Dr. Sriram Madhav Nene, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, recently reflected on his personal experiences with various dietary regimens. Speaking during a session at Masters’ Union University, the physician shared insights into the challenges and physical tolls that came with experimenting with restrictive eating patterns, including the Atkins diet and veganism.
Addressing the common trend of medical professionals neglecting their own wellness, Dr. Nene remarked that doctors are often the “worst patients.” He suggested that the constant exposure to high-pressure medical environments may cause practitioners to adopt a somewhat detached attitude toward their own health. In his quest to find an optimal dietary approach, he recounted several personal experiments conducted over the years.
One notable dietary trial began after a patient challenged him to lose weight. Dr. Nene recalled a patient who required an aortic valve surgery but was advised to lose weight first to ensure the procedure’s success. “I told her, ‘Ma’am, if I operate on you, we’re going to have a problem closing your sternum and making sure it sticks.’ When she asked what she should do, I said, ‘You need to lose a little weight.’ She retorted, ‘Why don’t you lose weight?’” he shared.
To support his patient, the surgeon committed to the Atkins diet alongside her. The regimen, which prioritizes high protein and fat intake while strictly limiting carbohydrates, proved effective in terms of weight loss. Dr. Nene noted that he reached 158 pounds during the process, to the extent that colleagues and nurses became concerned about his health, questioning if he was ill due to his gaunt appearance. The patient also successfully reached her weight goal, allowing for a successful surgery.
However, the Atkins diet presented significant physiological drawbacks. Dr. Nene described suffering from severe muscle cramps that hindered basic mobility, such as climbing stairs. He noted that although the plan allowed for high-fat consumption, the exclusion of carbohydrates ultimately made the regimen difficult to sustain over the long term.
Beyond the Atkins experience, Dr. Nene discussed his attempt to follow a vegan lifestyle. He found the transition particularly demanding regarding his protein intake. Despite incorporating multiple pea protein shakes daily and consuming high-protein plant-based staples like tofu, edamame, and rajma, he found the diet uncomfortable. He humorously recounted the physical aftermath of his high-fiber plant intake, stating that he felt like a “gas bomb” while adhering to the regimen.
The surgeon also detailed his previous engagement with the SHRED diet, which centers on caloric restriction and high-protein, low-carbohydrate consumption. During that period, he combined intermittent fasting—limiting his last meal to 8 pm—with a rigorous workout routine consisting of six sessions per week, split between strength training and spin classes. He maintained that his approach to both his health and his patients’ care remains rooted in treating individuals with the same concern he would afford his own family, noting that this perspective guides his professional decision-making.
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