Most people who adopt a vegan lifestyle do so because they feel strongly about the ethics involved -- they don't want to consume or use any animal products. But some decide to become vegans because they realize that many vegans -- including some celebrities -- lose weight when they first start the diet, according to the Vegan Club. If you're considering going vegan to lose weight, just make sure you realize that you'll still need to cut down on calories and boost your activity levels.
Vegan Diet Basics
When you eat a vegan diet, you avoid all meat, poultry, fish, dairy products and eggs, according to Columbia University. Some vegans also eliminate foods such as honey that are produced by animals. Since banning these foods from your diet usually places most processed food products off-limits, you'll naturally wind up eating more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which experts recommend for weight loss. People who recognize these health benefits might decide to become vegan for the purpose of losing weight.
Fat Vs. Carbs
As a vegan, you'll consume much less fat, since fruits and vegetables generally contain little fat. As many vegans realize, this can help you to cut calories and spur weight loss, according to Columbia University. Since fat contains twice the calories of a similar quantity of carbohydrates, you may not even need to count calories as a vegan -- instead, you might just need to stick to vegan meals to drop pounds. For some people, sticking to a vegan-based eating program can seem less restrictive than counting calories and fat grams.
Celebrity Endorsements
Celebrity endorsements may play a role in the vegan diet's popularity among the weight-loss crowd. Some celebrities report that they have lost weight on vegan diets, which may lead their fans to adopt similar diets in the hope of similar results. According to "Glamour" magazine, Ellen DeGeneres and Alanis Morissette both dropped pounds after adopting a vegan diet, although Morissette also gave up bread.
Considerations
If you decide to go vegan in order to lose some weight, you'll need to make sure to get enough of certain nutrients, notes Columbia University. For example, it can be tough to get enough protein on a vegan diet -- you should shoot for about 15 to 20 percent of your total calories to be in the form of protein. Try whole grains, nuts and beans -- all represent good protein sources. You may need a multivitamin to make up for the lack of vitamins normally found in animal-based foods. Before starting any weight-loss program, including a vegan diet, be sure to check with your physician.
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