Can vegetables make you fat?
flippy1234
Posts: 686 Member
I love vegetables. I am planning to go mostly vegan. Can too many vegetables make you gain weight?
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Replies
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Enough calories from anything will cause weight gain.0
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Yes.0
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Vegetables as in steamed or roasted green things without a lot of other stuff? It would be a challenge to get fat off 100% vegetables. That said, I've known a lot of over weight and undernourished vegetarians. They are overweight largely for reasons other than vegetables.0
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even if you're vegetarian, you need to eat more than just fruit and veg....a little research is in order on your part.
beyond that, weight management is all about energy balance or lack thereof. a calorie is just a unit of energy. our bodies are just machines and like any machine, our bodies require energy (in this case calories) to function optimally. when a balance of energy is consumed (regardless of what your particular diet plan is), you maintain weight. when more energy than your body requires is consumed, that excess energy is stored in the backup generator (your fat stores) for later use. when less energy is consumed than is required to maintain the status quo, the back up generator kicks on and you burn fat for energy to make up the difference.
it doesn't have anything to do with whether or not you're vegetarian, vegan...whatever....do a little research. if you're choosing a vegetarian lifestyle, you should do it for the right reasons...there are plenty of fat vegetarians out there....there are also a lot of sickly vegetarians out there because they actually don't know jack about proper nutrition and they malnourish themselves....you need to do your research and learn a little about proper nutrition.0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »even if you're vegetarian, you need to eat more than just fruit and veg....a little research is in order on your part.
beyond that, weight management is all about energy balance or lack thereof. a calorie is just a unit of energy. our bodies are just machines and like any machine, our bodies require energy (in this case calories) to function optimally. when a balance of energy is consumed (regardless of what your particular diet plan is), you maintain weight. when more energy than your body requires is consumed, that excess energy is stored in the backup generator (your fat stores) for later use. when less energy is consumed than is required to maintain the status quo, the back up generator kicks on and you burn fat for energy to make up the difference.
it doesn't have anything to do with whether or not you're vegetarian, vegan...whatever....do a little research. if you're choosing a vegetarian lifestyle, you should do it for the right reasons...there are plenty of fat vegetarians out there....there are also a lot of sickly vegetarians out there because they actually don't know jack about proper nutrition and they malnourish themselves....you need to do your research and learn a little about proper nutrition.
Thank you very much. I am definitely looking into it further before I make any major decisions.0 -
Too much calories ( eating Surplus) can make you fat.
So yes, when you eat too much vegetables or any other food that makes you go over your maintaining level makes you gain weight.
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Too much of anything will make you fat, but you'd have a heck of time gaining weight on veggies. You'd have to eat so much food!
I've never met a fat vegan, but I've known plenty of fat vegetarians. It wasn't the veggies making them fat, though.
Word of advice: You cannot be mostly vegan. Vegan is a lifestyle, not a diet. You're all in or you're not vegan. The term "plant-based diet" is preferred for those who aren't all in. I'm not personally offended! Just a heads up.
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Non starchy veg? Technically, yes, in reality I seriously doubt it -- you'd struggle to eat enough. It's also not healthy as you'd be low on protein and fat.
Simply vegan, no meat or animal products? Yes, it's very possible to gain weight on that. One of my vegan friends is overweight, and that vegan place Native Foods has much higher cal meals than the lunch places I normally frequent. I do think it's likely to involve a reduction in cals for many, but you also have to be careful to get adequate nutrients and it will be hard to stick to unless you have ethical commitments (and if you do, I support your decision to act on them, even though it's not my view).0 -
Too much of anything will make you fat, but you'd have a heck of time gaining weight on veggies. You'd have to eat so much food!
I've never met a fat vegan, but I've known plenty of fat vegetarians. It wasn't the veggies making them fat, though.
Word of advice: You cannot be mostly vegan. Vegan is a lifestyle, not a diet. You're all in or you're not vegan. The term "plant-based diet" is preferred for those who aren't all in. I'm not personally offended! Just a heads up.
Just saying... I was a fat vegan. I'm now no longer a fat vegan. I'm now a pretty darn fit vegan and I did it all through cico. I was fat because I ate whatever I wanted in whatever quantities I wanted and as cico dictates, I got fat.0 -
I eat a lot of veggies. Like a ton. I don't worry about raw veggies though, because if I eat too many my body quickly let's me know and makes room. You would have to eat so many vegetables (just thinking raw veggies not your other food throughout the day) to go over your calorie intake and you would have a colon blow in the process. But as another poster pointed out, you can gain weight being vegan....did you know oreos are vegan?
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Too many calories make you fat. There are overweight and obese vegetarians and vegans.0
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I eat meat about once a week and grow my own vegetables. I need plenty of energy for the gardening and get all the protein I need from occasional white meat, nuts, cheese, eggs etc. None of these foods ever made me put on weight. What got me putting on the pounds was sugar and grain products (bread etc). Comfort food. Needing an instant hit of energy at work that actually left me more exhausted. The usual. Being vegetarian is a personal/ethical choice, not a slimming aid.0
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flippy1234 wrote: »I love vegetables. I am planning to go mostly vegan. Can too many vegetables make you gain weight?
Only you can make you gain fat. If YOU eat too many calories, no matter the source, you will gain fat.0 -
Too much of anything will make you fat, but you'd have a heck of time gaining weight on veggies. You'd have to eat so much food!
I've never met a fat vegan, but I've known plenty of fat vegetarians. It wasn't the veggies making them fat, though.
Word of advice: You cannot be mostly vegan. Vegan is a lifestyle, not a diet. You're all in or you're not vegan. The term "plant-based diet" is preferred for those who aren't all in. I'm not personally offended! Just a heads up.
I was an overweight vegan, although your point about veganism being something you do or don't is a very good one.0 -
yes, calories in v. calories out0
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The overweight vegans I have known ate a lot of high calorie replacement foods, like cashew cheese, veggie crumbles etc. They were not eating just celery and apples all day. Cashew cheese is the bomb by the way. First time my cousin offered it to me I thought she was crazy. It was delicious, and you could actually spread it on a cracker.0
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calories in vs. calories out.
I have been a vegetarian my whole life and got fat in my early 20s. It all comes down to how many calories you're eating.
Some things to watch out for especially as a vegetarian/vegan:
Smoothies, shakes, and juices. Because you are not sitting down and gnawing on fruits and veggies that go into these your body is not receiving the fiber and is also not giving you the "okay, i'm full, stop eating signal". It is incredibly easy to eat 1,000+ calories in a shake, smoothie, and juice and feel like it was NOTHING!
Dates, avocados, coconut oil, and nuts like cashews, peanuts, etc.
These are ALWAYS in "healthy" vegan/vegetarian dishes I see, usually being use to make a substitute or different texture in foods. These are SUPER packed with calories. My advice would again be, use them sparingly and avoid recipes that ask you to blend them up in them.
nut butters:
Man, are they tasty, right? But at 200 + calories for a few tablespoons its really easy to over eat on nut butters. Watch these carefully!
Of course eat what you'd like but dont be under the impression that you can eat these in recipes and they're "healthy" while ignoring their caloric content.
Something else to be aware of is... Making sure you don't have any nutritional deficiencies. As a vegetarian here's a few things i've been deficient in: Vitamin B 12, Iron, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Calcium, Essential Fats (i recommend taking a fish/krill/flax oil supplement).
All in all for this diet to be both successful long term and lead to overall health careful planning is required. Don't just "wing it".0 -
Too much of anything will make you fat, but you'd have a heck of time gaining weight on veggies. You'd have to eat so much food!
I've never met a fat vegan, but I've known plenty of fat vegetarians. It wasn't the veggies making them fat, though.
Word of advice: You cannot be mostly vegan. Vegan is a lifestyle, not a diet. You're all in or you're not vegan. The term "plant-based diet" is preferred for those who aren't all in. I'm not personally offended! Just a heads up.
I have known plenty of overweight and obese people who have followed every single lifestyle or way of eating, including vegans, vegetarians, paleo, atkins, etc.... In fact, I used to work with several.
Yes, regardless of which what you, you can gain weight.0 -
The overweight vegans I have known ate a lot of high calorie replacement foods, like cashew cheese, veggie crumbles etc. They were not eating just celery and apples all day. Cashew cheese is the bomb by the way. First time my cousin offered it to me I thought she was crazy. It was delicious, and you could actually spread it on a cracker.
Cashew cheese is amazing. Have you tried cashew ice cream yet?0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »The overweight vegans I have known ate a lot of high calorie replacement foods, like cashew cheese, veggie crumbles etc. They were not eating just celery and apples all day. Cashew cheese is the bomb by the way. First time my cousin offered it to me I thought she was crazy. It was delicious, and you could actually spread it on a cracker.
Cashew cheese is amazing. Have you tried cashew ice cream yet?
OMG NO! What is this magic you speak of? I have had cashew crema, which is basically sour cream. I wanted to lick the bowl it was so good. Do share!0 -
The fat vegetarians I know tend to eat a lot of starchy vegetables. My guess is that there are increased calories there compared to green leafy vegetables. I'm also guessing they have insulin resistance, based on their apple shape / beer bellies, so they may do better with fewer carbs, as many people with insulin resistance do.
I can't imagine gaining weight as a vegetarian without a surplus of starchy grains or root veggies.0 -
@rainbowbow I just gotta say I really enjoyed your informed post, loaded with personal experience. I'm NOT a vegetarian but I eat several plant-based (thanks @kalikel ) meals a week.
@flippy1234 , it might pay for you to understand macro portioning and how to put a meal together that includes them all. This would reduce the potential for deficiencies and help you feel fuller longer.
Protein:
Fats:
Carbs:
Vegetable/Carbs:
Putting them together:
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janejellyroll wrote: »The overweight vegans I have known ate a lot of high calorie replacement foods, like cashew cheese, veggie crumbles etc. They were not eating just celery and apples all day. Cashew cheese is the bomb by the way. First time my cousin offered it to me I thought she was crazy. It was delicious, and you could actually spread it on a cracker.
Cashew cheese is amazing. Have you tried cashew ice cream yet?
OMG NO! What is this magic you speak of? I have had cashew crema, which is basically sour cream. I wanted to lick the bowl it was so good. Do share!
Are you in the US? So Delicious makes a cashew ice cream that is the best vegan ice cream I've ever had. I have tried the salted caramel and the cappuchino and highly recommend both.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »The overweight vegans I have known ate a lot of high calorie replacement foods, like cashew cheese, veggie crumbles etc. They were not eating just celery and apples all day. Cashew cheese is the bomb by the way. First time my cousin offered it to me I thought she was crazy. It was delicious, and you could actually spread it on a cracker.
Cashew cheese is amazing. Have you tried cashew ice cream yet?
OMG NO! What is this magic you speak of? I have had cashew crema, which is basically sour cream. I wanted to lick the bowl it was so good. Do share!
Are you in the US? So Delicious makes a cashew ice cream that is the best vegan ice cream I've ever had. I have tried the salted caramel and the cappuchino and highly recommend both.
Yes I am in the US. I like the So Delicious brand. I will have to check it out. I love anything salted caramel.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »The overweight vegans I have known ate a lot of high calorie replacement foods, like cashew cheese, veggie crumbles etc. They were not eating just celery and apples all day. Cashew cheese is the bomb by the way. First time my cousin offered it to me I thought she was crazy. It was delicious, and you could actually spread it on a cracker.
Cashew cheese is amazing. Have you tried cashew ice cream yet?
OMG NO! What is this magic you speak of? I have had cashew crema, which is basically sour cream. I wanted to lick the bowl it was so good. Do share!
Are you in the US? So Delicious makes a cashew ice cream that is the best vegan ice cream I've ever had. I have tried the salted caramel and the cappuchino and highly recommend both.
I will second this nomination for awesome Ice Cream... it's really good.0 -
@rainbowbow I just gotta say I really enjoyed your informed post, loaded with personal experience. I'm NOT a vegetarian but I eat several plant-based (thanks @kalikel ) meals a week.
@flippy1234 , it might pay for you to understand macro portioning and how to put a meal together that includes them all. This would reduce the potential for deficiencies and help you feel fuller longer.
Protein:
Fats:
Carbs:
Vegetable/Carbs:
Putting them together:
This is excellent. Thank you for posting.0
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