If you are looking to lose weight, a great way to help you meet your weight loss goals is by switching to a vegetarian diet plan.
There are tons of health benefits to eating vegetarian meals: lower risks of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, as well as a healthier immune system overall.
This post will focus on the basics.
So what does it mean to be a vegetarian?
Generally, a vegetarian is someone who primarily eats fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and seeds, and avoids meat.
Beyond that, there are a few main categories:
- Vegan is the most restrictive version, excluding animal products of all kinds, including meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, and often foods produced by animals like honey. They often avoid animal products elsewhere as well, such as not buying leather or wool clothing and shoes.
- Vegetarian starts with a vegan diet and adds on, in a few variations: Lacto-vegetarians also include dairy products like milk and cheese. Ovo-vegetarians include eggs, but not dairy. And lacto-ovo vegetarians include, you guessed it, eggs and dairy.
- You may have also heard of raw foods. That means eating foods that haven’t been heated above a certain temperature, so they retain as many nutrients as possible.
- Raw food diets usually include only fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and seeds. And they get creative when it comes to making things like bread and crackers – without baking!
In addition to all these categories, there are some people who eat a vegetarian or vegan diet most of the time, and occasionally eat fish or meat.
The point is, you can create the diet that works best for you and your taste buds, as you’re losing weight!
READ : Is a Vegetarian Diet Suitable for Everyone?
Health Problems caused by bad diet and eating habit
Diabetes type 2,
Obesity
Dental caries
All of which might be cured by taking a good vegetarian diet plan.
Nutrients that lacks in Vegetarian Diet:
Vitamin B12 : Vegetarian Foods That Contain the Most Vitamin B12
Vitamin D : What Foods Are High In Vitamin D
Omega 3 -fatty acids EPA and DHA9.
What to consider for vegetarian diet plans:
1-Before you decide to be a vegetarian make your plans clearly outlined.
Being a vegetarian or a vegan is a huge step and a commitment.
You have to stick to your decisions especially in the toughest times of shifting.
Making your goals and plans clear will keep you right on the track.
2-Identify your vegetarian type.
Which means you will have to plan on what type of vegetarian diet plan you are going to have.
Like are you planning to be a strict vegetarian?
Or a vegetarian with sea foods?
Are you allowing some dairy ?
You have to identify this to help you restrict food types and groups.
3-Scheduling a vegetarian plan.
Shifting your diet into a vegetarian so quickly may only be a failure, it is wise to time and schedule how you will do the transition, also do it at the time of convenience .
Your body may experience some adjustments and shock to some extent.
You do not want to add the stress of a major event that you have to add to the shock. Timing is everything.
4-Consider other people inside your house.
A change in diet plan is easy for you if you are living alone.
However, if you are living with a roommate or family member, you need to consider them as well and put them into consideration on how your choice will affect them.
Bear in mind that it’s your personal change and not anybody else.
Remember that they may still love the deep fried chicken while you are having your steamed carrots and corn.
So be prepared to be tempted.
READ : What are Vegetarian Diets?
How can a vegetarian diet plan help you lose weight?
It works because of the focus on fresh foods – the goal is to have your dinner plate look like a rainbow because of all the different, vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and beans.
Most vegetarian foods are lower in calories and fat, and high in vitamins and minerals, so you can still eat enough food to feel satisfied, but be eating far fewer calories.
The important thing is to make good choices about what you put in your body.
Eating from a vegetarian meal plan does not mean depriving yourself – it means giving yourself lots of flavor and variety, and probably trying out new kinds of foods and new tastes.
It can be an exciting adventure if you’re open to it!
When you combine eating a healthy vegetarian diet with getting regular exercise, the results can be astounding!
Yes, that really means that diet and exercise are the best way to lose weight.
Going on a vegetarian diet plan is not a quick fix.
It’s truly a lifestyle change that will leave you with tons of energy and a sexy body!
And wouldn’t it be nice to have that kind of feeling for the rest of your life?
Just think of all the amazing things you can share with others and the world just by taking care of yourself!
So now you know the basics about starting a vegetarian diet plan – congratulations!
You have taken the first step to a healthy lifestyle.
READ : Why Are You A Vegetarian?
