Energy balance
A whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet, specifically low in fat (7-15% energy) and ad libitum (no calorie restriction), produces significant weight loss and BMI reduction in adults with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or cardiovascular risk factors, superior to standard care alone.
Adopt a whole food, plant-based diet that is low in fat (minimize oils, nuts, avocados) and high in starches (potatoes, bread, pasta, rice) and vegetables. Do not count calories; eat until you are full. Take a 50 mcg daily Vitamin B12 supplement. This approach has been shown to produce significant weight loss and improve metabolic markers in people with obesity and related conditions, without needing to restrict total energy intake or exercise.
At 6 months, mean BMI reduction was greater with the WFPB diet compared with normal care (4.4 vs 0.4, difference: 3.9 kg m− 2 (95% confidence interval (CI) ± 1), P o0.0001)... To the best of our knowledge, this research has achieved greater weight loss at 6 and 12 months than any other trial that does not limit energy intake or mandate regular exercise.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with a community-based design, though unblinded and with moderate dropout.
Source
The BROAD study: A randomised controlled trial using a whole food plant-based diet in the community for obesity, ischaemic heart disease or diabetes
Nicholas Wright et al. · Nutrition and Diabetes · 2017
DOI 10.1038/nutd.2017.3
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