Healthy plant‐based diets and their short‐term effects on weight loss, nutrient intake and serum cholesterol levels

Healthy plant-based diets (hPBD) are being promoted to reduce the risks of cardiovascular and associated diseases. This study investigates short-term adherence to a hPBD to examine whether these dietary changes impact weight and cardiovascular risk factors. A simple, uncontrolled, before and after design was used. Twenty women (mean BMI 31 ± 4 kg/m2) participated in a 6-week hPBD intervention. Participants completed a 3-week reset, eliminating all refined sugar, heavily processed foods, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, meat, fish, dairy and oil from their diets, which could then be reintroduced into their diet if the participant chose to do so. Participants had 1-h, weekly group support sessions. A weight loss of 4.4 kg, SD = 1.8 kg (n = 17, t = 10.2, p