Question 1

What is the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet?

Accepted Answer

The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet is a scientifically proven weight loss program developed by Australia's national science agency, the CSIRO. Unlike fad diets or quick fixes, it's designed to help Australians lose weight safely, improve their health, and build habits that last. At its core, the program focuses on balanced nutrition through meal plans created by Accredited Practising Dietitians, real food and practical recipes, sustainable weight loss with average results of 5-7% body weight loss in the first 12 weeks, and powerful support tools including food and exercise tracking, weight tracker, and My Journey AI-powered personal to-do list.

Question 2

How does the program work?

Accepted Answer

The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet is built around scientifically designed meal plans created by Australian based Accredited Practising Dietitians. These plans are tailored to different lifestyles and health goals, including Simple, Women's Wellbeing, Protein Balance, Foodies, Fast Start, Indulgence, Gut Health, and Gluten Free options. The program includes powerful digital tools: a food and exercise tracker to help you stay accountable, a weight tracker to see your progress, and My Journey, an AI-powered to-do list that gives you personalised guidance and next steps.

Question 3

Who is the diet suitable for, and can I follow it with dietary requirements?

Accepted Answer

The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet is designed for adults who want to lose weight, improve their health, and build long-term healthy eating habits. The program is particularly helpful for people who want a structured, science-backed approach to weight loss, prefer practical everyday meals, and value digital tools to stay on track. We offer dedicated programs for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and joint pain. Meal plan options include gluten free, high protein, and gut health-focused plans. The program is suitable for breastfeeding mothers with an additional allowance, but not suitable for people under 18 or women who are pregnant.

Question 4

What's included in my membership?

Accepted Answer

When you join the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, you get personalised meal plans created by Accredited Practicing Dietitians, hundreds of family-friendly recipes you can swap and customise, weekly shopping lists, food and exercise tracker, weight tracker, My Journey interactive AI-powered to-do list, expert tips and resources, and dedicated programs for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and joint pain. You can also choose to kickstart your journey with Fast Start shakes, our optional meal replacement program.

Question 5

How much does the program cost?

Accepted Answer

Membership to the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet is designed to be affordable and great value for money. You'll get access to personalised meal plans, powerful digital tools, and expert resources for less than the cost of a daily coffee. We offer flexible membership options to suit your budget and goals, optional Fast Start meal replacement shakes, and a full refund of up to $199 if you complete and adhere to the online program. Members who receive a refund lose on average 28% more weight than other members, amounting to an extra 1.4 kg over the 12 weeks of the program.

Question 6

Do I need to cook special meals?

Accepted Answer

No - the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet is designed to fit into everyday Australian life, so you don't need to cook separate diet food. Our meal plans use simple, affordable ingredients from the supermarket and include recipes the whole family can enjoy. You'll find quick, fuss-free options for busy nights, budget-friendly meals using everyday ingredients, family-friendly recipes so you don't need to cook twice, flexible choices so you can swap meals, and a smart shopping list function that automatically creates your weekly grocery list.

Question 7

How much weight can I expect to lose?

Accepted Answer

Weight loss results vary from person to person, but CSIRO research shows that members who follow the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet achieve clinically significant outcomes. On average, members lose 5.3% of their body weight overall. Among those who complete 12 weeks and use the weight loss tools, the average increases to 7.3% of body weight. Over the long term, 64% of members lose an average of 11.9% of their body weight in one year, showing that the program delivers lasting change.

Question 8

Is exercise part of the program?

Accepted Answer

The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet is first and foremost a food-based weight loss program - your results come mainly from following the scientifically designed meal plans. Exercise is encouraged as a way to support your weight loss and improve your overall health, but it's not essential to see results. Even if you're not exercising, you can still expect to lose weight. If you do want to include exercise, the program offers simple, optional exercise plans designed for different fitness levels, home-based workouts with little or no equipment, and a food and exercise tracker so you can log your activity when you choose.

Question 9

What kind of support is available?

Accepted Answer

The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet provides tools, resources, and real people to help you succeed. With your membership, you'll have access to a motivating Facebook community, group coaching webinars led by experts, one-on-one health coaching sessions (available at an additional cost), My Journey AI-powered interactive to-do list, food and exercise tracker, weight tracker, practical tips and resources from CSIRO dietitians, and smart shopping lists to make healthy eating easier.

Question 10

Does the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet have side effects?

Accepted Answer

No - the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet is a natural, food-based weight loss program with no medical side effects. Because it's built on balanced nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits, it's safe, sustainable, and designed for long-term wellbeing. The program focuses on real food and practical meal plans created by CSIRO dietitians, healthy lasting weight loss without compromising your health, and better overall wellbeing, including improvements to energy, fitness, and confidence.

Media Centre

Media Enquiries

Smarter protein, not more: Sunrise

Shaking up weight loss: Channel 7

Know your Healthy Diet Score: Sunrise

How Terry lost 100 kg* and kept it off: Studio 10

Kill your cravings with CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Dietitian Pennie McCoy: Studio 10

Lose weight & cash in with members Brian Thomas and Terry Munro: Nine News

How Terry lost 100 kg with the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet: Sunrise

The refund incentive helped Lisa lose more weight: Nine News

Refund incentive: Channel 7 News

Long-term success: ABC News Channel

Go hard, early: Nine News

Start Strong: Channel 10 News

Go hard from the beginning: Channel 7 News

Terry reaches 100 kg weight loss goal in isolation: Nine News

CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet on Sunrise Morning Show

One of the world's largest scientific weight loss studies from the CSIRO reveals how to lose more weight: 7 News

CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet on Channel 9 News

Channel 10 analyses the latest study from the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet

The Morning Show talks to CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet dietitian Pennie

Superstars Terry, Karen and dietitian Pennie: The Today Show

The Morning Show Talks to CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Dietitian Pennie

The Today Show talks to CSIRO Dr Gilly Hendrie about the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet

The Morning Show talks to Manny Noaks and Sarah

Dr Gilly Hendrie talks the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet on the Morning Show

A Current Affair talks with CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet member LeAnn's weight loss journey

CSIRO's Manny Noakes talks to The Morning Show about health and the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet