Neal Barnard

Neal Barnard is an American physician, adjunct professor of medicine at George Washington University, and the founder and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a non-profit he started in 1985 to promote plant based nutrition and alternatives to animal research. He has led many randomized trials of a low-fat vegan diet.

Best known for

Trials of a low-fat vegan diet for type 2 diabetes, including a 2006 study that compared it with the American Diabetes Association diet; his book Dr. Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes sets out the approach.

Approach

A low-fat vegan diet with no calorie limit, built on four food groups: whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruit. He favours foods with a low glycemic index, keeps oils and other fatty foods to a minimum, and singles out cheese as a food to drop.

Main talking points

• He teaches that fat building up inside muscle and liver cells, rather than carbohydrate, drives insulin resistance.
• On a low-fat vegan diet there is no need to count calories or measure portions.
• Cheese is dense in calories, saturated fat and salt, which is why he calls it a trap.
• Food choices affect hormones, from menstrual pain to the hot flashes of menopause.
• Diet also matters for the brain, the theme of his book Power Foods for the Brain.

Books

• Your Body in Balance2020
• Dr. Neal Barnard's Cookbook for Reversing Diabetes Dr. Neal Barnard's Cookbook for Reversing Diabetes2018
• The Cheese Trap The Cheese Trap2017
• Power Foods for the Brain Power Foods for the Brain2013
• 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart2011
• The Get Healthy, Go Vegan Cookbook2010
• Dr. Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes2007
• Breaking the Food Seduction2003
• Turn Off the Fat Genes2001
• Foods That Fight Pain1998
• Eat Right, Live Longer1995
• Food for Life1993