The Low Carb Whole Foods (LCWFs) program is a medicalised version of a weight loss program. The program is holistic, and goals are individualised, targeting metabolic repair. By improving metabolic health, we have the potential to reverse lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and fatty liver disease, while reducing the risk of developing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, dementia and several cancers. Metabolic repair is associated with improvements in symptoms such as low mood, irritability, tiredness, and cognitive fog. Weight loss is consequence of improving metabolic health and is a bonus; it is not the primary goal of the program.  

The Low Carb Whole Foods (LCWFs) program is not a ketogenic dietary program. While highly effective in improving health and achieving weight loss, ketogenic diets are generally much more restrictive and can be challenging to maintain. The LCWFs program is life-long. Dietary changes therefore need to be realistic and sustainable.  

Initially, Low Carb Whole Foods changes can be very challenging. However, the Low Carb Whole Foods approach isn’t designed to be a program of deprivation. Hunger is not a part of the program, and meals should remain delicious and exciting.  As the weeks pass, tastes will change, cravings become quieter, and LCWF changes become easier. Another challenge to consider is the availability of an immense amount of information regarding “low carb” and “ketogenic” diets, which can be contradictory at times. Please keep a list of questions and concerns that we can answer in upcoming visits. It is important to stick to the rules for the first 3-6 months. At this point participants should have the ability to reflect on dietary changes and will be capable of determining where they fit on the continuum of LCWFs.  

In stage 1 we aim to achieve metabolic, physical and psychological health. The schedule below is a basic skeleton of the consultation plan. The program is individualised and consequently, consultation targets might change to better address individual patient needs.  

• Visit 1: involves taking a detailed history, completing questionnaires, and arranging investigations. This will enable the identification of lifestyle-related health conditions, which will be used to guide the development of individual goals. Strategies to improve quality of sleep and stress will be introduced.  Suitable “homework” will be prescribed, and some simple dietary changes will be recommended.  

• Visit 2: Results will be discussed, and individual treatment goals will be updated based on these results. The science behind the dietary changes implemented in the LCWFs program will be discussed. This empowers participations to make informed decisions about food choices. Practical advice will be provided to facilitate the implementation of LCWF dietary changes.  

• Visit 3: This is more of a questions and answers session. This is typically a time when challenges are raised, and strategies are discussed to mitigate these challenges.  

• Visit 4: Bring along a food diary. We will review basic concepts and further dietary changes will be recommended. By this time, participants should be easing into the program and enjoying some of the benefits of dietary changes, such as improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms, energy levels, mental fog, and mood.  

• In subsequent visits, the concept of “intuitive eating” will be introduced, which essentially means learning to eat when hungry. The practice of intuitive eating combined with LCWFs allows the progression to intermittent fasting with ease. Further changes will also be introduced to improve the gut biome and the intake of anti vs pro-inflammatory foods.  

• Medications are an option at any stage of the program. It is important to acknowledge that the Low Carb Whole Foods changes are the main strategy used to achieve health outcomes. Medications can be used as a tool in this process. This strategy is employed to avoid reliance on medications for long-term weight loss maintenance.  

• Towards the end of the “reset” stage, we will start to discuss exercise. Like medications, exercise is a tool used in the program and not a primary means of achieving outcomes. Exercise choice is individualised and based on factors such as psychosocial and physical capacity.  

• At about 3 months after dietary changes have been implemented, we will arrange for repeat blood tests and review goals.  Over the duration of the program, we will be reviewing metabolic changes in the form of reported symptoms, progress imaging, and blood test results. BMI is not a good descriptor of health status, and therefore a poor indicator in determining success. Weight goals will be determined by the achievement of optimal metabolic health and disease reversal and not BMI. Phase one is completed once these goals are achieved. 

Essentially the “maintenance phase” involves ongoing support and education to help maintain changes implemented and defend against weight regain. It is anticipated that at times patients will “fall of the wagon” and we will use various strategies to help stay on track.  This phase is life-long and follow up appoints are determined according to patient need.