
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 intended for people who are about to undergo weight loss surgery and aims to promote rapid weight loss. The diet restricts calorie intake to 1,200 per day, divided into two to three meals with no snacks. It emphasizes consuming lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables, and specific fruits while avoiding sugar, processed foods, and high-calorie fruits. While the diet has proven effective for short-term weight loss, it is not recommended for long-term use and should only be followed under medical supervision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creator | Dr. Younan Nowzaradan |
| Calorie Intake | 1,200 calories per day |
| Frequency | 2-3 meals per day, no snacks |
| Amount | 400 calories per meal (3 meals), 600 calories per meal (2 meals) |
| Type | High protein, low carb, low fat, low sugar |
| Food to eat | Lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables, chia seeds, flax seeds, low-carb condiments |
| Food to avoid | Fried meats, processed meats, nuts, high-sugar fruits, refined sugars, processed foods, sugary snacks, high-calorie fruits, starchy vegetables, refined carbs |
| Purpose | Promote rapid weight loss before weight loss surgery |
| Duration | Short-term, no more than 2 months |
| Supervision | Medical supervision is required |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Dr. Now Diet is a highly restrictive, low-calorie, low-carb diet
- It's designed for rapid weight loss before weight loss surgery
- It's not suitable for long-term weight loss or for most people
- It's a simple diet plan with three principles: frequency, amount, and type
- It was created by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, a bariatric surgeon

The Dr. Now Diet is a highly restrictive, low-calorie, low-carb diet
The diet is based on three primary principles, known as FAT: frequency, amount, and type. For frequency, Dr. Now recommends eating two to three meals per day with no snacks in between. For amount, he suggests limiting calorie intake to 1,200 calories or less each day, divided into two meals of 600 calories each or three meals of 400 calories each.
The type of food consumed on the Dr. Now Diet is also important. The diet emphasises consuming lean proteins, such as chicken, turkey, and fish, as well as non-starchy vegetables and specific fruits in moderation due to their natural sugar content. High-protein foods reduce appetite and cravings, while low-carb foods improve risk factors for diabetes. The diet strictly avoids sugar and processed foods, as well as high-calorie fruits, starchy vegetables, and refined carbohydrates.
The Dr. Now Diet is not recommended for anyone other than bariatric surgery patients and should only be followed under medical supervision. It is intended for short-term use, typically one to two months, and may lead to rebound weight gain. People following the diet may experience nutritional deficiencies, and it may be challenging to find enjoyable meals that apply to the diet.
Gallbladder Diets: Clinically Proven Remedy for Gallstones?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It's designed for rapid weight loss before weight loss surgery
The Dr. Nowzaradan Diet, or Dr. Now Diet, is a highly restrictive diet designed for rapid weight loss before weight loss surgery. It is a low-carb, low-calorie diet, limiting patients to 1,200 calories per day. It was developed by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, a Houston-based bariatric surgeon who gained fame on the reality TV show "My 600-Lb. Life."
The diet is based on three primary principles, often referred to as FAT: frequency, amount, and type. For frequency, Dr. Now recommends eating two to three meals per day with no snacks in between. The amount refers to limiting calorie intake to 1,200 calories or less each day, divided evenly into meals. For type, the diet emphasizes consuming fiber- and protein-rich foods while restricting carbohydrates, fats, and sugar.
The Dr. Now Diet is specifically intended for people who are about to undergo weight loss surgery. It helps patients lose weight quickly before their surgery to reduce the risk of complications and show they can make the necessary lifestyle changes after surgery. It is not recommended for the general public as a long-term weight loss solution and should only be done under medical supervision.
The diet is designed to be a short-term solution, typically followed for one or two months before surgery. It is not meant to be a sustainable diet and can lead to rebound weight gain. It may also cause nutritional deficiencies, so it is important for patients to be closely monitored by medical professionals.
Unbalanced Diets: Social Impact and Health Risks
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It's not suitable for long-term weight loss or for most people
The Dr. Nowzaradan diet is a highly restrictive low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet. The diet is intended to be followed in the weeks leading up to weight loss surgery. It is designed to promote rapid weight loss in people who are about to undergo weight loss surgery.
The diet is not suitable for long-term weight loss or for most people. It is a very restrictive diet with a drastic reduction in daily caloric intake, typically limited to around 1,200 calories per day. This is well below the caloric demands of most individuals. The diet should only be followed under the guidance of a medical professional and is not recommended for anyone other than bariatric surgery patients. It is intended for short-term use and should be concluded after one or two months.
The Dr. Nowzaradan diet is not a one-size-fits-all solution and is not recommended for the general public, especially because of its extremely low-calorie limit. It is designed for individuals under professional medical supervision, especially those preparing for or recovering from bariatric surgery. The diet is tailored to each patient's specific health needs and is closely monitored by medical professionals.
The diet may lead to rebound weight gain, which can significantly affect mental health. It may also cause nutritional deficiencies, which can lead to osteopenia or osteoporosis, two conditions related to bone health. The diet requires eating mostly unprocessed food, which may make it difficult to find enjoyable meals that apply to the diet. It is important to consult with a doctor or registered dietitian to develop a personalized meal plan that will help prepare for weight loss surgery.
Jordanian Diet Secrets: Rich Culture, Healthy Eating
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It's a simple diet plan with three principles: frequency, amount, and type
The Dr. Nowzaradan diet, also known as the Dr. Now Diet, is a highly restrictive low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet. It was developed by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, a Houston-based bariatric surgeon, to help patients prepare for weight-loss surgery. The diet is designed for rapid weight loss and should only be followed under medical supervision for a short period.
The diet is based on three primary principles, 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. This helps reduce the size of the liver, a common issue in obese individuals, thereby lowering the risk during bariatric surgery.
Amount refers to the number of calories one should consume. The diet restricts daily caloric intake to 1,200 calories or less, divided evenly into each meal. This drastic reduction in calories helps promote rapid weight loss, which is necessary for individuals with extreme obesity to alleviate immediate health risks.
Type refers to the types of food one should eat. The Dr. Now Diet emphasizes consuming high-protein, low-fat, and low-carbohydrate foods while increasing fiber intake. Lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, and fish are recommended, along with various non-starchy vegetables. Fruits are included but in moderation due to their natural sugar content. Fried and processed meats, nuts, high-sugar fruits, and refined sugars are prohibited.
The Dr. Nowzaradan diet is a challenging but potentially transformative weight loss program. It is not recommended for the general public but is tailored to the specific health needs of individuals preparing for or recovering from bariatric surgery.
Neuropathy Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It was created by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, a bariatric surgeon
The Dr. Nowzaradan diet, also known as the Dr. Now Diet, was created by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, a bariatric surgeon based in Houston, Texas. Dr. Nowzaradan specializes in vascular and bariatric surgery and became famous for his appearances on the reality TV show "My 600-Lb. Life." The show follows the lives of his patients who weigh more than 600 pounds and their journeys before, during, and after weight loss surgery.
The Dr. Nowzaradan diet is a highly restrictive, low-calorie, and low-carbohydrate diet designed to promote rapid weight loss in people who are about to undergo weight loss surgery. The diet typically involves consuming only 1,000 to 1,200 calories per day, which is significantly lower than the average daily calorie intake. It emphasizes consuming lean proteins, such as chicken, turkey, and fish, as well as non-starchy vegetables and specific fruits in moderation due to their natural sugar content.
The diet is based on three primary principles, often referred to as FAT: Frequency, Amount, and Type. Under Frequency, Dr. Nowzaradan recommends eating two to three meals per day with no snacks in between. For Amount, he suggests limiting calorie intake to 1,200 calories or less per day, divided evenly into each meal. As for Type, the diet strictly avoids sugar and encourages the consumption of low-fat and low-carb foods while increasing protein and fiber intake.
The Dr. Nowzaradan diet is not recommended for anyone other than bariatric surgery patients and should only be followed under the guidance of a medical professional. It is intended for short-term use, typically one to two months, as it may lead to rebound weight gain and nutritional deficiencies. The diet has proven effective for weight loss, especially in patients with extreme obesity, as it helps reduce the risk of complications during surgery and improves health outcomes.
Boosting B12: Simple Dietary Tips for Optimum Health
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Dr Nowarzadan diet is a restrictive, low-carb, low-calorie diet. It was developed by Dr Younan Nowzaradan, a bariatric surgeon who gained fame on the reality TV show 'My 600-Lb Life'.
The diet is intended for people who are about to undergo weight loss surgery and need to lose weight quickly. It is not recommended for anyone else.
The diet is based on three primary principles, often referred to as FAT: frequency, amount and type. Frequency refers to how often you eat – two to three meals per day with no snacks. Amount means a limit of 1,200 calories per day. Type refers to the types of food you eat – sugar is prohibited, and low-fat and low-carb foods are recommended, while protein and fibre content should be increased.










































