Go Vegetarian to Lose Weight
There are many advocates of weight loss that recommend a vegetarian diet for those looking to lose weight fast. A vegetarian diet coupled with regular exercise can increase the probability of weight loss, true, but the reasons behind it are more complex than most publications and commonly held opinions make them out to be.
Vegetarian vs. Vegan
First, it is important to distinguish between a vegetarian diet and a vegan one. A vegetarian is a person who abstains from meat yet consumes dairy products and eggs. A vegan abstains from consuming any and all animal products.
This is an important distinction because vegetarians are still able to consume large amounts of products that are high in fat and empty calories such as cheese, chips and mayonnaise. This is definitely counterproductive to achieving any significant weight loss.
Vegan diets can be very restrictive and people who practice them are less open to gaining weight, but essential elements of a well-balanced diet such as protein can be difficult to find replacements for.
The truth about Vegetarian Diets
Vegetarian weight loss can only be brought about by planning out a well-balanced and healthy meal schedule which allows for sufficient healthy calories to be ingested. The general rule of thumb is to ingest only as many calories as you can burn or convert into energy. A vegetarian who over-indulges will be an overweight vegetarian no matter how much of his actual diet consists of non-animal products.
Statistics show that while up to 6% of vegetarians are overweight, 5%-45% of non-vegetarians live with BMI’s that are way higher.
Why Do You Lose Weight?
Vegetarian weight loss is high due to the amount of complex carbohydrates, high-fiber foods and low-calorie meals that they take in. Complex carbohydrates are an important part of a good diet because they act as energy sources and help the body feel fuller along with high-protein food.
High-fiber food like bananas, oatmeal and potatoes help to cleanse the body and ensure good digestion. Bananas are especially good for helping with depression and for firming up bowel movement for a system still adjusting to a no-meat diet.
Vegetarians can eat more than meat-eaters since they take in less protein which makes them less full after a meal. Protein is an important component of a well-rounded diet, however, and although beans, leafy greens and other vegetables can act as protein sources, many vegetarians still rely on meat substitutes like cheese and peanut butter. Abuse of this, however, can lead to weight gain just as easily as a with-meat diet would.
Significant weight loss can indeed be attained through a vegetarian diet, but it would be good to consult a nutritionist as well as a trusted health care provider before adopting this new lifestyle. A well thought-out meal plan would be the best weapon in your weight loss arsenal as this reduces the risk of falling into fast food or junk food snacking routines.
For faster weight loss, it would also be good to get into Bikram yoga or Pilates in order to complement the new diet.
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