Vegetarian Diet to Lose Weight?

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Eugene Thong

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What is your opinion on a vegetarian diet? I've heard many people say they feel much better when they give up meat.

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Eating a vegetarian diet can be good or bad, depending on how you approach it (we don’t recommend going vegetarian, read on to find out why).

If you approach it by the book and choose healthful vegetarian fare, then it can be good, assuming the dieter gets enough B12 and essential fatty acids. But, if your idea of vegetarian fare is eggplant parmesan, pizza, pita chips, or soda, then you’re more likely to end up with the body type of another famous vegetarian, Forest Whitaker.

Loved you in Last King of Scotland and Bird, by the way

The reason most people feel better on vegetarian diets is two-fold:

First, the reality is that most people eat like crap. So when they eliminate “meat”, what they end up eliminating the junky foods they used to eat that were meat-based – hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken wings, etc.

Second, factor in that most Americans don’t eat any fruit or vegetables (or, if they do, it’s the tomato and lettuce on their burger). Once they adopt a vegetarian diet, the typical person’s consumption of fruit and vegetables increases dramatically. Given these two factors, it’s no wonder people tend to feel better when adopting a vegetarian lifestyle.

That being said, I don’t advocate vegetarian diets for people looking to lose weight. Why?

Here’s a brief summary:

The evidence that humans were not meant to eat meat are not supported by anthropological science.
Meat consumption isn’t correlated with higher incidence of disease. In fact, studies suggest the opposite is true (that meat eaters tend to live stronger, healthier lives than vegetarians).
You don’t need to eliminate meat in order to lose weight. (Want to know how? Check out Nutrition and Dieting Foundations.)
Eating vegetarian doesn’t automatically mean you’re eating healthfully or even well. In fact, many vegetarians are overfat.

If you’re thinking of tucking into a vegetarian diet to improve your health or lose weight (i.e., you’re NOT doing it for philosophical or ethical reasons), do this instead:

Eat more vegetables, especially green leafy ones.
Eat fruits, preferably local and in-season.
Eliminate the crappy junky food you would’ve anyway.
And stop feeling guilty when you eat your meat.

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About the Author:

Eugene Thong, CSCS, was born a weak, skinny, bespectacled child. Now, thanks to a steady diet of martial arts, scientific inquiry, and heavy compound movements, he's no longer weak. His scientific bent, Zen-like demeanor, and efficient but intense methods have made him one of New York's most sought-after personal trainers.

When not helping clients cultivate their own inner 6-packs, Eugene can be found arm barring opponents at Renzo Gracie's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy or sailing through the air on his snowboard. Read Eugene's semi-weekly musings on exercise, fitness, and fat loss at his blog

Eugene is Mike's co-author of The Black Book of Secrets. You can purchase it by clicking here.