What Is the Dr. Now Diet? (1,200-Calorie Plan)

Quick Answer: The Dr. Now Diet is a short-term, clinically supervised 1,200-calorie plan created by bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan to help patients lose weight rapidly and shrink their liver before surgery. It's high in lean protein, low in sugar and refined carbs, and should only be followed under medical care (The Scale Does Not Lie, People Do, 2019).

What Is the Dr. Now Diet?

The "Dr. Now diet" originated with Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, a Houston-based bariatric surgeon known from the TV show My 600-lb Life. In his book The Scale Does Not Lie, People Do (2019), Dr. Now describes a strict low-calorie meal pattern—around 1,200 calories a day—designed to jump-start weight loss in patients with severe obesity and make surgery safer.

The diet centers on lean protein sources like chicken, fish, eggs, low-fat dairy, and tofu, paired with non-starchy vegetables such as greens, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and peppers. Everything else gets cut: sugar, sweetened drinks, white bread, pasta, rice, fried foods, and alcohol. No snacks or liquid calories are allowed, and most versions use 2–3 structured meals daily with water and zero-calorie beverages only.

Dr. Nowzaradan has never released a peer-reviewed protocol for his diet. Public details come from his book and patient education materials featured on the show. If you're exploring medically supervised weight loss approaches, our Ultimate Guide to the GLP-1 Diet covers another evidence-based option that's gaining traction with healthcare providers.

Why He Uses It: Surgical Preparation and Liver Shrinking

Before bariatric surgery, many patients develop fatty liver disease that makes laparoscopic access difficult. A large, fatty liver literally gets in the way of the surgical instruments. Reducing liver volume simplifies the operation considerably.

The science supports this approach. Short low- or very-low-calorie diets (800–1,200 calories per day) for 2–4 weeks can reduce liver volume by 5–20% and decrease visceral fat. The result is easier instrument maneuvering, shorter surgery time, and lower technical difficulty for the surgeon. There's also a practical benefit for patients: they start practicing the habits they'll need after surgery—smaller portions, protein first, and avoiding sugar—before they're forced to adopt them during recovery.

What You Eat (and Avoid)

The protein list reads like a greatest hits of lean options: chicken and turkey breast, fish, shrimp, eggs and egg whites, extra-lean beef, tofu and tempeh, low-fat Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese. These become the foundation of every meal because protein preserves muscle mass during rapid weight loss and keeps you feeling full longer than carbs or fat would.

Vegetables fill out the plate, but only the non-starchy kind. Think leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, cucumbers, and cabbage. These add volume and fiber without many calories—exactly what you need when your daily budget is so limited.

The "avoid" list is extensive but straightforward: added sugars in all forms, sweets, soda, juice, alcohol, white bread, rice, regular pasta, fried foods, and processed snacks like chips, crackers, and desserts. If it comes in a package with a long ingredient list, it probably doesn't fit. For a deeper look at which foods actually support weight loss (and why), our Complete Guide to the Best Foods for Weight Loss breaks down the science behind each category.

Sample 1-Day Template (~1,200 kcal)

Protein goal: At least 60 grams per day minimum for bariatric patients, often calculated at 1.0–1.5 grams per kilogram of ideal body weight.

Benefits and Drawbacks

The diet does what it's designed to do: produce predictable short-term weight loss before surgery, reduce liver size to make the procedure safer, and build discipline for post-surgery eating habits. Patients who stick with it arrive at their operation date in better condition, and many find that the restrictive practice makes the post-surgical diet feel less like a shock.

That said, 1,200 calories is genuinely difficult to sustain. Hunger, fatigue, and constipation are common in the early days as your body adjusts to the caloric deficit. There's also real risk of nutrient deficiencies if the diet isn't carefully planned or if patients don't take recommended supplements. Perhaps most concerning, rapid weight loss significantly increases gallstone risk—one of the key reasons this diet requires medical supervision rather than self-guided implementation.

Is It Evidence-Based?

While the "Dr. Now Diet" itself isn't a published scientific protocol, its design aligns with substantial research on very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) and pre-operative bariatric nutrition. Studies consistently show that VLCDs in the 800–1,200 calorie range improve operative visibility and reduce liver fat within 2–4 weeks. The high-protein, low-carb pattern helps preserve lean mass during rapid loss. And proper supervision ensures hydration, electrolyte balance, and safe medication adjustments throughout the process.

Who Should Not Follow It Without Supervision

Several groups face elevated risks on very-low-calorie diets. People with diabetes who take insulin or sulfonylureas can experience dangerous hypoglycemia when calories drop this sharply. Those with kidney or gallbladder disease need careful monitoring. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not attempt severe caloric restriction. And anyone with a history of eating disorders or extreme restriction may find that this diet triggers unhealthy patterns. Because the calorie level is so low, medical monitoring isn't optional—it's essential for safety.

Make It Easier with Meal Planning

If your healthcare team has you following a clinical plan like this, having protein-forward meals ready to go removes one major obstacle. Explore our rotating High-Protein Meal Plans for options that align with low-calorie, high-protein protocols, or customize your own selections with Build-a-Meal Plan. You can check exact macros for any meal on our Nutrition Info page.

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FAQs

Is the Dr. Now diet always 1,200 calories?

Public write-ups commonly cite around 1,200 calories per day split into 2–3 meals with no snacks, but clinicians adjust calories, protein, and meal structure to the individual patient's needs and health status.

How long do patients follow it?

Usually 2–4 weeks before surgery, sometimes longer under doctor supervision. It's designed as a pre-operative protocol, not a permanent maintenance diet.

Does it really shrink the liver?

Yes. Pre-operative low and very-low-calorie diets have been shown to reduce liver volume by approximately 5–20% in clinical studies, which makes bariatric surgery safer and easier to perform.

What are the main risks?

Potential side effects include fatigue, constipation, micronutrient shortfalls if poorly planned, and increased gallstone risk with rapid weight loss. This is why medical monitoring is essential.

Is it keto?

Not exactly. While it's lower in carbs and sugar, it's not strictly ketogenic. The focus is on protein intake and calorie control rather than achieving ketosis.

Can someone do it without surgery planned?

Only under medical supervision. Unmonitored use of very-low-calorie diets can lead to nutrient deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, dizziness, and other serious side effects.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalized professional advice.

References

What the plan looks like (public overview): 1,200-calorie, 2–3 meals, no snacks; protein-forward, low sugar/refined carbs; short-term, supervised use. Healthline review

Nowzaradan Y. The Scale Does Not Lie, People Do. 2019.

Low-calorie diets before benign upper GI surgery: Systematic review, 2024.

Optimizing Nutritional Management Before and After Bariatric Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide for Sustained Weight Loss and Metabolic Health. Nutrients, 2025.

Why surgeons use pre-op diets: Bariatric programs commonly require short pre-op diets to shrink the liver and reduce abdominal fat. ASMBS Patient FAQ

Effect on liver size and feasibility: VLCDs reduce liver volume and aid surgery; e.g., 5–20% reductions. Holderbaum 2018 systematic review · Chakravartty 2019 RCT

VLCD safety (short-term, supervised): Classic and consensus statements on efficacy/safety when medically monitored. National Task Force 1993 · Wadden 1983 review

Protein guidance around bariatric care: Minimum ~60 g/day (individualized up to 1.5–2.1 g/kg IBW). Mechanick et al., Clinical Practice Guidelines

Gallstones and rapid weight loss: Rapid loss increases risk; counsel and monitor. NIDDK: Dieting & Gallstones · Stokes 2021 review · Yang 1992