Why Plant Based Diets Are Great For Weight Loss

Looking to shed real weight? You might want to think about nixing meat from your diet. A study published in the Journal Of General Internal Medicine found that people who eat a vegan or vegetarian diet lose more weight than people who eat meat. The researchers looked at 12 studies that had more than 1,150 people who followed different weight loss plans for about 18 weeks. The results? Those who ate plant based diets lost, on average, 4 pounds more than those who were still eating meat. Vegetarian diets are rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are high in fiber and take longer to digest, which may keep you feeling fuller longer, says study author Ru-Yi Huang, M.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health. And remember, eating meat or dairy products is more likely to lead to gas and bloating which can not only make you feel uncomfortable, it can derail your success. It also seems that people who give up meat for weight loss are more likely to maintain their healthy diet plans one year later than those who include animal products on their plate. And, you don't need an advanced calculus degree to keep track of your calories if you switch to a plant based diet. Why? You don't have to count at all. Pound for pound, fruits and vegetables contain fewer calories than your favourite cut of beef. There is little point in making the effort in that regard. What are you thinking? Is this an enough incentive to give up meat for good? Source: Shape