By Claire McDonnell Liu, Nutritionist, Leafie.org. Review Dr Rod Tayler
For years, low-carb and keto diets have been dismissed as fads, or even dangerous. Critics claim they lack essential nutrients, increase heart disease risk, and shorten lifespan.
Now, a landmark 2025 paper, ‘Myths and Facts Regarding Low-Carbohydrate Diets‘, has taken a major step forward in setting the record straight on low-carb nutrition. Published in the journal Nutrients (Teicholz et al., 2025), the study introduces the first-ever peer-reviewed Low-Carb/Keto Food Pyramid. Authored by leading researchers, including Nina Teicholz, Mark Cucuzzella, Richard David Feinman, this paper challenges outdated dietary advice and provides a science-backed approach to nutrition.
The peer-reviewed food pyramid provides a credible nutritional option for anyone managing type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and many other metabolic health-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s. With increasing rates of diabetes and metabolic disease in the US, Australia and beyond, this new pyramid offers much-needed clarity to address diet-related disease.
Why This Matters
Most government dietary guidelines still promote high-carb foods like grains and cereals, despite mounting evidence that low-carb diets are highly effective for weight loss, diabetes control, and metabolic health (Ludwig et al., 2021). The new food pyramid offers a science-backed alternative that prioritises nutrient-rich whole foods over outdated carb-heavy and often ultra-processed food recommendations.
This ties into the growing Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, championed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which calls for greater transparency and personal choice in healthcare. The new food pyramid provides people with metabolic diseases credible alternative nutritional guidance – free from the influence of food corporations and outdated government policies.
Busting Nutrition Myths
The new paper directly addresses the most common myths surrounding low-carb diets:
- “Low-carb diets lack essential nutrients” – A well-formulated low-carb or keto diet provides all the necessary vitamins and minerals (Feinman et al., 2024).
- “Low-carb diets cause heart disease” – Research shows carbohydrate reduction eating patterns may improve key markers like blood sugar, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol (Bazzando et al, 2014) (Bhanpuri, N.H, 2018).
- “Low-carb diets increase mortality” – Claims that cutting carbs shortens lifespan are based on flawed studies that fail to distinguish between processed and whole-food low-carb diets (Volek et al, 2021).
- “Low-carb diets have dangerous side effects” – Poorly formulated diets can cause issues, but a properly structured low-carb diet is safe and effective (Teicholz et al, 2025).
The Low-Carb/Keto Food Pyramid
Unlike conventional food pyramids, which place grains at the foundation, this new model focuses on nutrient-dense whole foods:
- Base: Non-starchy vegetables, healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds)
- Middle: Quality proteins (meat, fish, eggs, dairy)
- Top: Occasional low-carb fruits (berries), nuts, and dark chocolate
The Metabolic Health Pyramid
For those managing metabolic disease this evidence-based food pyramid provides a clear, science-backed alternative to the conventional dietary guidelines, supporting better health outcomes.
By challenging outdated nutritional advice, this research evolves recognition of low-carb diets as effective therapeutic options, reinforcing the importance of nutrition that empowers individuals to make informed dietary choices.
Read the full paper here: ‘Myths and Facts Regarding Low-Carbohydrate Diets‘,
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