CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet

In May 2005, the CSIRO published a book called the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet which advocates a high meat and dairy intake diet as a way to lose weight. The book has attracted controversy, as it is based on research funded by Meat and Livestock Australia and by Dairy Australia, lobby groups for the meat and dairy industries. 

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, nutritionists Rosemary Stanton and Gyorgy Scrinis note that "The CSIRO's research was partly funded by the Meat and Livestock Industry and Dairy Australia. So it is no surprise the sponsors' products figure so highly in the recommended meals and weekly meal plans: beef, lamb and dairy products.

"The CSIRO's endorsement of a high-meat diet is perhaps an indication of the extent to which our scientists have taken on the role of consultants to industry in their bid to raise funds, and their willingness to deliver research findings that industry finds agreeable." 

The Book

 * Manny Noakes and Peter Clifton, The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, Penguin, Australia.
 * US: The Total Wellbeing Diet, NAL Trade Paperback (May 2, 2006) ISBN 0451219228

CSIRO materials

 * CSIRO, "CSIRO's Total Wellbeing Diet book: recipes for healthy eating and weight control, undated, accessed January 2006.*"CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)", CSIRO, February 2005.
 * CSIRO,"The word on weight loss and wellbeing:CSIRO’s new Total Wellbeing Diet book offers a successful weight loss program chock full of delectable recipes providing the nutrients required for health and vitality, December 2005.
 * "Total Wellbeing Diet is beneficial for public health: CSIRO stands by the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet", Media Release, January 9, 2006.

Articles About the Book

 * Gyorgy Scrinis and Rosemary Stanton, "A diet thin on science", The Age, August 29, 2005.
 * Judy Skatssoon, "CSIRO diet gets a grilling", ABC Science Online, August 29, 2005.
 * "Diet book attacked for its high-protein advice", Nature.com, December 21, 2005. (Subscription required).
 * Stephen Cauchi, "Peers turn up heat on CSIRO diet", The Age, December 28, 2005.
 * "Nutritionist concerned about CSIRO diet", The Age, January 7, 2006.
 * "CSIRO diet referred to PM", The Age, January 8, 2006.
 * "Red meat funds linked to diet advice", ABC Rural, January 9, 2006.
 * "CSIRO denies claims on red meat", 'The Advertiser'' (Adelaide), January 9, 2006.
 * "Medical experts backed", The Advertiser (Adelaide), January 10, 2006.
 * Jason Frenkel and Kate Jones, "Minister weighs into CSIRO diet debate", Herald Sun, January 10, 2006.
 * "Fire over best-selling diet book", Malaysia Star, January 10, 2006.
 * Rosemary Stanton, "Weighty questions over CSIRO diet", Letter to the Editor, Australian Financial Review, January 27, 2006.
 * Manny Noakes, "Diet based on healthy science", Australian Financial Review, January 31, 2005.
 * Alex Reisner, "CSIRO diet book continues to stir conflict", Australian Financial Review, February 8, 2006. (Sub req'd).
 * Rosemary Stanton, "CSIRO should stick to science", Australian Financial Review, February 13, 2006. (sub req'd).