Does a Vegan Diet Make You Lose Weight?

Your diet plays a large role in weight gain and weight loss. If you've recently gained a few extra pounds, you may have considered switching to a different style of dieting to lose weight. Vegans typically have a lower body weight than those who consume meat, but this does not mean that a vegan diet is right for you.

Dieting

Choosing a vegan lifestyle may help you lose weight as long as you control what you eat. Vegetarians usually do consume fewer calories and typically have a healthier body weight than those who are not vegetarian, but eating the wrong types of foods while following a vegetarian diet can cause you to gain additional weight. The science is the same no matter what type of diet you choose to follow; calories in versus calories burned. As long as you're burning more calories than you consume, you will lose weight.

About Vegan Diets

Becoming a vegetarian means saying goodbye to all red meats, poultry and fish. There are different vegetarian diets; some allow animal byproducts such as milk and eggs, while others do not. Vegan diets primarily consist of eating fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts.

Vegan Diet Benefits

Switching to a vegan diet can help you lose weight because you'll incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet, which are low in calories. Fruits and vegetables are especially low in calories when compared to meat; this calorie cut can make a tremendous difference. Fruits and vegetables are packed with water and fiber, which helps you feel full for a longer period of time. When you feel full, you tend to eat less, which will also help you lose weight.

Negative Side Effects

While vegan diets are typically low in calories, it is possible to gorge on foods that are high in calories and fat. Nuts are good for you and should be included in a vegan diet as they are a good source of protein, but they're also very high in fat and calories. Consuming too many calories or too much fat can hinder your weight loss and possibly even make you gain weight.

References

Article reviewed by Jenna Marie Last updated on: Mar 5, 2011

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