If you are looking for a low-calorie diet plan to help you lose weight and improve your health you might have heard of Dr. Nowzaradan’s 1200-calorie diet plan. Dr. Nowzaradan, or Dr. Now as he is popularly known is a bariatric surgeon who appears on the reality TV show “My 600-lb Life”. He helps morbidly obese patients undergo weight loss surgery and adopt a healthier lifestyle. One of the key components of his program is a strict 1200-calorie diet plan that he prescribes to his patients before and after the surgery.
The diet plan is exactly as the name suggests. You switch to a diet where you only consume 1200 calories in a day. In this article, we will take a detailed look at who Dr. Now is what is his diet plan and why he suggests it.
The first thing that will pop into your head right now is why 1200 calories? It could have been 1000 calories or 900 calories so why is it called Dr. Nowzaradan’s 1200-Calorie diet plan?
The two main reasons are; it is the optimal calorie count for highly overweight people, and it is easier to stay on because it reduces hunger hormones. Aside from all this we will also tell you some suggestions from Dr. Now that you can follow for a healthy diet and a healthier lifestyle.
What is the 1200-calorie diet plan?
The 1200-calorie diet plan is a low-calorie, high-protein, low-carb and low-fat diet that aims to create a calorie deficit of about 1000 calories per day. This means you consume fewer calories than you burn, leading to weight loss. The diet plan also helps to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, improve blood sugar levels and prevent nutritional deficiencies.
The 1200-calorie diet plan consists of three meals and one snack per day each containing about 300 calories and the snack containing about 100 calories. The meals mainly contain lean protein sources such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and low-fat dairy products. The diet also includes some complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables but in limited amounts. The diet restricts simple carbohydrates such as sugar, white bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes and unhealthy fats such as butter, oil, cheese and fried foods.
The 1200-calorie diet plan is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Dr. Now customizes the diet plan according to each patient’s medical condition, weight loss goals and preferences. He also monitors the patient’s progress and adjusts the diet plan.
Who is Dr. Nowzaradan?
Dr. Now, whose complete name is Dr. Younan Nowzaradan is a surgeon and author of Iranian descent and specializes in bariatric surgery. He has been serving Americans for the past three decades helping them switch to a healthier lifestyle.
His most notable service is helping morbidly obese people to transform their lives so they can enjoy the day-to-day aspect of their lives instead of having to sit on a sofa all day. He rose to fame with a TV show named My 600-lb Life which showed the diets and procedures of Dr. Now to help overweight people.
He also wrote multiple books to motivate and help people lose weight and enjoy a better life. The 1200-Calorie Diet plan serves the same purpose; to help people lose weight easily. You will find the complete diet plan in this article.
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Basic Facts About Dr. Nowzaradan:
- Dr. Nowzaradan was born in Iran in 1944 & he is a practicing Muslim.
- He got his Doctor Of Medicine degree in 1970 from the University Of Tehran.
- He did his Medical Orientation Program in 1971 at St. Louis University.
- He did Surgical Internship at St. Jhon Hospital in Detroit and Surgical Residency at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville.
- He has over 20 years of experience in Laparoscopic surgery and Bariatric surgery.
Benefits of Dr. Nowzaradan’s Diet Plan:
There are plenty of low calory diets you can follow to lose some weight without having to go through surgery. However, if you are morbidly obese, the Dr.
Now diet plan is the best option out there for you right now. Here are a few notable benefits of Fr. Nowzaradan’s 1200-Calorie diet plan
Quick weight loss
It can help you lose weight quickly and safely. The 1200-calorie diet plan can help you shed pounds faster than other diets by creating a large calorie deficit. Studies have shown that low-calorie diets can result in an average weight loss of 8% to 13% of body weight in six months.
Reduces the risks of obesity
It can improve your health and reduce the risk of obesity-related complications. Losing weight can lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and inflammation levels. This can reduce the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, joint pain and other health problems associated with obesity.
Reduces the risks associated with the surgery.
It can prepare you for weight loss surgery or enhance its results. If you are planning to undergo weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, following the 1200-calorie diet plan can help you shrink your liver and lose some excess weight before the surgery. This can make the surgery safer and easier to perform. After the surgery, continuing the 1200-calorie diet plan can help you lose weight and prevent complications such as dumping syndrome or malnutrition.
Develops long-lasting healthy eating habits.
Developing long-lasting healthy eating habits is essential for maintaining good physical and mental health. Healthy eating habits can help prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Healthy eating habits can also improve mood, energy and cognitive performance such as the 1200-calorie diet plan.
What are the challenges of the 1200-calorie diet plan?
The 1200-calorie diet plan is not without its challenges. Some of the challenges are
Not an easy-to-follow and sustain
It cannot be easy to follow and sustain. The 1200-calorie diet plan requires a lot of discipline and commitment to stick to it. You may feel hungry, tired, irritable, or deprived while following the diet. You may also face social pressure or temptation from family, friends, or coworkers who do not understand or support your diet.
Health risks
It can cause side effects or health risks if not done properly. The 1200-calorie diet plan can cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, constipation, or hair loss due to rapid weight loss or nutrient imbalance. If you have any medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease, you should consult your doctor before starting the diet. You should also take supplements such as multivitamins or calcium to prevent deficiencies.
Designed for those who are willing to lose weight
It is not suitable for everyone or long-term use. The 1200-calorie diet plan is designed for people who are morbidly obese and need to lose weight quickly for medical reasons. It is not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, children or adolescents, the elderly, athletes, or people who have a normal or healthy weight. It is also not meant to be followed for more than six months without medical supervision.
Foods Permitted In Dr. Now’s Diet Plan:
It is a well-known fact that if you want to live a long and healthy life you need to infuse vegetables into your diet. They bring the right amount of nutrition into your diet without having to consume too many calories so if you want to lose weight, vegetables are the way to go.
Dr. Nowzaradan also encourages his patients to switch to vegetables and proteins before and after surgery as well. Here is a list of foods that the patients are allowed to consume during their 1200-calorie diet plan:
- Low-calorie drinks.
- Low-sugar fruit.
- Meat and poultry.
- Seafood and fish.
- Nutritional vegetables.
- Dairy.
List Of Foods Not Allowed By Dr. Nowzaradan:
A 1200-calorie diet plan will have many restrictions. You can only consume 1200 calories in 24 hours. This means you need to be very careful about what you eat. You should avoid high-sugar and high-carbohydrate foods. Here’s a list of foods to avoid:
- Cakes and pies.
- Artificial sweeteners.
- Energy drinks, carbonated soft drinks.
- Rice.
- Potatoes.
- Cereal chips.
- Meal supplements.
- Crackers and processed snacks.
- Jams
- Jellies.
- Candied & dried fruits.
- Orange, cranberry and grape juice.
- Bread.
Aside from these processed food items you will also need to avoid the following fruits:
- Banana.
- Cantaloupe.
- Watermelon.
When we say not allowed we actually mean completely prohibited. You might as well forget that these foods exist until you have completed the plan in his mind. If you want to reap the full benefits of this 1200-calorie diet plan we suggest you stay away from these fruits, snacks, and juices at all times.
Dr. Nowzaradan’s Diet Plan
The purpose behind Dr. Nowzaradan’s Diet Plan is to aid his patients in losing weight fast to prepare them for their surgery and decrease the chance of complications and adverse effects.
The kinds of surgeries Dr. is currently seeing patients for are risky. Although many of these procedures are becoming popular, they’re invasive and restricting procedures that range from gastric sleeves to lap band systems to gastric plication surgeries, which shrink the stomach’s size and restrict the amount of food you can consume at a time which makes you feel fuller more quickly.
The diet plan is quite simple; you have to adjust your food intake to a maximum of 1200 calories a day. There are a total of EIGHT food groups out of which ONE is completely prohibited.
So, you will have to choose from the SEVEN remaining food groups, i.e., grains, dairy, meat, fruits & vegetables, nutrients, fats & oils, fiber and salt. The prohibited group is sugar, which you should completely remove from your diet.
If you’re looking to lose weight and eat healthy foods, you already know which foods are permitted and prohibited. It is a good idea to contact Dr. Nowzaradan to get a detailed menu according to your medical history and health. If you’re creating the menu, you should not exceed 1200 calories.
How to succeed with the 1200-calorie diet plan?
The 1200-calorie diet plan is a popular way to lose weight and improve health. It involves limiting your daily calorie intake to 1200 calories, which is about 500 calories less than the average adult needs. The 1200-calorie diet plan can help you create a calorie deficit which means you burn more calories than you consume. This can lead to weight loss, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and lower risk of diabetes and heart disease.
However, the 1200-calorie diet plan is not suitable for everyone. It may be too restrictive for some people, especially those who are very active, pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain medical conditions. It may also cause nutrient deficiencies, hunger, fatigue and mood swings if not done properly.
Tips to succeed with the 1200-calorie diet plan are:
- Choose nutrient-dense foods that are low in calories but high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These include lean meats, eggs, fish, beans, nuts, seeds, low-fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Avoid foods that are high in calories but low in nutrients. These include processed foods, fast foods, fried foods, sweets, pastries, sodas, alcohol and juices.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and to help you feel full.
- Eat smaller portions and use smaller plates and bowls to control your calorie intake.
- Eat slowly and mindfully and stop when you are satisfied, not when you are stuffed.
- Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time and stick to your calorie budget.
- Track your calories using an app or a journal to monitor your progress and make adjustments if needed.
- Allow yourself some occasional treats in moderation and do not deprive yourself of your favorite foods.
- Exercise regularly to burn more calories and to improve your physical and mental health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two sessions of strength training per week.
- Get enough sleep and manage your stress levels to avoid emotional eating and cravings.
The 1200-calorie diet plan can be an effective way to lose weight and improve health if done correctly and safely. However, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution and it may not work for everyone.
Faqs about Dr. Nowzaradan’s Diet Plan
Which foods should you avoid according to Dr. Nowzaradan’s diet?
Dr. Now’s plan for diet is to rid their kitchens of food items that aren’t allowed during the diet. This is teaching them what food items to consume.
Similar to many diets that are low in calories it is designed to limit the amount of junk food that a person consumes and to replace these meals with healthy whole foods that offer the best nutritional value for the body (low carb high protein, low carb).
Which foods should you eat according to Dr. Nowzaradan’s diet?
For those who wish to achieve success in losing weight to reach the weight they were at before surgery which means significantly decreasing their daily calories intake and eating a diet that is high in protein and healthy food items, for example, spinach, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, celery, whole grains and fish.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dr. Nowzaradan’s 1200-calorie diet plan is a comprehensive approach to weight loss that emphasizes healthy eating habits and regular exercise. While it can be challenging to stick to at first, following this plan can lead to significant weight loss and improved overall health. As with any diet plan, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting and to make any necessary modifications to meet individual needs and goals.