The Truth About Losing Weight On A Vegetarian Diet

“It does not matter what you eat. Just don’t eat a lot, exercise, and your weight will not be a problem.” True? Not quite!

There is scientific evidence that a vegetarian diet keeps that weight down, whereas meat eaters put it on. What you eat does matter.

You know that weight loss is an industry. A money-making industry with many claims to make: Claims of weight loss pills, herbs and juices. Claims of exercise machines and exercise programmes. Claims of high-fat, no fat or lean diets. Which work? Which do not? How to find those things that work? It is bewildering. And expensive!

The US FDA has warned against the effectiveness of a number of products that are being marketed. They include fat or starch blockers, weight loss chewing gum and body wraps.

Even weight loss earrings and spectacles are in this list. Perhaps the last one is effective when your friends wear them to look at you?

By contrast, vegetarians and vegans know what they eat and why they eat it. They save money and lose weight.

Weight loss of both your body and your wallet? Why not.

Vegetarian food production is inherently cheaper than that of meat.

Just like a high fibre vegetarian diet goes through your system faster, the vegetarian food production chain is short compared to that of growing meat. Growing animals for meat is after all energy-intensive, time-consuming and expensive.

For instance, it takes five kilograms of grain to produce one kilogram of beef. It is that concentrated energy that you eat. And it’s not high-fibre.

Short production cycles are better for the planet and shorter digestive processes are better for you.

Perhaps you do not even need special low calorie vegetarian recipes to lose weight. A vegetarian or vegan diet appears to be a recipe for weight loss in itself! At least it represents an excellent start.

Consider the latest research.

Vegetarian and vegan diets work

Recent British scientific research is based on a study of 22,000 people who were followed over five years. All participants put on weight over that time. However, meat eaters who changed to a vegetarian diet gained the least weight.

Prof Tim Keys, who led this study for the University of Oxford and Cancer Research UK, obtained interesting results that are contrary to popular beliefs. His study is published in the Journal of Obesity.

He said: “Contrary to current popular views that a diet low in carbohydrates and high in protein keeps weight down, we found that the lowest weight gain came in people with high intake of carbohydrates and low intake of protein.”

The study involved meat eaters, fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans. On average the entire human sample population gained 2 kilos over the five years and none of them were overweight. The less consumption of animal products, the less weight was gained, leaving the vegans on top, with vegetarians runners-up.

And the bit about exercising then? Well, it’s part of a holistic picture it seems. The study also found that those who became more physically active gained less weight than those who did not. No surprises there.

So, not good news for vegan couch potatoes and a ray of hope for raging carnivores? Well…, the simple message is, whatever you eat, physical activity is part of the weight loss, and health-deal.

Good health

Health too? Yes, this study is part of a larger investigation by EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition), comparing half a million people’s diets in 10 countries to learn how diet is linked to cancer. Results from EPIC’s investigation show that diet is a leading cause of some cancers.

A balanced vegetarian or vegan diet is good for your health.

Take diabetes, often a condition associated with inadequate diet and being over-weight. The EPIC study has revealed that diabetics carry three times the normal risk of developing colo-rectal cancer.

And a recent Australian study even suggests that a diet that is rich in vegetables and fruit can reduce the effects of asthma attacks.

The wider benefits of choosing a vegetarian or vegan diet for weight loss are obvious.

But… perhaps you’d still rather take the ‘easy way’ out and continue to eat meat. Meat perhaps that has been engineered for your ‘health’?

Voila! Researchers at Harvard University have now engineered pigs to produce “healthy forms of bacon, ham and pork crackling.”

Three little pigs were genetically modified to carry Omega 3-converting genes of a nematode worm. This gives the meat of these three little research pigs the benefits of fats and oils found in fish and… vegetables!

Talk about a long production process to get the same benefits from plants that take a fraction of the energy and time to produce.

I’m telling no porky: before long pigs will fly… But do you want to eat them?

Motivation

Weight loss may be your focus but you can see that its achievement is connected to a holistic picture, including your health and that of the world we live in. That is why you could say that many vegetarians and vegans are socially responsible eaters.

Perhaps that insight will give you the motivation to become a vegetarian or vegan: to lose weight…and to discover a whole new world!

Of course some people have medical conditions that cause them to be over weight.

It would be foolish to recommend a vegetarian diet as a miracle cure in those instances. But in all other cases of being over weight there is one over-riding thing that you need: motivation.

If you know why you want to lose weight you will do it. Motivation is everything. The evidence is in on effectiveness of vegetarian diets with respect to weight loss.

If you also know that you are doing your body and the planet a favour by losing weight through vegetarian or vegan diets… then what are you waiting for?

It’s over to you!

Dr Erik Leipoldt PhD has been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for 30 years and his children were raised vegetarian. He has been concerned about global warming and what anyone can do about that. Eating the vegetarian way is one. For more information: http://www.alternate-energy-sources.com/vegetarian-nutrition.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erik_Leipoldt

Lose Weight Fast Without Changing Your Diet by Carrie LaShawn

Methods on how to lose weight fast normally center on specific dietary strategies. However, there are many other factors outside of controlling how many fat grams you consume in a day that can help accelerate fat loss. This article will examine 2 different studies that disclose key methods for efficient and continual weight loss.
A 2004 study published by Dr. David Levitsky on Weight Gaining Behavior examined the eating behaviors of freshman at Cornell University college. It discovered that the students who gained weight the most had three common traits:
1. Snacking on high fat junk foods
2. Increased frequency of snacking on junk foods
3. "All You Can Eat" dining
The issue here is that humans don't snack well. We fail to regulate our caloric intake over time (I.e. if we eat an extra 300 calories as a snack in the morning, then we will not eat 300 calories less at lunch).
Most snacks are sugar or carbohydrate-based, so you need to be careful when it comes to snacking. Avoid them at all costs. They will increase your calories and carbohydrate intake to the point where you are pulled right out of the fat burning zone. Instead, eat snacks high in protein and fiber. This one change in behavior can make a huge difference in your journey to lose weight fast.
As for "All You Can Eat" dining, this is just a plain bad idea. This mindset is just setting yourself up for dieting failure - you need to control your calorie intake with ease. Controlling your environment is an important step in that direction. Watch your plate size, glass size, amount of food, etc.
Another important study, the Lifestyle Heart Trial, reveals to us 3 crucial behavior changes that we must make permanent to lose weight fast. A group of people, between 1977-1980, were put on what is called the Ornish Diet (as part of the Trial). The Ornish Diet is a vegetarian diet that is very low in fat. Because of the severe fat restriction, many find this diet hard to follow for a long period of time. During the trial, participants experienced impressive results such as reduction of heart attack-causing plaques in their arteries. However, since this original study, similar results using the Ornish Diet have never been duplicated.
Why?
Because the people in the study were implementing more than just a diet; they also did regular exercise (3 hours per week), meditation and relaxation (1 hour per day), and participated in 2 group support sessions each week. The addition of the other factors made the diet so much more effective.
Adding exercise, stress management techniques and finding a support system will greatly enhance your efforts to lose weight fast.
If you are having trouble losing weight, examine your current weight loss efforts. What kinds of foods do you snack on? Do you avoid "All You Can Eat" events? How well do you manage the stress in your life? Do you have a support team?
When you honestly answer these questions, you will be able to locate the holes in your plan. Get your weight loss back on track by changing them.

About the Author
Carrie LaShawn is the creator of Diet Review Council, a directory of the Top 5 Proven & Tested Diet and Lose Weight Fast Products. Does any fat loss product work? Discover The Truth at http://www.dietreviewcouncil.info/

Lose Weight Fast Without Changing Your Diet by Carrie LaShawn

Methods on how to lose weight fast normally center on specific dietary strategies. However, there are many other factors outside of controlling how many fat grams you consume in a day that can help accelerate fat loss. This article will examine 2 different studies that disclose key methods for efficient and continual weight loss.
A 2004 study published by Dr. David Levitsky on Weight Gaining Behavior examined the eating behaviors of freshman at Cornell University college. It discovered that the students who gained weight the most had three common traits:
1. Snacking on high fat junk foods
2. Increased frequency of snacking on junk foods
3. "All You Can Eat" dining
The issue here is that humans don't snack well. We fail to regulate our caloric intake over time (I.e. if we eat an extra 300 calories as a snack in the morning, then we will not eat 300 calories less at lunch).
Most snacks are sugar or carbohydrate-based, so you need to be careful when it comes to snacking. Avoid them at all costs. They will increase your calories and carbohydrate intake to the point where you are pulled right out of the fat burning zone. Instead, eat snacks high in protein and fiber. This one change in behavior can make a huge difference in your journey to lose weight fast.
As for "All You Can Eat" dining, this is just a plain bad idea. This mindset is just setting yourself up for dieting failure - you need to control your calorie intake with ease. Controlling your environment is an important step in that direction. Watch your plate size, glass size, amount of food, etc.
Another important study, the Lifestyle Heart Trial, reveals to us 3 crucial behavior changes that we must make permanent to lose weight fast. A group of people, between 1977-1980, were put on what is called the Ornish Diet (as part of the Trial). The Ornish Diet is a vegetarian diet that is very low in fat. Because of the severe fat restriction, many find this diet hard to follow for a long period of time. During the trial, participants experienced impressive results such as reduction of heart attack-causing plaques in their arteries. However, since this original study, similar results using the Ornish Diet have never been duplicated.
Why?
Because the people in the study were implementing more than just a diet; they also did regular exercise (3 hours per week), meditation and relaxation (1 hour per day), and participated in 2 group support sessions each week. The addition of the other factors made the diet so much more effective.
Adding exercise, stress management techniques and finding a support system will greatly enhance your efforts to lose weight fast.
If you are having trouble losing weight, examine your current weight loss efforts. What kinds of foods do you snack on? Do you avoid "All You Can Eat" events? How well do you manage the stress in your life? Do you have a support team?
When you honestly answer these questions, you will be able to locate the holes in your plan. Get your weight loss back on track by changing them.

About the Author
Carrie LaShawn is the creator of Diet Review Council, a directory of the Top 5 Proven & Tested Diet and Lose Weight Fast Products. Does any fat loss product work? Discover The Truth at http://www.dietreviewcouncil.info/

Weight Loss For Teens: Healthy Way For Teens To Lose Weight by Nicholas Tan

There is nothing wrong with eating. The problem occurs when the teenager eats too much food that contains fats and sugars which is reason that many become overweight. Studies show that those who are unable to control it want a quick solution. There are quite a few which are not effective and in reality are potentially dangerous.
One example is the vegetarian diet. In essence, there is nothing wrong with however teens who don't know any better have totally removed chicken and meat products from the dish.
Vegetarians believe it or not still need to eat a little meat such as those derived from poultry products and fish. This is because it has the essential nutrients that are needed while a teen is growing up.
Some people tend to forget all that but there is a downside to it. This is because the teenager will have to eat a wide variety of vegetables to compensate for this.
Some teens have tried drinking herbal tea. These products are very similar to laxative pills because the person will frequently be forced to go to the bathroom and get rid of it. Studies have shown that this is unsafe for a teen who will most likely suffer from dehydration or complications in the colon.
Teens are very susceptible to ads seen on television. There are some on the home television shopping network that promise to lose those extra pounds by going on a diet in just two weeks.
These usually focus on a low calorie diet plan. Although there is nothing wrong should this be done for an adult, again, this is harmful for teens. This is because a sudden loss in the calorie intake will prompt the body to take defensive measures and force one to eat a lot later on to compensate of the deficiency.
In fact, the same effects will happen should the teenager even think of going on a starvation diet.
Another unsafe way to lose weight will be vomit out the food that was eaten. This is worse than starving oneself because the body expels hydrochloric acid that burns the throat and the teeth.
So, is there a healthy way for a teen to lose the excess weight? The answer is yes. The first step is admitting to oneself that it has to end and then sharing this problem with members in the family to get the help and support.
Someone may recommend a diet plan that was made by a trained professionals and tested by doctors. There are so many to choose from and some focus more on carbs while others put more emphasis on consuming more proteins.
A healthy diet should have a good follow through with the right exercise. There are various workout programs like lifting weights, attending group classes or burning those calories on the treadmill.
There are also other sports such as basketball, football or swimming that the teen can engage especially when the body can still withstand the pressures of rigorous activity.
There is no such a thing as a fast way to lose weight. The only thing that exists is a safe and healthy one that can make this happen. There will be challenges ahead but this can only be achieved with the help of a trained professional.
About the Author
Nicholas Tan has been involved in Article Writing, providing Free Articles, Internet Marketing, SEO, Adwords, & Adsense for more than 5 years and designs and develops websites. Submit your free articles and get your articles noticed! Get your Free Articles here! Submit Articles! We provide free articles and information. Check us out at Free Articles!