Vegan vs. eating clean

VeggieKidMandy

I used to be a vegetarian ( for about 4 years), and now that I am actively trying to lose weight - to be exact I have 40 lbs to go until I am in my ideal weight range - I was thinking about going vegetarian again. I was recently informed about all the scary things they put in dairy as well, so Im not worried about just meat anymore, but dairy as well. My question is, if I am trying to lose weight would it be wise to go Vegan seeing as how I cut dairy out of my diet already? I still eat chicken, but I am thinking of giving it up.
Will I loose weight switching to a Vegan diet as I have already seen results eating clean?
I really would appreciate responses! this is driving me crazy.

VeggieKidMandy

also I have cut butter/peanut butter and oil out of my diet as well.

torrmairi

Honestly, it's easy to maintain or gain weight on a vegan diet, especially if you see it as a restriction instead of a lifestyle choice. I remember I went through a detox period when I first went vegan, but plateaued after some time - I can get away with more, usually because plant matter is less calorie dense, but there is so much junk food you can veganise.

You could just choose a rough percentage of your food/calories to meet with fruit and vegetables, then use the rest for whatever you want to eat - if you're eating about 80% fresh produce, you'll see results whether or not you're consuming any animal products. Not only in your weight, but you should see your health improve generally.

VeggieKidMandy

thankyou , that helps a lot. Yeah I know a few people who are vegan and some of the stuff they buy from the health food store isn't so healthy.

NoAdditives

also I have cut butter/peanut butter and oil out of my diet as well.

That's probably not a good idea. Your body needs healthy fats. The butter isn't a big deal, but olive oil and peanut oil are a couple of the best fats for your body.

mamaclose

I try to eat both clean AND vegan, is it possible? Sure. Is it hard? Absolutely. I have slip ups, especially the week after TOM.

Engine 2 Diet is a great resource as well as Happy Herbivore.

Csitri

bump
interested in answers.

BobbyDaniel

I don't see where it has to be a one or another; no matter what kind of diet you are eating there are a lot of junk food options. I've recently started eating a plant based diet and I've noticed how it is very easy to turn to the processed stuff as fillers and I've just been learning how to say "no" to those things and make sure I'm sticking with the whole fruits & vegetables or if I'm eating something processed I process it myself in my kitchen! I'm considering giving vegan a shot, and I will stick with what I'm doing currently and avoid the processed and keep it as clean as possible.

TheRealParisLove

Can you do it in a healthy manner without using fake meat and fake dairy products? If so, I say go for it! But most vegans I've met are eating a ton of processed soy products. Soy is largely GMO today, and probably not at all healthy. I still have tofu, miso or tempeh every now and again, but I won't allow soy into my diet on a regular basis due to the franken-food factor.

There are lots of great organic diary products, and you may even be able to get non-pasteurized milk from a local organic dairy if you are looking for purity in food. (depending on your location. California and Oregon have outlawed the sale of unpasteurized cow's milk, but we have cannabis dispensaries on every corner, LOL).

mamagooskie

I haven't found vegan eating to help me lose weight faster, but I have a much easier time maintaining when I make poor food choices (since I have less unhealthy options to choose from) I've been vegan for almost 1 year.

emacb123

also I have cut butter/peanut butter and oil out of my diet as well.

That's probably not a good idea. Your body needs healthy fats. The butter isn't a big deal, but olive oil and peanut oil are a couple of the best fats for your body.

Forget the peanut butter, I want to eat your puppy!!!!!

So cute!!!!

Helloitsdan

Eat whatever you want under your TDEE to lose weight.

This includes McDonalds and HoHos and twinkies.

Rhea30

also I have cut butter/peanut butter and oil out of my diet as well.

That's probably not a good idea. Your body needs healthy fats. The butter isn't a big deal, but olive oil and peanut oil are a couple of the best fats for your body.

^ This, make sure you are still getting in fats. Fats help with many vital functions in your body.

VeggieKidMandy

oh im sorry, i didnt mean olive oil , i meant vegetable oil/ crisco butter, that type of stuff

VeggieKidMandy

thank you for t hose suggestions! I will deff. look into it.

VeggieKidMandy

also I have cut butter/peanut butter and oil out of my diet as well.

That's probably not a good idea. Your body needs healthy fats. The butter isn't a big deal, but olive oil and peanut oil are a couple of the best fats for your body.

I am sorry I miswrote that, what I meant was I am cutting out butter/vegetable oil/crisco etc etc
i am switching from peanut butter to almond butter instead as well. Ive never really liked peanut butter.

VeggieKidMandy

I try to eat both clean AND vegan, is it possible? Sure. Is it hard? Absolutely. I have slip ups, especially the week after TOM.

Engine 2 Diet is a great resource as well as Happy Herbivore.

Thank you for the suggestions! I will deff. look into those!

123bree1997

I am a gluten free vegan and im losing weight so fast! I mostly eat fruit, vegetables, beans, and homemade soup

denvervegan

One clarification that needs to be made here: Veganism encompasses much more than diet, as vegans do not use animal products in any aspect of life. The correct term when talking about diet alone is "plant-based." Sorry to be picky, but it's an important distinction.

I would recommend finding some low-calorie foods you really enjoy and making them your staples. I am vegan, and I make a lot of meals with sweet potatoes, avocados, kale, portobello mushrooms, shirataki noodles, and beets. It's easy to eat "clean" and plant-based when you find some foods you really love.

You won't automatically lose weight eating plant-based, but it can open you up to healthy foods that are interesting and new to you. Try to cook for yourself rather than eating prepared foods, and you'll be on the right track. I try my best to shop exclusively in bulk and produce, and that helps too.

torrmairi

I hope it goes well for you, whatever you go for - I love almond butter & almond milk (well, the low salt, high almond kind) so I was glad to see you mention them. I know soy is divisive, but I personally love tofu and tempeh and consider them pretty clean.
Try to hit your protein macro - I'd never taken that seriously, like a lot of vegans, but I have serious fatigue issues if I just live off carbs like I'd like to. My muscle tone is shocking!

VeggieKidMandy

I am a gluten free vegan and im losing weight so fast! I mostly eat fruit, vegetables, beans, and homemade soup

that sounds like a good plan. I am not too happy about gluten lately either.

GnochhiGnomes

Eat whatever you want under your TDEE to lose weight.

This includes McDonalds and HoHos and twinkies.

^This.

Why do people love putting themselves on restrictive diets?

VeggieKidMandy

One clarification that needs to be made here: Veganism encompasses much more than diet, as vegans do not use animal products in any aspect of life. The correct term when talking about diet alone is "plant-based." Sorry to be picky, but it's an important distinction.

I would recommend finding some low-calorie foods you really enjoy and making them your staples. I am vegan, and I make a lot of meals with sweet potatoes, avocados, kale, portobello mushrooms, shirataki noodles, and beets. It's easy to eat "clean" and plant-based when you find some foods you really love.

You won't automatically lose weight eating plant-based, but it can open you up to healthy foods that are interesting and new to you. Try to cook for yourself rather than eating prepared foods, and you'll be on the right track. I try my best to shop exclusively in bulk and produce, and that helps too.

I try very hard to not use animal products. I know the difference between the diet and lifestyle. I tend to go organic as much as I can as well. Like I said earlier, I was used to be a vegetarian for many years, still a member of peta and a volunteer for the SPCA. I love animals. Thus why I said earlier I was wondering if I should go back to being a vegetarian or if I should step it up and not eat anything made from animals, seeing as how I don't eat dairy already, or any meat besides chicken, which I could easily give up due to the way they are slaughtered.

VeggieKidMandy

Eat whatever you want under your TDEE to lose weight.

This includes McDonalds and HoHos and twinkies.

^This.

Why do people love putting themselves on restrictive diets?

Im not really putting myself on a restrictive diet, I am just changing my lifestyle, again. haha. Its only restrictive if its a challenge and you dont enjoy it.

VeggieKidMandy

I hope it goes well for you, whatever you go for - I love almond butter & almond milk (well, the low salt, high almond kind) so I was glad to see you mention them. I know soy is divisive, but I personally love tofu and tempeh and consider them pretty clean.
Try to hit your protein macro - I'd never taken that seriously, like a lot of vegans, but I have serious fatigue issues if I just live off carbs like I'd like to. My muscle tone is shocking!

Thanks for your support, I should have mentioned earlier that I am an animal rights activist, so going vegan would make sense for me. I just didnt think to add it when I made my post. I will deff and try hit my protein quota. I dont want to look ill.

123bree1997

I have celiac disease so it is not wise to eat gluten lol