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Vegetarian vs. Vegan vs. Eating meat..to lose weight?

Rabbit1295
Rabbit1295 Posts: 55 Member
edited November 24 in Debate Club
Heyo! Hope everyone is well :)

Something I've been wondering about. What form of diet do you think is better to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight? I'm really curious about REAL (hopefully unbiased lol) testimonials. Do you have to switch diets and commit to it for the rest of my life or what?

I personally LOVE my meat and fish. Especially ocean caught fish and organic chicken. But let me know what you guys think.
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Replies

  • amtyrell
    amtyrell Posts: 1,447 Member
    Weight loss well you want filling. For me that means lots of protein and fiber.
    For sustainable you want delicious.
    I think whatever works for healthy delicious and high fiber and protein works for me
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,225 Member
    Eat foods you like, close to your deficit calorie goal, in combinations that keep you satiated, and you will lose weight. If you want to be healthy, as most of us do, also work to get solid, well-rounded nutrition.

    I was a thin vegetarian, ate too much - mostly healthy, nutritious whole foods - and became a fat vegetarian, then ate even more and became an obese vegetarian. After staying an obese vegetarian for decades, including one decade where I was very active and competing as an athlete, I started eating less and became a thin vegetarian again at age 59-60. I'm now age 62, going into year 3 of maintenance as a thin vegetarian.

    Through all of that, I didn't dramatically change which foods I ate. Mostly, I changed how much of them I ate, including some changes in relative proportions of different foods to balance satiation and nutrition within calorie goal.

    For weight loss, it's all about calories. For health, include nutrition. It's not always easy, but it's absolutely just that simple.
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    As others have stated, weight loss is all about calories. So eat the foods you like, at the appropriate calorie deficit for your goals, that you find keep you feeling satiated and personally satisfied, and you will lose weight. Generally, most people find that a well-rounded diet of nutritious foods with a little treat sprinkled in here and there is best for nutrition, satiety, compliance, and sanity while dieting.

    I've been a ovo/lacto vegetarian for quite a few years now, but I do it because I really don't like meat. I was a Class II obese ovo/lacto vegetarian and I lost weight eating that way as well and am still playing around with a few vanity pounds.

    Like Ann, I haven't changed what I eat, I've just changed how much.
  • PrincessTinyheart
    PrincessTinyheart Posts: 679 Member
    Rabbit1295 wrote: »
    Heyo! Hope everyone is well :)

    Something I've been wondering about. What form of diet do you think is better to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight? I'm really curious about REAL (hopefully unbiased lol) testimonials. Do you have to switch diets and commit to it for the rest of my life or what?

    I personally LOVE my meat and fish. Especially ocean caught fish and organic chicken. But let me know what you guys think.

    I'm been vegan since last July but have been a vegetarian since 2009. I've been able to lose weight on either diet by following the principles of CICO.
  • Unknown
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  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,565 Member
    I've been a meat eater all my life - fat, thin and in-between. Eating the appropriate calories for your weight-management goals will get you the same positive results across any type of diet. If your goal is losing weight, eat foods that meet your nutrient requirements and keep you from being hungry all the time, and eat that food in appropriate amounts to hit your calorie target most of the time. Incorporate foods that you enjoy, either frequently in reduced amounts, or occasionally in larger quantities if that satisfies you more.

    Eating in a way that isn't natural for you while losing weight, and then going back to eating all the foods you like will almost always result in gaining back the weight you worked so hard to lose. Don't do that to yourself :)
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I agree that a caloric deficit is needed for weight loss.

    I think what diet that helps you get there will vary based on your personal health situation. I have a tendency to gain weight when I eat gluten (I am a celiac). I also have metabolic issues so high carb levels tend to lead to easier weight gain for me. An animal based diet works best for me. Others will have a different experience.

    I would say it is a good idea to experiment and do what works for you.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    I've been an omnivore my whole life and have never been "technically" overweight, just the high end of the normal weight range. I lost 20 lbs and have maintained for 2 years. I ate meat and fish through the whole process. And not even organic or whatever other label you want to put on it. I eat rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and if frozen salmon is on sale, I'm not too picky I just avoid any mention of China on the bag. I eat fast food once or twice a week. I eat frozen Perdue chicken nuggets with my nephews fairly regularly.

    I feel better when I eat meat. I know others who feel much better when they cut it out. Neither is better or worse for weight loss for everyone. The diet that keeps you satiated at the right calorie level is the best, and that will be different for different people.

    As others have already said, eating one way to lose weight and then going back to a different way of eating often doesn't work, and it's probably one of the main reasons so many people struggle with maintenance. Find a way to eat at the right calorie level for the rest of your life - a lower amount to lose the weight and then a little more to maintain.
  • Rabbit1295
    Rabbit1295 Posts: 55 Member
    Thank you everyone for replying. However, I wasn't what I was expecting. Basically "just watch your calories". My response is "oh really? I had absolutely nooooooo idea" (if you didn't catch it, sarcasm is laced into that response lol) but anways, I was looking for more of a discussion weighing pros and cons to each diet type.

    I'm 22 years old and I absolutely HATE counting calories. That's why I downloaded this app. Personally, in the past when I counted calories on my own I was doing it entirely wrong. I ended up eating WAY more than I should but I was able to work it off in the gym and went from 130 lbs to 97lbs and had very toned muscles. Fast forward 4 years and 3 of those years being in a deep depression and garbage birth control pills (maybe some of you ladies know what I'm talking about), I was a fat couch potato that really didn't eat much. I was having one meal a day and going 2-3 days without eating a thing. My meal consisted of some sort of meat, salad or canned vegetables, with wild rice or whole grain or protein pasta. I think that's a pretty balanced meal. And no, never had seconds or thirds. One thing I've become very good at is making just enough to fill one plate. My problem is/was I was just lazy and didn't have any motivation nor interest anymore. I'm just starting to get myself back. I currently wiegh 198lbs (as of an hour ago).

    Anyways, yea..again thank you all for replying. Have an amazing night and stay warm this weekend if you're expecting extremely cold temperatures like I am (sooooooooo notlooking forward to it lol)
  • Rabbit1295
    Rabbit1295 Posts: 55 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    I feel like the responses did answer that question, but... oh, well.

    The pros and cons will be different for different people. You need to find the right way for YOU to eat - what fills you up, what tastes good to you, what gives you energy, what weighs you down, what is practical for your lifestyle, what fits with your ethics and priorities. No one can answer that for you. Sounds like bad news, but the good news is you don't have to eat food you don't like to lose weight or be healthy.

    A lot of MFP veterans replied to your posts - people who have already lost their weight and are maintaining successfully. And we all have different ideals, activity levels, and lifestyles and all eat pretty different diets.

    It's not really a question that I'm asking. I was only curious what people had to say. Especially when you read online and some sites say "go vegan for a healthier lifestyle!" or "why meat is destroying our bodies!" etc. I live in an area where people are vocal about what form of diet or rather lifestyle is better than the rest. (and they get very defensive as well...) I don't know. Was just looking as just trying to make conversation is all. I will always eat meat. I'm just very conscious about where my food comes from. I try to support the local farmers.

    Btw..I'm probably going to sound extremely stupid for asking this but..what does MFP stand for?
  • Rabbit1295
    Rabbit1295 Posts: 55 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    MFP = MyFitnessPal

    And the best thing you can do for your weight loss and your health is stop listening to all those sites, articles, blogs, etc. They try to make it complicated so you stay in the lose/gain cycle and continue to hopefully buy stuff or info so they can make $$$ :tongue:

    Sometimes the hardest thing to accept is how simple it is. Not necessarily easy, mind you, but it really is simple. Learning to shut off all that noise is what made the difference for me.

    Yep, definitely was a stupid question. Lol

    I really don't listen to them too much. Especially when they try to sell something. Like I said, was just mainly curious :)
  • mortuseon_
    mortuseon_ Posts: 257 Member
    Rabbit1295 wrote: »
    kimny72 wrote: »
    MFP = MyFitnessPal

    And the best thing you can do for your weight loss and your health is stop listening to all those sites, articles, blogs, etc. They try to make it complicated so you stay in the lose/gain cycle and continue to hopefully buy stuff or info so they can make $$$ :tongue:

    Sometimes the hardest thing to accept is how simple it is. Not necessarily easy, mind you, but it really is simple. Learning to shut off all that noise is what made the difference for me.

    Yep, definitely was a stupid question. Lol

    I really don't listen to them too much. Especially when they try to sell something. Like I said, was just mainly curious :)

    Don't feel bad for asking! It's definitely still interesting. You might find, for example, that certain macros keep you fuller than others, so there's usually some kind of logic in how people define their diets here...it'll just come down to what your individual goals are, and works best for your bod, within the realm of calorie counting. :)
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    Rabbit1295 wrote: »
    kimny72 wrote: »
    I feel like the responses did answer that question, but... oh, well.

    The pros and cons will be different for different people. You need to find the right way for YOU to eat - what fills you up, what tastes good to you, what gives you energy, what weighs you down, what is practical for your lifestyle, what fits with your ethics and priorities. No one can answer that for you. Sounds like bad news, but the good news is you don't have to eat food you don't like to lose weight or be healthy.

    A lot of MFP veterans replied to your posts - people who have already lost their weight and are maintaining successfully. And we all have different ideals, activity levels, and lifestyles and all eat pretty different diets.

    It's not really a question that I'm asking. I was only curious what people had to say. Especially when you read online and some sites say "go vegan for a healthier lifestyle!" or "why meat is destroying our bodies!" etc. I live in an area where people are vocal about what form of diet or rather lifestyle is better than the rest. (and they get very defensive as well...) I don't know. Was just looking as just trying to make conversation is all. I will always eat meat. I'm just very conscious about where my food comes from. I try to support the local farmers.

    Btw..I'm probably going to sound extremely stupid for asking this but..what does MFP stand for?

    A lot of media attention is given to the idea that it's *what* and how you eat that are really, really super important, when really, they aren't.

    Calories are the super important thing, only they can be drudgery to monitor, and that seems to be the case for you, but then again, the app might make it easier.

    The best diet is going to be the one you can stick to that will get you to a normal weight. An optimal diet will have you eating lean protein, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, tubers, beans, fruits and some treats every now and then in whatever proportions keep you feeling most satisfied. The ratios which are best in terms of carbs/fats/protein will vary from individual to individual.

    There really isn't one "best" or "healthiest" diet. There's only what's best for you.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Some adherents to every different diet/way of eating/whatever will lay claims that theirs is the "best" or "healthiest". Veg*ans, keto, paleo, "clean" eaters, IIFYM'ers, Mediterranean dieters, etc. Some seem to have more of a religious-type fervor than others (speaking in generalities, not painting every person with a broad brush), but obviously most people want to think that what they're doing is the "best" for them - whether they're right or wrong.

    As a few have already said above, IMO the "best" diet is the one you can most easily adhere to and that will provide you the most satiety. That will make it the easiest to lose and maintain weight because consistency and perseverance is what brings results. A reasonable diet that has you sticking to your calorie/nutrient goals 90% of the time will bring much better results than an overly restrictive diet that you can only stick to 60% of the time.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,282 Member
    Here is my real life unbiased testimonial on the " Paperpudding Eat the foods you like and are available within calorie allowance and reasonable nutrition balance " diet
    Sorry, still trying to come up with catchier name for it.

    Anyway, it included meat, fish, eggs, dairy, grains, vegetables, fruit,nuts, cake, chocolate,coffee, wine - not always in that order ;)
    It did not include cucumber,watermelon, liver or crumbed brains.

    I was not obese but was overweight and steadily getting more so. Lost 10 kg ( around 22 lb) over 10 months in 2013 to reach a BMI of 23 and kept it off since.

    I suggest you follow my diet but substitute whatever foods you like and have available for the ones above and if you want to include cucumber, watermelon, liver or crumbed brains, you can.
    And of course eat to whatever your calorie allowance is, which may or may not be similar to mine.
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    Rabbit1295 wrote: »
    kimny72 wrote: »
    MFP = MyFitnessPal

    And the best thing you can do for your weight loss and your health is stop listening to all those sites, articles, blogs, etc. They try to make it complicated so you stay in the lose/gain cycle and continue to hopefully buy stuff or info so they can make $$$ :tongue:

    Sometimes the hardest thing to accept is how simple it is. Not necessarily easy, mind you, but it really is simple. Learning to shut off all that noise is what made the difference for me.

    Yep, definitely was a stupid question. Lol

    I really don't listen to them too much. Especially when they try to sell something. Like I said, was just mainly curious :)

    I went vegetarian at 19 for a number of (lousy) reasons, including—but not limited to—believing I would lose weight that way. Didn't work that way, but I did find that cutting out meat seemed to help a condition on my scalp that was never diagnosed. (Dry skin and scabs. Might've been eczema; I'd had it come and go on other body parts, and I've had fewer flare-ups with that too, could've been psoriasis, or just really bad dandruff, but it cleared up within a couple of weeks whatever it was). And I felt like I had more energy, so I kept at it. That was 26 years ago. Over that time, I've ballooned out to 254lbs and come down to 155 and been at many points in-between (and even slightly lower on my last jaunt with Weight Watchers). Bottom line: as other posters have been saying, you can lose weight as a vegetarian (or with any other diet, so long as you maintain a calorie deficit). But there's nothing magical about it. Pick a way of eating you can stick to for the long haul.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Don't think it makes a difference, or at least any difference would have to do with personal sustainability.

    I found meat and low fat dairy and eggs pretty helpful in weight loss (meat and low fat yogurt/cottage cheese because it is really satiating for me, and for me (not everyone) meat + veg feels like a full meal and can be super low cal). Before losing weight I ate limited meat (mostly fish), and had been vegetarian for periods of time (I'd been fat and not fat eating meat and being vegetarian).

    I've recently decided to cut back on animal products again, and may cut them out (I am cutting them out for Lent). This has nothing to do with weight loss and I don't expect it will make maintenance harder for me, but I suppose it might.
  • EPmomdoc
    EPmomdoc Posts: 27 Member
    May he worth a session or two with a dietician - just saying- I think food exchanges or what ever you want to call them Make a lot more sense then just counting calories if if you r not sure where to start to Figure out your macros- some insurance plans will cover the session
  • TrishSeren
    TrishSeren Posts: 587 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    TrishSeren wrote: »
    Vegan and vegetarian diets are more about your morals and less about if you can lose weight. In fact, I think it's mildly insulting that anyone decides to become a vegan or vegetarian for weight loss because that's not the point of why people choose to stop eating meat or meat products.

    Secondly, they aren't "healthier" it's not that simple. Animal products have naturally higher levels of protein and fat and whilst it's not impossible to get protein and fats from plants it is A LOT harder. Protein deficiency is a thing and it's not pretty.

    Also, animal products have essential amino acids which are, essential to human function. Plant proteins don't have these and we're unable to produce them ourselves so you need to consume them through diet.

    Of course, I'd never say don't become a vegan or vegetarian but make sure you are doing it for the right reasons AND have all of the correct information to ensure your diet provides you with everything you require.

    It's not "a lot" harder to get fats and protein from plants. Fats are a total no-brainer: Nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, etc. Easy. Protein requires a little more thought, as does iron, calcium (for vegan or no-dairy vegetarians), B12, etc. Trust me, I have 43+ years experience as a vegetarian: You're overstating the difficulty. There is a little more attention required. If you have a reason, it's NBD.

    Some plant foods have complete protein, such as soy and and quinoa. Others can be combined to get complete protein (well-rounded profile of essential amino acids).

    Please be factually accurate.

    I agree that people with zero ethical or taste-preference reasons shouldn't bother being vegetarian or vegan, especially not for health or weight loss. Not worth it. But good vegetarian/vegan nutrition is far from rocket science.

    Interesting, I wasn't aware that plants could provide complete amino acid requirements. I've learnt something new!

    Sorry, I guess what I meant more was that people do need to be a bit more educated on how to meet their protein, iron and B12 needs when switching. Most articles don't seem to really give enough information on this.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,225 Member
    TrishSeren wrote: »
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    TrishSeren wrote: »
    Vegan and vegetarian diets are more about your morals and less about if you can lose weight. In fact, I think it's mildly insulting that anyone decides to become a vegan or vegetarian for weight loss because that's not the point of why people choose to stop eating meat or meat products.

    Secondly, they aren't "healthier" it's not that simple. Animal products have naturally higher levels of protein and fat and whilst it's not impossible to get protein and fats from plants it is A LOT harder. Protein deficiency is a thing and it's not pretty.

    Also, animal products have essential amino acids which are, essential to human function. Plant proteins don't have these and we're unable to produce them ourselves so you need to consume them through diet.

    Of course, I'd never say don't become a vegan or vegetarian but make sure you are doing it for the right reasons AND have all of the correct information to ensure your diet provides you with everything you require.

    It's not "a lot" harder to get fats and protein from plants. Fats are a total no-brainer: Nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, etc. Easy. Protein requires a little more thought, as does iron, calcium (for vegan or no-dairy vegetarians), B12, etc. Trust me, I have 43+ years experience as a vegetarian: You're overstating the difficulty. There is a little more attention required. If you have a reason, it's NBD.

    Some plant foods have complete protein, such as soy and and quinoa. Others can be combined to get complete protein (well-rounded profile of essential amino acids).

    Please be factually accurate.

    I agree that people with zero ethical or taste-preference reasons shouldn't bother being vegetarian or vegan, especially not for health or weight loss. Not worth it. But good vegetarian/vegan nutrition is far from rocket science.

    Interesting, I wasn't aware that plants could provide complete amino acid requirements. I've learnt something new!

    Sorry, I guess what I meant more was that people do need to be a bit more educated on how to meet their protein, iron and B12 needs when switching. Most articles don't seem to really give enough information on this.

    Yup. :)
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