Guest post by Daisy Rachel
You have probably heard that many people have successfully used the vegan diet to lose weight.
However, you are wondering if it is effective for the long term and if there are some insider secrets that you should be aware of in order to lose weight and maintain it.
You also want to know if there are some challenges or pitfalls that you should know about.
You might be surprised by the answers to the questions you have regarding this diet, but you can lose weight by using it–if you follow a few simple tips.
1. Review the Vegan Food Pyramid
The Vegan Food Pyramid is a good starting point when you want to understand the different food groups that you should eat. Hence, you should review it if you are using the vegan diet for the first time.
2. Eat a lot of green leafy vegetables
Foods such as bok choy, kale, broccoli, turnip/mustard/collard greens provide you with vital nutrients like calcium which you need to lose weight. You could hamper your vegan weight loss if you lack calcium. Hence, you should eat these vegetables.
3. Do not replace dairy and meat products with vegan dairy and meat substitutes
You should not eat vegan dairy and meat substitutes such as cheese and soy meats, and switch out dairy and meat from your diet. It is okay for you to eat these foods occasionally if you opt to go vegan and you do not have weight to lose. However, it is not ideal for you to have weight to lose. Most of the “faux foods” hamper your weight loss efforts because they are high in sodium and fat. It is therefore better for you to learn how to create a vegan menu for whole foods from the start.
4. Avoid drinking fruit juice
Fruit juice is one of the sources of sugar that you should avoid. Fruits provide your body with the water-rich fiber that it needs and many other important nutrients, and hence, it is good for you. However, you will mainline all the simple sugars that the fruit contains naturally if you drink fruit juice, and get rid of the fiber within. It is better for you to drink fresh vegetable juice, or eat the fruit as it is.
5. Try whole grains
Whole grains are healthy complex carbohydrates that your body uses for energy. They are amazing and hence, you need the important nutrients that they give you.
6. Drink a lot of water
All the fiber-rich foods that you need to eat need water to help them in their job. Two to three glasses of water are not enough for you. You should drink 6 to 12 8 oz. glasses every day.
7. Eat nuts
Nuts are rich in vegan protein and they provide you with the vital healthy fats that you need. Raw nuts provide you with the enzymes that you need. On the other hand, toasted nuts have a tendency of providing your body with the protein and tasting a little more interesting. Hence, it is highly recommended for you to reap maximum benefits from both worlds by eating some toasted nuts and raw nuts.
8. Reduce your sugar intake
Sugar is not good for you and it will be harder for you to lose weight if you take more sugar. If you overuse it, yeast will overgrow in your body and in effect, you will not be able to lose weight until the yeast is cleared out. You should always ensure that the sugar you consume is organic.
9. Start a weight-lifting program and aerobic exercise program
You must exercise for weight loss because diet alone cannot enable you to achieve the lasting vegan weight loss that you seek. Diet is not effective if you do not exercise on a regular basis.
10. Do not be enslaved by your scale
Scales lie and you can gain weight but lose inches. You will start to build muscles in places that you did not have them as you enjoy your vegan diet that is combined with exercise.
These tips will help you to lose weight by using the vegan diet, however, you should follow them diligently to achieve success.
Have you lost weight on a vegan or plant-based diet?
What other tips do you suggest?
Share your thoughts, comments and experiences with us.
About the author:
Daisy is a passionate blogger. She has been writing content on the web professionally since 2006. As an avid reader and blogger, she shares her experience through her articles on Health, Education, Technology, Parenting and many more. She works on behalf of Ehic. Complete an Ehic application to seek free or affordable medical advice.
The vegan food pyramid assist in choosing a plant based diet, and the food needed to create a healthy and well balanced diet.