To Veg or not to veg

It obviously depends on what you're eating. I mean you could eat cookies and chips all day and technically be a vegetarian. It's scientifically proven that people who eat less red meat normally live a healthier life style. It won't necessarily make you lose weight but if you do it right it can only help you.

-Meat has more fats than vegetables and carbs, and most meat fats are the bad kind.
Vegetables have the healthy fats. Even olives and avocados, which are fairly high in fat, have the good fats and are chock full of vitamins and minerals.
-Vegetables and grains have lots of fiber--very good for digestion. Meat has no fiber and takes longer to be digested.
-The body must have protien, but you can get that from milk products, beans, and some other grains and vegetables--but in lower amounts than from meat.
I think those are the primary differences.

I've been vegetarian for about a year. I had been learning a lot about it then one day I just said okay I'm done. I thought it would be much harder than it has been. I don't really miss or crave meat. I totally agree with those who said it's easy to be an unhealthy vegetarian and only eat cheese and carbs, etc. However, for me, I chose to be veg because of nutrition and was already eating very healthy. I am a better cook now too because I hated dealing with raw meat before and wouldn't want to cook. Now I'm really creative in the kitchen and it pays off. There are a lot of neat non-meat options out there besides just tofu. Also, I think some people's body's are more suited to being vegetarian than others. When I first was veg (but eating a healthy diet too). I lost about 10 pounds. Then there was about 6 months where I didn't work out or count my calories, but remained vegetarian and eating pretty healthy. For the first time in my life, I maintained rather than gaining. Normally, if I wan't actively watching what I ate and working out I would gain. This was a real eye opener for me. Also, I noticed I make better choices because meat isn't an option. When I am at someones house, or a baseball game or hungry late at night, certain things aren't an option and so I don't eat them. Fast food chains have no options. I can't eat hot dogs at ball games or burgers at a bbq. Instead, I stick with the healthy veg friendly options. I just find I make better choices when I'm out. When you're dieting you find ways to "cheat" but being vegetarian you can't "cheat." At least I can't. It's no meat, no way for me. So just this week I finally decided to get back on the band wagon, start using MFP and counting my calories. I've lost 7 pounds in 6 days and am super motivated. Oh yeah, I've also noticed my skin and hair and much better since being vegetarian. Hope this helps!

-Meat has more fats than vegetables and carbs, and most meat fats are the bad kind.
Vegetables have the healthy fats. Even olives and avocados, which are fairly high in fat, have the good fats and are chock full of vitamins and minerals.
-Vegetables and grains have lots of fiber--very good for digestion. Meat has no fiber and takes longer to be digested.
-The body must have protien, but you can get that from milk products, beans, and some other grains and vegetables--but in lower amounts than from meat.
I think those are the primary differences.

There are plenty of studies that state that the natural occurring fats in meats are not unhealthy.............

Back to topic. Almost every person I know that has done a vegetarian lifestyle ends up blowing out their thyroid function. You should thoroughly research before embarking on this endeavor.

I know many vegetarians and vegans who do it right and feel much better than they did before they changed their lifestyle. I know you're all about an Atkins lifestyle and I respect that. You have the freedom to get healthy in whatever way you chose but there are pros and cons to every option. There are always going to be things to pay attention to and no matter what you do you have to be careful.