Several good programs help groups eat and live better. They differ in length, food approach, faith content, and who they're built for. Here's how they line up, based on each program's own published information as of October 2026.
| WPU | Daniel Plan | Pivio (formerly CHIP) | CDC National DPP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Small group, in person or online | Church and small-group campaigns; video study | Group cohort; self-guided option (Pivio Now) | In person or online, led by a trained lifestyle coach |
| Length | 9 weeks, about 1 hour a week | 6-session "40 Days" study | 12 weeks, 18 sessions | 1 year (16+ sessions in the first 6 months) |
| Food approach | Plant-forward: whole plants first, meat optional | Whole foods; plate is half vegetables, a quarter animal or plant protein, a quarter starch | Lifestyle medicine; from a company that has long promoted plant-based foods | Healthy eating and modest weight loss; no specific diet pattern required |
| Faith content | Optional church track; core program is secular | Faith-based (Faith is one of its Five Essentials) | None | None |
| Shared meal | Built into every session | Not central | Not central | No |
| Who it's sold to | Churches, dietitians, kitchens, pharmacies, clinics, workplaces, community groups | Churches and workplaces | Health plans, employers, health systems, physician practices | Delivered by CDC-recognized organizations; covered by some insurers and Medicare |
| Cost | Free during founding period | Leader resources free; books and kits sold | Not published | Varies; often covered for eligible people |
| Evidence | Built on studied principles; program data being collected | Reports congregation results; see its site | Publishes outcome studies | Landmark randomized trial: 58% fewer diabetes cases |
Which is right for your group?
- Choose the CDC National DPP if participants have prediabetes and you want a reimbursable, yearlong program. You'll need CDC recognition or a recognized partner.
- Choose the Daniel Plan if your church wants a faith-first program whose plate includes animal protein.
- Choose Pivio if you're a health plan or large employer looking for a clinically studied, 12-week lifestyle medicine program.
- Choose WPU if you want a shorter, low-cost, plant-forward program built around a shared meal, that a volunteer can lead in a church, kitchen, clinic, or community room.
These programs can also work together. A pharmacy running the National DPP, for example, can use WPU's recipes and pantry lessons as a cooking companion.
Program details change. If anything here is out of date, tell us at [email protected] and we'll fix it.
