Low Calorie Vegan Diets

Veganism is a relatively new concept in the United States, and vegans account for fewer than 1 percent of the American population, according to the Vegetarian Resource Group. However, vegan diets, which are more restrictive forms of vegetarian diets, have garnered interest in recent decades as weight loss plans. Several versions of the vegan diet are primarily made up of low-calorie foods that may help you reach your weight loss goals.

Strict Vegan Diet

A strict vegan diet does not include any ingredients derived from animals. Meats, eggs, honey, dairy products and gelatin are not acceptable in a strict vegan diet. This diet focuses on fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains. Strict vegans also typically replace meats with low-calorie items such as tofu, textured vegetable protein and tempeh, which are made from soybeans. Seitan, a food made from wheat gluten, is also an acceptable low-calorie meat replacement in a strict vegan diet.

Raw Food Diet

A raw food diet has the same restrictions as a strict vegan diet. However, it also limits or excludes foods that have been subjected to heat or chemical processing. Raw foodists restrict or eliminate consumption of fried foods, breads, baked potatoes, grilled vegetables and baked goods. However, you can make flatbreads, tortillas and raw pizza crusts by soaking grains in water for 24 hours, then letting them dry until they sprout. Then spread the grains on parchment paper and place them in a dehydrator for 24 to 48 hours. Because raw foods do not contain cooking oils, meats, eggs or dairy products, they are typically lower in calories than foods common in the standard American diet.

Fruitarian Diet

A fruitarian diet is similar to a raw food diet, but with a heavier emphasis on consuming raw fruits such as oranges, bananas, pears, apples, kiwi fruit, avocados and mangoes. Fruitarians recognize that these foods are rich sources of vitamins and nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of your body and brain. They are also low in calories, compared to staples of the standard American diet. Very few fruitarians live only on raw fruits; instead, they incorporate limited amounts of sprouted grains, nuts, seeds and vegetables into a fruit-based meal plan.