Vegetarian Weight Loss Tips

Overview

While many people automatically associate being a vegetarian with being skinny, the truth is that bad eating habits are still possible. If you avoid meat but spend the day eating pastries, weight gain is inevitable. For those who find themselves in that situation, the good news is that losing weight is a lot easier for vegetarians than it is for meat eaters.

Step 1

Be conscious of liquid calories, such as fruit juices. These are high in fructose, a natural sugar that affects your body in the exact same way as any other sugar: increased glucose and production of insulin. In short, you gain fat. So when you drink juices, control the amount. Squeeze the juice of just one orange, then fill the rest of the glass with water or soda.

Step 2

Drink water or herbal teas for most of the day. Or switch to vegetable juices, which contain few calories and basically no sugar. There are a few exceptions, such as carrots.

Step 3

Look for meat substitutes, also known as faux meat, to boost your protein intake without getting bored. Most products on the market are low in fat. One caution: Check the labels to make sure the protein content is higher than the carbohydrate content.

Step 4

Try tofu the simplest, the most complete protein in the vegetable world. It's low in calories and fat and can be combined with almost anything. Instead of frying tofu, bake it, marinate it or use it in stir-fry recipes. Ensuring that protein is part of each meal will increase your feeling of fullness while ensuring muscle fuel and energy. Also, look for products low in sodium, so you don't retain water.

Step 5

Control the amount of carbs you eat. Pastries, potatoes and packaged snacks, such as pretzels or chips, are easily available and may be the only vegetarian choice if you are shopping at a small convenience store. Switch to whole grains whenever possible.

Step 6

Use more beans. They're high in protein and fiber, making you feel full without adding too many calories. Choose canned beans that contain water, rather than refried beans or beans in sauces, as the calorie count is higher in the latter two. Wash beans well to get rid of excess sodium from the canning process.

Step 7

Have more veggies. Experiment with vegetables you haven't tried before or try out new recipes. If you substitute even two meals a week with a vegetable-based dish, you will save lots of calories.

Step 8

Bring along your own snacks. Nuts, unsweetened dried fruits and low-fat dairy products are all excellent alternatives to sugary carbs, and you won't have to look around for something suitable for vegetarians.