fat dairy is an excellent source of protein and calcium, which are essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping hunger at bay. 

Adding non-fat milk, yogurt, and cheeses to your daily meals can help you feel fuller for longer and provide you with the vital nutrients your body needs on its journey toward weight loss.

  • Whole-grain carbs: wheat bread, wheat or corn tortillas, and whole-wheat pasta in moderation.

Whole-grain carbs are a great source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, as well as providing needed energy throughout the day. Additionally, complex carbohydrates have been shown to lower harmful cholesterol levels and improve heart health. 

When integrated into Dr Nowzaradan diet plan to lose weight, such carbs can efficiently fuel one’s body and help one reach their weight loss goals faster than if they simply cut calories without adding healthy sources of energy. 

Adopting this type of eating pattern can empower individuals to take command of their own diets with confidence and enthusiasm!

  • Zero-calorie sweeteners.

A critical component of this plan is incorporating zero-calorie sweeteners so that you stay on track with your calorie restriction goals. 

Although it may seem counterintuitive to include sweeteners, they can be a great tool for achieving your weight goals without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction if used in moderation and in the correct form. 

Additionally, zero-calorie sweeteners can help improve digestion by encouraging regular bowel movements and reducing flatulence when incorporated into the daily routine. Not only can these sweeteners assist in weight loss, but they also contribute to metabolic health overall.

How Much Weight Can You Lose on the Dr. Now Diet?

The Dr. Now Diet has been heralded as one of the most successful diets in the world, and many people have reported significant weight loss since taking up this diet plan. 

The success rate is bolstered by the intense monitoring and following of the diet’s regime, which puts a focus on eating foods with fewer unnecessary carbohydrates combined with extra protein and fruits. 

Studies suggest that regular adherence to the Dr. Now Diet can result in average monthly weight loss rates ranging from 10-20 pounds for a majority of individuals. However, results may vary depending on individual metabolism and lifestyle habits.

This kind of diet is ideal for those looking to lose a lot of excess weight and maintain their new weight levels over time due to its sustainable principles that build upon healthier eating habits rather than extreme restrictions or approaches.

Dr. Nowzaradan Food List: What Should You Avoid on the Diet?

Along with a list of foods to eat, the diet plan also includes a list of foods that should be carefully avoided:

  • Sugar (artificial sweeteners)
  • Chocolates and candies
  • Jams and Jellies
  • Deserts (cookies, pie, brownies, doughnuts, ice creams, etc.)
  • Fruits with high sugar content (mangoes, watermelon, pears, cherries, cantaloupe, bananas, figs)
  • Starchy vegetables (peas, beans)
  • Potatoes (mashed, fried, baked, chips, etc.)
  • Rice (white and brown)
  • Bread (eat only whole grain)
  • Pasta 
  • Shakes and Meal supplements
  • Crackers
  • Dried and Candied fruits
  • Nuts
  • Popcorn
  • Cereals
  • Honey
  • Soda
  • Juice
  • Sports and Energy Beverages
  • Alcohol

Dr Now Diet Plan 1200 Calories for Successful Weight Loss

The diet typically includes the following for each meal:

  • 1.5 to 2 ounces of protein
  • 1/2 cup of starchy veggies
  • 1/2 cup of veggies without stars
  • 1 fat serving (5 grams)

In addition, skim milk with extra protein is permitted for breakfast, and a one-ounce protein snack is permitted at night. Stick to dry heat cooking techniques for proteins, such as broiling, grilling, or baking.

Here’s a day sample of Dr. Now diet menu plan:

BreakfastTwo scrambled eggs, a slice of whole-grain bread spread with one tablespoon of margarine, and a cup of skim milk
Lunch3 ounces of roasted chicken, 1/2 cup of green peas, 1/2 cup of broccoli, and 1 tablespoon of margarine
DinnerSalad with white beans, arugula, and 3 ounces of canned tuna packed in water that has been seasoned with 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrette
Snack1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese

Conclusion: Why Is The Dr. Now Diet So Effective, And How Can It Help You Lose Weight Faster?

To sum up, the Dr. Nowzaradan diet plan to lose weight was created by an acclaimed doctor, fitness guru, and reality television star Dr. Younan Nowzaradan. This diet offers an effective way to kickstart your journey to weight loss with a combination of cutting-edge nutritional principles and certified physical activity guidelines. 

The program is practical and sustainable in that it advises healthy lifestyle modifications such as consuming nutrient-dense meals and engaging in regular exercise instead of crash diets or rigid meal plans. 

Additionally, the program provides clear goals for the long road ahead and enables people to feel empowered through accountability within their individualized programs. 

If you are looking for an efficient approach to succeeding with weight management from a qualified physician, then consider incorporating the Dr. Now Diet into your health routine today!

FAQ

What foods are allowed on Dr. Now’s diet?

Dr. Now’s diet typically includes lean proteins, vegetables, whole grains, and portion control. Specific food choices may vary depending on individual dietary needs and weight loss goals.

What foods to avoid on Dr Now’s diet?

On Dr. Now’s diet, it’s advisable to avoid high-calorie, processed, and sugary foods. These often include items like fast food, sugary beverages, fried foods, and excessive carbohydrates. The focus should be on whole, nutrient-dense foods while limiting or eliminating highly processed and calorie-dense options.

How long will it take to lose 30 pounds on a 1200-calorie diet?

The rate at which you lose 30 pounds on a 1200-calorie diet can vary depending on various factors, including your current weight, metabolism, activity level, and overall health. In general, a 1200-calorie diet can create a calorie deficit that leads to weight loss of about 1 to 2 pounds per week, as it is considered a low-calorie diet.

Can you eat oatmeal on Dr. Now diet?

Oatmeal may be included on the list of foods to avoid in Dr. Nowzaradan’s diet plan due to its calorie and carbohydrate content, as well as the potential difficulty in controlling portion sizes.

Who is Dr. Nowzaradan?

Dr. Nowzaradan, often referred to as Dr. Now, is a renowned bariatric surgeon who specializes in helping individuals achieve significant weight loss through surgical and medical interventions. He gained widespread recognition for his appearances on the reality TV show “My 600-Lb Life,” where he guides patients on their weight loss journeys.

Mia Wang
Mia Wang - Ph.D.

Mia Wang is Ph.D. in Nutrition. Passionate about helping others achieve their health goals through evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle solutions.

William Read - Nutrition Consultant

William is from Canada, he is passionate nutrition & wellness writer. William understands that the topic of wellness is still not well understood, so his goal is to enlighten and teach people how to live healthier and happier in their bodies.