
The Dr. Now Diet, also known as the Dr. Nowzaradan Diet, is a highly restrictive low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet developed by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, a Houston-based bariatric surgeon. The diet is designed to help candidates for weight loss surgery lose weight quickly and prepare for their upcoming surgery. It involves consuming only 1,200 calories per day, divided into two to three meals with no snacks in between. The diet emphasizes consuming fiber- and protein-rich foods while restricting carbohydrates, high-calorie foods, and sugar. Dr. Nowzaradan's diet gained popularity through his appearance on the reality show My 600-Lb. Life, where he helps patients with extreme obesity lose weight prior to surgery.
The Dr. Now Diet
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creator | Dr. Younan Nowzaradan |
| Calorie limit | 1,200 per day |
| Meals | Two to three per day |
| Snacks | Not allowed |
| Food types | Emphasises fibre and protein-rich foods; restricts carbohydrates, fats, and sugar |
| Prohibited foods | Fruits high in natural or added sugar, full-fat and sweetened dairy, whole grains, fruit, nuts, potatoes, and most seeds |
| Intended duration | Short-term, no longer than one or two months |
| Intended audience | People prepping for weight loss surgery or at imminent risk of serious health concerns due to weight |
| Supervision | Should only be followed under the guidance of a medical professional |
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What You'll Learn

Who is Dr Nowzaradan?
Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, also known as Dr. Now, is an Iranian-born American doctor of Assyrian heritage, TV personality, and author. He specializes in vascular and bariatric surgery and has a particular interest in helping morbidly obese people lose weight. He graduated from the University of Tehran with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1970 and moved to the United States, where he participated in the Medical Orientation Program at Saint Louis University in 1971. He completed a Rotating Surgical Internship at St. John Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and a four-year surgical residency at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dr. Nowzaradan is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has been practicing as a general surgeon for over 55 years and is currently affiliated with Houston Obesity Surgery in Houston, Texas. He practices medicine at multiple local hospitals and has his private practice, where he offers telehealth appointments. Dr. Nowzaradan speaks English, Arabic, Persian, and Spanish.
In addition to his surgical work, Dr. Nowzaradan has published several scholarly publications and books on obesity and laparoscopy. He is the author of "Last Chance to Live" (2017) and "The Scale Does Not Lie, People Do" (2019). He is also known for his appearances on the TV show "My 600-lb Life" since 2012, where he helped morbidly obese people lose weight. He has also appeared on installments of Body Shock, including the episodes "Half Ton Dad", "Half Ton Teen", and "Half Ton Mum".
Dr. Nowzaradan is regarded as one of the most experienced and knowledgeable weight loss physicians. He has pioneered surgical techniques to accommodate super-morbidly obese patients, significantly advancing the field of bariatric surgery. His innovative approaches and dedication to patient care have set new standards in treating obesity. He is committed to providing personalized care to his clients and has helped many people achieve a healthier lifestyle.
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What is the Dr Nowzaradan diet?
The Dr. Nowzaradan diet, also known as the Dr. Now Diet, is a highly restrictive diet designed for people preparing for weight loss surgery. The diet is low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, and low-fat, with a daily intake of 1,200 calories. It is based on three primary principles, often referred to as FAT: frequency, amount, and type.
Frequency refers to how often one should eat. Dr. Now recommends eating two to three meals per day with no snacks in between. Amount refers to the calorie intake, which is limited to 1,200 calories per day. These calories can be consumed in two 600-calorie meals or three 400-calorie meals. Type refers to the types of food one should eat. The diet emphasizes consuming lean proteins, such as chicken, turkey, and fish, as well as non-starchy vegetables and specific fruits. It strictly avoids sugar and recommends choosing low-fat and low-carb foods while increasing protein and fiber intake.
The Dr. Nowzaradan diet is not recommended for anyone other than those preparing for weight loss surgery and should only be followed under medical supervision. It is intended for short-term use, typically for one to two months, and may lead to rebound weight gain if not properly managed. The diet has proven effective for weight loss, with many people attesting to achieving their desired body weight.
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What are the three primary principles of the diet?
The Dr. Now Diet, developed by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, is based on three primary principles, often referred to as FAT: frequency, amount, and type.
The first principle, frequency, refers to how often one should eat. Dr. Now recommends eating only two to three meals per day, with no snacks in between. The second principle, amount, refers to the number of calories one should consume. He suggests limiting calorie intake to 1,200 calories or less each day, divided evenly—400 calories for each meal three times daily, or 600 calories for each meal twice daily. The third principle, type, refers to the types of food one should eat. The Dr. Now Diet emphasizes consuming fiber- and protein-rich foods while restricting carbohydrates, fats, and sugar.
The Dr. Now Diet is a highly restrictive, low-calorie, and low-carbohydrate diet. It is designed to help candidates for preoperative weight loss surgery lose weight quickly. The diet is not recommended for anyone other than bariatric surgery patients and should only be followed under the guidance of a medical professional.
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What foods are prohibited?
I found information on prohibited foods for the following diets:
Dr. Sebi's Diet
Dr. Sebi's diet is a strict, plant-based diet that allows alkaline vegetables and foods to "detoxify" the body. It is a vegan diet that involves the use of plant-based foods and special herbs to alkalize the body. The diet prohibits the following:
- Animal products
- Alcohol
- Wheat products
- Canned or seedless fruits
- Addictive substances such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol
- Microwaved food
Dr. Fuhrman's Eat to Live Diet
Dr. Fuhrman's diet is a vegetarian weight-loss plan. It prohibits the following:
- Meat, including beef, pork, chicken, turkey, veal, and lamb
- Eggs
- Refined-grain foods, including white bread, white pasta, and white rice
- Refined carbohydrates, such as sugary breakfast cereals, crackers, and granola bars
- Sugar and foods made with refined sugar, including candy, cookies, cake, ice cream, pie, and sugary drinks
- Starchy vegetables, potatoes, and corn, which are restricted to one cup or less per day
- Avocado, restricted to 2 ounces or less per day
- Nuts, restricted to one ounce or less per day
- Ground flaxseed, restricted to one tablespoon or less per day
The DASH Diet
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style. It does not require special foods but provides nutritional goals. The plan recommends limiting the following:
Foods high in saturated fat, such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, and tropical oils like coconut oil and palm oil
The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet emphasizes plant-based foods and healthy fats. It does not set hard and fast rules but encourages eating more of certain foods and limiting others. It suggests limiting the following:
- Foods with added sugar, like bakery goods, ice cream, and granola bars
- Red meat, choosing poultry, fish, or beans instead
- Sweets and sugary drinks
- Butter
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Who is the diet for?
The Dr. Now diet is a highly restrictive diet designed for people prepping for weight loss surgery. It is not recommended for anyone other than bariatric surgery patients and should only be followed under the guidance of a medical professional. The diet is based on three primary principles, often referred to as FAT: frequency, amount, and type.
Frequency refers to how often one should eat. Dr. Now recommends eating two to three meals per day with no snacks in between. Amount refers to the number of calories one should consume. He recommends limiting calorie intake to 1,200 calories or less each day, divided evenly across these meals.
The type of food consumed on the Dr. Now diet emphasizes consuming fiber- and protein-rich foods while restricting carbohydrates and fats. People on the Dr. Now diet can consume lean protein sources, specific whole-grain carbohydrates, non-starchy vegetables, and nonfat dairy, while avoiding foods that are often high in calories, sugar, and saturated fat. The diet is restrictive and forbids some healthy foods, such as many whole-grain products, potatoes, certain fruits, and most nuts and seeds.
The Dr. Now diet is designed for short-term use in the lead-up to bariatric surgery, so it should not be followed for longer than a month or two. It is a very restrictive low-carb, low-calorie diet designed for rapid, effective weight loss, most notably to assist obese patients in dropping weight prior to weight-loss surgery.
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Frequently asked questions
The Dr. Now diet is a highly restrictive, low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet developed by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan to help patients prepare for weight loss surgery.
The Dr. Now diet is based on three primary principles referred to as FAT: frequency, amount, and type. Frequency refers to eating two to three meals a day with no snacks in between. Amount refers to limiting calorie intake to 1,200 calories a day. Type refers to consuming fiber- and protein-rich foods while restricting carbohydrates, fats, and sugar.
The Dr. Now diet allows for the consumption of many healthy, nutrient-dense foods such as lean protein sources, specific whole-grain carbohydrates, non-starchy vegetables, and nonfat dairy.
The Dr. Now diet prohibits certain nutritious foods, including fruits, whole grains, nuts, full-fat and sweetened dairy, and starchy vegetables like potatoes due to their high-calorie content.











































