Low Fat Plant-based Diet Effects on Body Composition Indices

The effect of a diet free from animal-sourced nutrients on body composition in weight reduction programs is not well established. In this non-randomised free living interventional case-control study, the investigators will document the effects of a 10-week, low-fat, plant-based diet supplemented with two daily plant-based meal replacements on body composition indices measured with bioimpedance analysis. Control subjects will be exposed to weekly lectures on the rationale and expected benefits of plant-based nutrition. The investigators hypothesise that low-fat plant based diet supplemented with meal replacements eaten ad libitum allows a significant reduction of body fat without the loss of lean tissue.

This study is designed as a non-randomized, interventional case-control trial, followed by a post-intervention survey of a free living diet optimizing program.

The dietary intervention is executed in free living conditions with participants engaging in their regular daily work and social activities. The plant-based dietary plan includes 3 conventional meals based on starch nutrients (potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, oatmeal, integral pasta, beans, peas, lentils and similar), fruits (seasonal fruits and various berries) and non-starch vegetables (brassicas, leafy vegetables) and 2 plant based meal replacements. Spices and tomato sauce (without oil) and one regular-sized spoon of flax seed is recommended as well. The participants are recommended to consume no more than 5-6 grams of salt per day. All milk and dairy products, vegetable oils and fats are excluded from the diet. Meat is allowed (but not recommended) once weekly. Two meal replacements are prepared by mixing two scoops of the registered plant-based commercially available nutritional powder (Herbalife European Free From vanilla low GI meal replacement with added plants and herbs, without gluten, lactose or soy, source of protein from pea)) with oat meal and fluid (water or plant milk without oil) thus yielding a 250-400 ml of shake. The total macronutrient composition of the intervention diet is approximated/targeted to 15% protein, 70% carbohydrates and 15% fat. Dietary fibre content is approximated to 40-45 g per day.

No calorie count or limits are instituted to test the hypothesis that ad libitum intake of interventional diet allows significant body fat reduction.

Participants who, after an introductory program presentation, opt not to follow the proposed dietary intervention including meal replacements, but only to attend the lectures on health effects of a low-fat plant-based diet, adjust their diet by their own judgment and attend weekly body composition follow-up measurements, serve as controls.

All participants are followed at weekly intervals. Evaluation of dietary diaries and meal photographs are used to correct and adjust deviations from the targeted dietary plan and to help participants prepare the meals according to the dietary plan. Weekly lectures about the rationale and guidance on attaining the low-fat plant-based diet are given to all subjects (intervention and control group).

Differences between groups will be tested with t-test for unpaired and paired samples, as appropriate. Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests will be used for non-normally distributed data. Chi-square test will be used for categorical variables. Differences between cases and controls will be tested with analysis of covariance (general linear model), with adjustment for baseline variable status, age and sex.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Self selected free-living participants older than 18 years of age
* Non overweight, overweight, obese
* Sign informed consent for participation in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or lactating women, patients with dietary restrictions from a treating physician and patients with active malignant disease are excluded from the study
* Already on plant-based (vegan) diet
* Competitive or top level athletes
* Subjects who take part in any other interventional dietary program