Dr Now Diet Plan

What is the Dr Now Diet Plan?

The "Dr. Now Diet," also known as the Dr. Nowzaradan diet, was developed by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, a renowned bariatric surgeon best known for his work on the reality television show "My 600-lb Life." This diet is specifically designed for extremely obese individuals, often as a prerequisite to weight-loss surgery or bariatric surgery. The primary goal of the diet is to initiate significant weight loss, improve surgery safety, and instill long-term healthy eating habits.

Central to the Dr. Now Diet is a drastic reduction in daily caloric intake, typically limited to around 1,200 calories per day. This low-calorie diet focuses on high-protein, low-carb, and low-fat foods. It emphasizes consuming lean proteins, such as chicken, turkey, and fish, and various non-starchy vegetables. Fruits are included but in moderation, given their natural sugar content. Processed foods, sugary snacks, high-calorie fruits, starchy vegetables, and refined carbohydrates are notably excluded from the diet.

Portion control is another critical aspect of the diet. Patients are encouraged to consume smaller portions and are often advised to use smaller plates to help control serving sizes. Hydration is also emphasized, focusing on drinking plenty of water while avoiding sugary drinks and excessive caffeine.

The strict nature of the diet serves multiple purposes. It helps in reducing the size of the liver, a common issue in obese individuals, to lower the risk during bariatric surgery. It also aims to foster discipline in eating habits, preparing patients for the post-surgery lifestyle changes necessary for long-term weight management.

It's important to note that the Dr. Now Diet is tailored to each patient's specific health needs and is closely monitored by medical professionals. This diet is not a one-size-fits-all solution and is typically not recommended for the general public, particularly because of its extremely low-calorie limit. It's designed for individuals under professional medical supervision, especially those preparing for or recovering from bariatric surgery. We have developed a comprehensive plan for the Dr. Now Diet, which is essential for anyone considering this highly restrictive program. Given its low-calorie and nutritionally specific nature, this plan will serve as an indispensable guide.

How to use the Dr. Now Diet Plan Template?

Our template is specifically designed for the unique requirements of the Dr. Now Diet, which is tailored for those seeking significant weight loss through a highly restrictive, low-calorie diet. To help your patients navigate this challenging but potentially transformative weight loss journey, we've developed a detailed, step-by-step guide on effectively using our Printable Dr. Now Diet Plan Template.

Step 1: Access the Dr. Now Diet Plan

Click the link on our page to access the Dr. Now Diet Plan. If you prefer a physical copy, print out the template for manual tracking and planning. It is also accessible and customizable on the Carepatron app.

Step 2: Determine caloric intake

Based on the Dr. Now Diet, set the daily caloric intake of the patient to around 1,200 calories. Adjust the template to reflect your patient's specific caloric limits and dietary needs.

Step 3: Familiarize the patient with permissible foods

Introduce the list of foods recommended in the diet to the patient, mainly lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables, and specific fruits. Explain the nutritional value of these foods and how they contribute to the diet.

Step 4: Plan your meals

Use the template to schedule the patient's daily meals and snacks, ensuring they align with the diet's guidelines. Remind them to pay attention to portion sizes, a crucial aspect of the Dr. Now diet.

Step 5: Regular monitoring and consultation

Measure the patient's weight and other relevant health measurements regularly. Maintain ongoing communication with your patient, especially for adjustments and health monitoring.

Step 6: Incorporate lifestyle changes

Gradually introduce appropriate physical activities and help your patient incorporate them into daily life. Remind them to cultivate healthier eating habits and a better understanding of nutrition.

When would you use this plan?

The Dr. Now Diet Plan Template is primarily used in specific, medically supervised situations where rapid and significant weight loss is necessary for health reasons. This diet is most commonly associated with patients preparing for bariatric surgery. However, its use extends beyond pre-surgical preparation.

Pre-bariatric surgery preparation

• Preoperative weight loss: Patients with extreme obesity are often required to lose weight before surgery to decrease the risk of complications.
• Liver shrinking: The diet helps reduce the liver's size, making surgery safer and more accessible.

Medically supervised weight loss programs

• Severe obesity management: In cases of severe obesity, rapid body weight loss is necessary to alleviate immediate health risks, such as severe diabetes, hypertension, or mobility issues.
• Structured dietary guidance: Provides a strict framework for patients who need structured dietary guidance.

Post-surgical diet transition

• Post-bariatric surgery diet: Patients transitioning from a liquid diet to solid foods post-bariatric surgery can use this plan to maintain weight loss momentum, adapt to new eating habits, and avoid rebound weight gain (Bettini, 2020).

Professional healthcare settings

• Dietitians and nutritionists: Utilized by professionals to create a structured diet plan for patients with severe dietary restrictions.
• Weight loss clinics: Implemented in clinical settings specializing in weight loss for obese patients.

When not to use the Dr. Now Diet Plan Template

• Without medical supervision: Due to its restrictive nature, it should not be used without the guidance of a healthcare professional.
• General weight loss: Not intended for individuals with moderate weight loss goals or as a general diet plan.

Other things to keep in mind

When embarking on the Dr. Now Diet, as outlined in the Free Dr. Now Diet Plan Template, several critical considerations must be considered before, during, and after the diet to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Before starting the diet

• Consult with a healthcare provider to determine if this diet is suitable for your health condition.
• Fully understand the diet's restrictive nature, focusing on low-calorie, high-protein, low-fat, and low-carb foods.
• Establish clear and achievable weight loss goals with your healthcare provider.
• Be mentally prepared for significant lifestyle changes, including drastic dietary adjustments.

During the diet

• Follow the diet plan closely, as deviating can impact its effectiveness, especially if it's a prerequisite for surgery.
• Ensure you are getting all the necessary nutrients despite the restricted calorie intake. Supplements may be necessary.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary or high-calorie beverages.
• Find healthy ways to cope with hunger and cravings, such as consuming low-calorie snacks like vegetables.
• Regularly consult with your healthcare provider to monitor your health and make adjustments to the diet as needed.

After the diet

• Gradually transition to a more sustainable, balanced diet after reaching your goal or as advised by your healthcare provider.
• Incorporate the healthy eating habits learned during the diet into your everyday life.
• Focus on long-term strategies for maintaining weight loss, including ongoing dietary restrictions and regular exercise.
• Continue to work with your healthcare provider to monitor your health and prevent weight regain.

Research & evidence

The Dr. Now diet has a solid foundation in evidence-based studies in the fields of obesity and weight loss. This diet emphasizes a low-calorie, high-protein, low-carb, and low-fat regimen, which has been supported by various studies regarding its effectiveness for significant weight loss, especially in the short term.

Studies have shown that low-calorie diets can lead to rapid weight loss. A crucial aspect of the Dr. Now Diet is its strict calorie restriction, typically around 1,200 calories per day, which can create a significant calorie deficit necessary for weight loss in obese patients (Kim, 2021).

High protein intake is a core component of the diet. Research indicates that a higher protein intake helps maintain satiety and preserve lean muscle mass during weight loss, which is vital as muscle mass can often be lost in calorie-restricted diets (Kim, 2021).

The Dr. Now Diet is often used as a preparatory step for bariatric surgery. Research supports structured, strict diets for morbidly obese patients to reduce surgery risks and improve postoperative outcomes (Kalarchian et al., 2016; Van et al., 2011). 

While the diet is effective for short-term weight loss, there's a debate regarding its long-term sustainability and nutritional adequacy (Kim, 2021). Responses to such diets can vary significantly among individuals. What works for one person may not work for another, especially considering factors like underlying health conditions and lifestyle (Kim, 2021).

The Dr. Now Diet aligns with several research-backed principles for weight loss in obese individuals. However, it's important to note that this diet should be followed under medical supervision, as it is extremely restrictive and tailored to individuals with specific health needs, particularly those preparing for bariatric surgery. As with any diet, individual responses can vary, and long-term success depends on a commitment to lifestyle change and ongoing monitoring.

References

Bettini, S., Belligoli, A., Fabris, R., & Busetto, L. (2020). Diet approach before and after bariatric surgery. Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders, 21(3), 297–306. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-020-09571-8

Kalarchian, M. A., Marcus, M. D., Courcoulas, A. P., Cheng, Y., & Levine, M. D. (2016). Preoperative lifestyle intervention in bariatric surgery: a randomized clinical trial. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases: Official Journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, 12(1), 180–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2015.05.004

Kim J. Y. (2021). Optimal diet strategies for weight Loss and weight loss maintenance. Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome, 30(1), 20–31. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes20065

Van Nieuwenhove, Y., Dambrauskas, Z., Campillo-Soto, A., van Dielen, F., Wiezer, R., Janssen, I., Kramer, M., & Thorell, A. (2011). Preoperative very low-calorie diet and operative outcome after laparoscopic gastric bypass: a randomized multicenter study. Archives of Surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960), 146(11), 1300–1305. https://doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.2011.273