• Mail

Vibrance Nutrition and Fitness

  • Programs
    • Programs and Services
    • Fitness
    • Individualized Coaching
    • Online Programs
    • Business Coaching
    • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Free!
    • Recipes
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Video
    • My Favorite Things
  • About
  • Contact

Blog - Latest News

You are here: Home » Nutrition » Losing Weight on a Vegetarian Diet

Losing Weight on a Vegetarian Diet

September 21, 2009
September 21, 2009

People often believe that weight loss is going to be a effortless bonus to living a more cruelty-free, planet-conscious lifestyle.

For some, this is definitely the case. When I became a vegetarian at 13, I dropped about 10 pounds without any effort on my part. I did gain it back, but I was still a growing child. Whenever the diet is restricted in any way, the odds for increased weight loss tend to occur.

Others find it harder to lose weight on a vegetarian diet, or have difficulty feeling full, satisfied, and energetic.  The differences between individual metabolisms and genetics mean that each person needs a different dietary lifestyle to have the health, energy and body they desire. For some people, a vegetarian diet is not suited as a life-long choice and a transition back into a omnivorous lifestyle needs to be done with attention paid to physical health, ethical beliefs, and any emotional implications of such a transition (especially if vegetarianism is due to ethical or religious convictions).

If you are a vegetarian and find it difficult to lose weight, here are some tips that work and take YOUR needs into account:

  1. Vary Your Protein Sources: Protein plays an important role in satiety and retaining muscle mass on a low calorie diet. As a vegetarian, it is easy to rely on soy deli slices, soy cheese, soy protein, and other forms of highly refined soy to keep your protein needs up. The problem with this is that soy is very difficult to digest, 90% of it is genetically engineered, and the rates of soy intolerance (especially among vegetarians) is rapidly rising. Mix it up by including hemp or rice protein, quorn, eggs and dairy (if tolerated) and whole beans (canned or boiled) to stay satisfied. A benefit to the beans is the fiber which, as you’ll see below, is also an asset for weight loss.
  2. Up the Fiber: This post details the benefits and recommendations in using fiber for weight loss. Adding vegetables to every meal, psyllium husk or ground flax to your morning smoothie, and consuming whole and sprouted grains will keep you satisfied for much longer. If you consume bread, Ezekiel 4:9 ensures you receive maximum fiber and nutrition in every slice – naturally!
  3. Practice Mindfulness: regardless of what is on your plate, knowing how hungry you are and when you actually feel satisfied is the biggest secret to sustained weight loss. This alone prevents overeating, mindless nibbling, and being lured into unnecessary snacks and extra portions due to cues in our environment. In addition to food education, much of the work with weight loss clients is learning tools to increase mindfulness and identify sources of food cravings.
  4. Get support: I cannot say it enough — supportive atmospheres increase your likelihood of success, regardless of the endeavor you are undertaking! Join a group, hire a trainer or nutrition professional, team up with a coworker, enlist your family members, but do what you need to to have the camaraderie and support to make your goal a reality!

These tips apply to anyone, regardless of dietary choices. Losing weight needn’t require hours of counting points or calories, nor does it mean limiting yourself to canned shakes or dehydrated, freeze-died diet meals. Instead of further disconnecting from your food, re-connecting to your meal and to yourself is how sustained weight loss can be assured.  If you are struggling to lose weight and need additional support, check out my services to see if a package can work for you, or contact me to create a more customized option to suit you, no matter where you live!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Need quick and easy ways to get healthy meals on the table? Get my guide, "5 Ways to 5 a Day in 15 Minutes or Less" to boost your health without resorting to boring salads or smoothies!

Gimme the Guide!
johnsmith@example.com
John
Smith
Tags: vegetarianism, Weight Loss
0 Comments/in Nutrition, Tips - Nutrition, Weight Loss /by Aimee
Related Entries

Combat Heart Disease with Your Fork

VIBRANCE Nutrition’s Spotlight on:...

Celebrate Summer – Without Gaining...

VIBRANCE Recommends: Nutriiveda Weight Management...

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Followon Twitter

Recent Comments

  • recipeprepare on Fun Ways to Enjoy Leftover Easter Eggs
  • Gnar on Timeless Advice: Chew Your Food
  • Shane on Playground Workout
  • Enrique Pasion on Bee-ing Mindful of our Pollinators
  • Aimee Gallo, Vibrance Nutrition on Blasphemous Thoughts on Sports Nutrition

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
← Staying Cool and on Track during the Dog Days of Summer (previous entry)
(next entry) Recipe: Baked Italian Chicken with Arugula →

Site Map

  • About
    • What is Functional Nutrition?
  • Blog
    • Take this Quiz: How Healthy Am I?
    • Tasty Sunshine Inspired Recipes!
  • Contact Us
    • Looking For an Inspiring Podcast Guest? Let’s Chat!
  • 30 Days to Glorious Greens Cookbook
  • 5 Ways To 5 a Day
  • A Few of My Favorite Things
  • About Us
  • Are You Getting Enough Vegetables?
  • Examine Your Poops: The Bristol Stool Chart
  • Fitness
  • Glorious Goodies for You!
  • Holistic Business Coaching
  • Individualized Coaching
  • Newsletter Archive
  • Online Programs
    • 10 Weeks to a Healthier You!
    • 30 Day of Glorious Greens Challenge
      • Thank You for Believing in Greens!
    • 30 Days to Conquer Cravings
    • I’m thrilled you are joining the Daily Greens Challenge!
    • The Lean Living Lifestyle Program
    • Vibrant Veggies: A New Program offered by VIBRANCE.
    • You’re In!
  • Programs and Services
    • Congratulations!
  • Reasons You Aren’t Losing Weight.
  • Recipes
  • Testimonials
  • Vibrance Nutrition and Fitness Privacy Policy
  • Video

search

blog by topic

A Vibrant Life

I've studied nutrition and fitness from a variety of experts for over 20 years. In this time I've come to understand that no diet, nor exercise plan, is right for every body. Your body has a unique set of needs, and by listening and exploring, you and I can learn the language of your body and begin giving it what it needs, so that greater energy, vibrancy, health and happiness can be yours!

A healthy body is a platform for an abundant, vibrant life. It's all yours for the taking. Are you ready for it?

-Aimee

contact

Aimee Gallo
Seattle: (206) 227-1231
aimee@vibrance.dev
© Copyright - Vibrance Nutrition and Fitness - Wordpress Premium Theme by Kriesi
 Tweet
 Share
 Tweet
 Share
 Tweet
 Share