I know that this statement is not always true. Vegetarians are not always thinner then non-vegetarians. However, studies have shown that those that follow a largely, vegetable-based diet tend to lose more weight and keep it off then non-vegetarians. A study printed in The American Journal of Medicine, found that women who follow a vegetarian diet that is low in fat, lose weight much for effectively then persons that eat meat. The study also found that individuals that ate meat tended to be obese and overweight more often then those who were vegetarians.
More then 50,000 women from Sweden were studied by individuals from Tufts University. Researchers were looking to determine the differences in weight gain and obesity between vegetarians and non-vegetarians. It was found that 40% of people that ate meat were either obese or overweight. Only 25%-29% of vegetarians were (this included vegans).
Vegetarians who follow a low fat diet also tended to have lower incidences of chronic and severe conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. This is largely because plant based foods often have lower amounts of fat, especially bad fats and cholesterol. These types of foods also have much more fiber. Fiber helps to push out waste and keep the body regular. A good vegetarian diet will consist of lots of good, whole grains, fruit, whole grains and veggies.
Of course this is not always the case. All vegetarian diets are not created equally. Some do include a lot of fat. Depending on what type of vegetarian you are, you could easily fill up on sweets, cheese and other fattening foods. There are plenty of overweight vegetarians. While vegetarianism definitely has some inherent benefits, the fact that low fat vegetarian diets are beneficial is a big factor in their healthfulness and the ability of persons to lose weight that follow such diets.
There is some evidence that a vegetarian diet can help individuals lose more weight then persons who follow a low fat diet that includes meat. They are also able to lose more fat. This infers that something about meat may make it more difficult for people to shed pounds.
The “problem” with vegetarian diets, if you want to call it a problem, is that they can be difficult to adhere to especially in an American culture that loves and celebrates meat. Most people are not raised as vegetarians and so it can be difficult to change one’s habits or get the support that they need from their immediate families to give up meat. Persons that adopt a vegetarian diet, whether it is temporary or permanent, need to make sure that they are getting all of the nutrients that they need. They must also find a way to get an adequate amount of protein, which is important in building lean muscle.
Persons looking to lose weight may want to consider a vegetarian weight loss plan. It is important that this diet plan is low in fat and includes foods from every food group. Exercise is also important. Vegetarians that are overweight tend to be those that eat a fat laden diet and don’t get enough physical activity.
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