Eat a well-planned vegetarian diet for a low-calorie, healthy way to lose weight without feeling like you are always hungry. Dieters choose vegetarian diets because they primarily consist of vegetables and fruits that are low in calories. If you enjoy eating meat, you can make your favorite meals by creatively substituting vegetable-based, non-meat ingredients that provide meat-like texture and flavor.
Pescatarian
A pescatarian does not eat meat and poultry, but does include fish as a source of protein. If you are new to eating vegetarian, this is an ideal transition, because you can eat the complete proteins from fish as you adjust to eating complete proteins from vegetables. Fish sautéed in minimal oil, or grilled or baked instead of deep fried, provides healthy, low-calorie nutrition. When you eat fish, avoid heavy cream and butter sauces that are high in fat calories. Serve a piece of fish on top of a large salad, or have a small side of seasoned brown rice. If you like cold soups in the summer, make a ceviche which has a raw citrus stock, fresh fish, tomatoes and onions.
Ovo-Vegetarian
An ovo-vegetarian does not eat meat, poultry, fish or dairy, but does eat eggs. This diet is stricter than the pescatarian or traditional vegetarian diet, which if well-planned can reduce your calories. Use moderation when eating eggs -- one egg contains 70 calories and a whopping 250mg of cholesterol. The American Heart Association and USDA warn that high cholesterol can lead to heart disease and strongly suggests eating up to 300mg of cholesterol per day. Select vegetable-based complete proteins as your primary sources of low-cholesterol protein.
Vegan
The vegan diet omits meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs and anything that involves a living creature. This extends to honey, because it is made by bees and harvesting it disrupts their habitat. Vegans focus on vegetables, not refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta for the low-calorie approach to this diet.
Raw Food Diet
Eat raw foods yields swift weight loss results and takes a step beyond the vegan diet. The raw food diet excludes any food heated more than 118 degrees F. Raw food diets consist of protein-based foods such as ground flaxseed, chia and hemp seed, sprouted legumes and quinoa and raw nuts. Bridge the transition to a raw food diet with smoothies made of berries, apples, ice and chia seeds, or eat hearty salads to make the switch to low-calorie vegetarian diet easier.
Member Comments