BACKGROUND: Whole food, low-fat, plant-based diets (WFLFPB) promote weight loss, reverse type 2 diabetes, heart disease and prevent other chronic diseases. Health promoters are unclear about the type of guidance needed to support individuals in a transition to this dietary pattern. METHODS: A 6-week randomized controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up tested the effectiveness of two levels of support for adopting a WFLFPB diet. Twenty-six healthy adults were randomly assigned into two intervention groups (SUPP; n=13 and INFO; n=13) and compared to a convenience control (CON; n =11) group asked not to change their dietary pattern. SUPP was given weekly group coaching sessions, nutrition information, email/ phone support, and 2 cooking classes. INFO was given the same nutrition information and email/phone support only. SUPP and INFO data included daily compliance surveys, and weekly blood pressure, weight, and percent body fat measures. CON had blood pressure, weight, and percent body fat measures at baseline, 6-weeks and 3-months follow-up. RESULTS: Participants in SUPP (n= 11) complied with the dietary parameters WFLFPB on 81.4% of the days recorded whereas INFO (n =11) group complied 74.9% of the days. Target macronutrient intake for the WFLFPB was 10:15:75 percent of calories from protein, fat, and carbohydrate, respectively. 60% of SUPP participants were within 10% of these ratios, 50% of INFO participants met these criteria while none of the CON participants did. Weight loss was -4.18±3.66 lb for SUPP, -1.93 ± 2.2 lb for INFO and +0.18 ± 2.2 lb for CON (n =11). Weight loss was significantly greater for both SUPP (p< 0.01) and INFO (p = 0.02) than CON but was not significantly different between the two treatments. Changes in percent body fat and blood pressure were not significant across the intervention period. CONCLUSION: Both groups were successful at losing weight, but weekly support meetings improved compliance