Lani-Muelrath-vegtables-ECU

According to a new meta-analysis – that means a review of mountains of research studies – published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, adopting a vegetarian diet causes weight loss, even in the absence of exercise or calorie counting.

The review analyzed 15 studies, conducted with 755 participants in Europe and the United States.

weightlossrxVarying in length, from four weeks to as long as two years, the studies revealed  an average weight loss of 10 pounds over a 44-week period for those following a vegetarian or vegan, plant-based diet.

Remember, this was without the layer of calorie counting or ramping up exercise.

“I eat foods with fiber”

Several years ago I interviewed a plant-based doctor who had devised a brilliant rule for deciding what was to put on his plate that would keep him well fed yet trim.

He told me his rule: “I eat foods with fiber”.

If it didn’t have fiber in it, it didn’t make its way to his plate.

Everything on a whole foods plant-based diet is inherently fiber rich.

Animal products – meat, eggs, dairy – are all completely fiber free.  Highly refined foods are right in there with coming up seriously devoid if not completely absent of fiber.  Also juices and vegetable oils.

Number one secret to ease of weight loss with a plant-based diet

 

Perhaps the strongest reason people lose weight more easily on a plant-based diet than other dietary approaches is because of the fiber content of a plant-based diet. Though most Americans consume a pathetic 10 – 15 grams of fiber a day, if that – The Physicians Committee recommends consuming close to 40 grams of fiber a day.

Consuming this  amount of fiber is easy to do when vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes are at the center of your plate.

The chart below provides a handy tool for you to quickly assess where your personal fiber count measures up.

Fiber-Weight-Loss-1024x1024

Just in time: 21 – Day Vegan Kickstart

21-daykickstart_celebtipsOn the first of each month, the Physician’s Committee  runs a free, online 21-Day Kickstart program so that you can immerse yourself in a plant-based diet.

Sign up for the Kickstart here so that you get daily mailing, tips, inspirations and recipes.

I am honored to one of the coaches for this program as it’s been a powerful way to reach thousands (literally tens of thousands of people!) in a supportive, regular, and inexpensive way – as there is no cost to the program.

Along with the 21-Day Kickstart program come instructional videos, menus, recipes, and daily tips from the coaches – including yours truly.

There you have it!

Question for you – how is your fiber count?

And let me know if you plan to join the February Kickstart!


 

Resource:

Barnard ND, Levin SM, Yokoyama Y. A systematic review and meta-analysis of changes in body weight in clinical trials of vegetarian diets. J Acad Nutr Diet. Published online January 21, 2015.

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