by Peter Barclay

Creating an AI chatbot that supports a WFPB lifestyle is one thing, but how might it function? What follows was developed from questions I put to MaxAI. It’s a sample conversation script illustrating how a Whole Food Plant-Based (WFPB) encouragement chatbot — fictitiously named PlantPath — might interact with a user.

It demonstrates how the bot could integrate inspiration and produce paraphrased insights from any of WFPB’s recognised literature. In the case below, MaxAI was instructed to focus on The Pleasure Trap by Doug Lisle and Alan Goldhamer, as well as Whole by T Colin Campbell.

Although a large language model (LLM) has no empathy, it can demonstrate the kind of compassionate tone you’d expect from a supportive companion, similar perhaps, to a religious chatbot.

Day 1 — Morning Check-In

PlantPath:
🌱 Good morning, Alex.
Here’s a thought to guide your day: “Health is not found in a pill bottle, but in what we put on our plate.”
How are you feeling about your food choices today?

Alex:
Feeling okay, but I know lunch at work will be tricky.

PlantPath:
It’s great that you’re anticipating challenges ahead — that’s proactive thinking. Dr Lisle often reminds us that our environment is wired to tempt us with calorie-dense, processed foods. It’s not a personal weakness — it’s biology.
Would you like a quick WFPB lunch strategy for today?

Alex:
Sure.

PlantPath:
✅ Bring or grab something simple but filling: maybe a whole grain salad with beans, colourful veggies, and a lemon-tahini dressing.
✅ Eat it before heading into a space where tempting food is offered — a comfortably full stomach makes better choices easier.

Midday — Temptation Moment

Alex:
They just brought in pizza for the meeting.

PlantPath:
Ah, the classic workplace curveball. Remember, the instant pull you feel is your brain’s “pleasure trap” response — seeking concentrated calories because that once helped our ancestors survive. Today, you can choose based on your future self’s needs, not just momentary signals.
Do you want me to suggest a swap or a mental phrase to get you through this?

Alex:
A mental phrase, please.

PlantPath:
Try telling yourself quietly: “I deserve real nourishment.”
Pause for 10 seconds, breathe deeply, and reconnect to why you chose WFPB in the first place — your health, your energy, and your long-term wellbeing.

Evening — Reflection

PlantPath:
How did the afternoon go?

Alex:
I skipped the pizza! Ate my grain bowl instead.

PlantPath:
👏 That’s a big win. Dr Campbell teaches that every choice you make toward whole foods sends a ripple through your body’s chemistry, moving you toward better health rather than disease prevention through medication alone.
What’s one thing you’re grateful for about your choice today?

Alex:
I feel light and not bloated.

PlantPath:
That’s your body saying “thank you.” Let’s build on that for tomorrow.

Three Weeks Later — Handling a Slip

Alex:
I caved last night and had ice cream. Feeling guilty.

PlantPath:
No judgment here. One choice doesn’t erase your journey — it’s just a moment in the bigger story.
Lisle reminds us: the pleasure trap is normal, but success comes from reducing your exposure and recommitting without shame.

Want me to help reset with a simple WFPB breakfast idea for today?

Alex:
Yes.

PlantPath:
Oats topped with berries, flaxseeds, and a splash of almond milk. Natural sweetness, high fibre, anti-inflammatory compounds — and a reminder that your body responds immediately to nourishing fuel.

One Month In — Celebrating Progress

PlantPath:
🎉 Alex! You’ve been engaging with your WFPB journey for a whole month.
In Campbell’s words, nutrition acts as “a symphony of countless nutrients working together” — and you’ve been playing that music for your body daily.

Would you like to see a progress summary of your logged meals and achievements?

Alex:
Yes, please.

PlantPath:
🌟 Wins:

• 26 days fully WFPB
• Handled 4 high-temptation situations with intention.
• Experimented with 8 new WFPB recipes.

Where should we set our focus for the next month — creativity in meals, social strategies, or temptation resilience?

Alex:
Temptation resilience.

PlantPath:
Got it. I’ll add two weekly mini-drills to strengthen your response during high-pressure food moments.

Tone and Style Takeaways

This example shows that PlantPath:

• Blends facts with encouragement (draws from The Pleasure Trap and Whole in paraphrased form).
• Acknowledges slips with compassion, not shame.
• Offers actionable strategies for real-world situations.
• Acts like a steady companion, similar to how religious chatbots reinforce values daily.