Has anyone lost weight from becoming vegetarian/vegan?

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Considering it.....just curious. I really want to be as healthy as I can be, although I know that everyone has a different opinion on what is 'healthy' though.
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  • loopylis
    loopylis Posts: 116 Member
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    I havent become a vegetarian, but I did start eating a lot of vegetarian meat instead of proper meat, just for the fact it was lower in calories. I have found that most stuff doesnt taste any different, its healthier, and yes I noticed the difference
  • sugarbone
    sugarbone Posts: 454 Member
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    You can be perfectly healthy if you're eating meat, I know many veggies/vegans who stuff themselves with processed foods and are fat and in poor health. It just happens to be byproduct in some people, if they really stick to eating mostly veggies (as veggies have almost no calories). Try to stick to white meat though (chicken, turkey).
  • O2Bslimagain
    O2Bslimagain Posts: 120 Member
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    I went Vegan for a month and loved it! I am not a big meat eater, so that didn't bother me, but going without eggs, honey, butter was hard, but I lasted the month. I tried some really yummy recipes using black beans. I cook alot with tvp and I like that. I did lose weight, but I was exercising too. I find that many vegans supplement with sugary snacks and foods and that could be bad, so if you go that route watch out for that. Just make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet. Good luck.
  • Adrenaline_Queen
    Adrenaline_Queen Posts: 626 Member
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    Considering it.....just curious. I really want to be as healthy as I can be, although I know that everyone has a different opinion on what is 'healthy' though.

    Years ago I was a veggie and have friends who are vegans (who have been for most of their life) I would say, no they are not skinny, but none of them are over weight. If that makes sense, also they are always eating! or grazing!!

    I do know my friends are very healthy as they watch what it is they are eating and know what will give them the best cause of energy or protein depending on what it is they are looking for xx
  • BeverageTreats
    BeverageTreats Posts: 149 Member
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    I ate vegan for three months once. It was about ten years ago. I lost over 20 lbs but felt terrible, so I added back seafood.
  • Freaky3kirsty
    Freaky3kirsty Posts: 26 Member
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    I am vegetarian I have been for many years, it can be a healthier diet. But as with eating meat you still need to watch what your eating your not going to suddenly be thin just because you dont eat meat..... believe me I know!

    Good luck :)
  • skinimin
    skinimin Posts: 252 Member
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    Healthy is getting all the right nutrients. Well I think so anyway. I think listening to your body would be the best idea. I'm not a vegetarian but I have cut down on meat a lot, not on purpose I just really like vegetables and can't be bothered cooking meat sometimes. Plus it adds sooo many calories to my day. If I stick to eating fruits and vegetables with something like oats or bran for my breakfast and one or two breakfast bars as snacks throughout the day I feel so much slimmer and I notice that my body changes shape, my stomach is flatter and I just feel better generally, less sluggish. That's just me though, and that's also with some kind of exercise, like power walking 3km in 30 minutes everyday or something. Try out different foods and see which ones agree with you, that's what I suggest.
  • vegangirl88
    vegangirl88 Posts: 104 Member
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    When I first went vegan I shed 6stone (84lbs). But I have also gained 3stone (42lbs) back as a vegan. If you are eating fresh vegan produce you will lose weight as it is a low fat, plant based diet. But it is easy to fall into the trap of eating ready made or processed vegan foods. In the UK as well most food marketed as being specifically vegan (in the "Free From" aisles) is usually snack food. But as long as you stick to eating frersh fruits and veggies, beans and pulses you can lose a lot, and be more healthy as your vitimin intake will increase if you don't usually eat a plant based diet.

    Also, dont think vegan diets are boring or labourous. I have plenty of yummy vegan recipes that take hardly any work and are delicious! I've just started writing these on a blog (mostly so i dont have to keep track of all the bits of paper i've scribbled recipes down on!), feel free to use them! I will be adding more soon, plus there are thousands if you search on Google.

    http://favouriteveganrecipes.blogspot.com/

    ^^ that's my blog.

    Hope that helps! xxx
  • AH2013
    AH2013 Posts: 385 Member
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    I've been a veggie for 23 years!! Since I was 13 years old. As I am on MFP I think it is clear that being veggie does not always mean healthy! My meals are far better and healthier than most of my friends, but if you're eating chocolate and crisps and cakes on top of your healthy meals (most of which are veggie so why not?) then you have no chance of losing weight. The only benefit really is that I have (even at my heaviest) never had a problem with cholesterol, limited chance of various stomach upsets caused by meat, I have no cellulite and I have never suffered with high blood pressure. If you are thinking of becoming a vegetarian please take vitamin supplements daily, especially B12 which is a vitamin you'll be lacking in giving up meat.

    I once tried to become vegan but really, life is tooooo short for that!! :laugh:
  • Stripycat
    Stripycat Posts: 66 Member
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    I gave up meat 10 years ago, and the first thing I noticed was that my body mass seemed to change. I carried weight differently, but the weight was still there. It was almost as though my body density had changed with my diet.

    When I'm running, the weight comes off easily, but when I'm not exercising it really piles on, because I'm used to eating big portions of yummy food to get what my Dad calls "all the goodies" in.

    Thanks to MFP, I've found I'm not getting enough protein for the amount of exercise I've been doing, and I'm having to find new ways to do that (more nuts... hurray!).

    One of the reasons I would not go vegan (and I tried it for 2 weeks), is the need to get hold of specialised products and processed food - I prefer to make my meals from scratch, and resent paying someone else to do it for me and giving them control of what goes in. Also, I realised after 2 weeks of feeling weak, although I'm aware of the effect my love of milk and cheese has on the planet and the cattle trade, nothing can stop me lusting after stilton!
  • McKayMachina
    McKayMachina Posts: 2,670 Member
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    I was vegetarian for the 8 or so years while I gained over 100 lbs. of fat. lol So, I certainly wouldn't attribute going veg with weight loss. Now I eat chicken (and other meats on occasion) and am losing quite well. But, to be fair, it can be done with non-animal derived lean protein sources, as well. :)
  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
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    I'm not a vegetarian but there is a vegetarian fast food here that I really like however I noticed their foods are oily & some are high in calories. So the thing is even if you're a vegetarian but practically eating those potato chips or any other bad stuff, then it won't make any difference to the one who eats 2 big macs everyday.
  • RuthAne
    RuthAne Posts: 130
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    About 8 years ago I went vegan for a while and dropped 15 lbs.
  • 1smemae94
    1smemae94 Posts: 365 Member
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    Hello! It all depends on what you're eating. If you're eating a healthy variety of fruits, veggies, grains, nuts/beans and seeds, you will lose weight. Granted, you can also do this eating meat. Since going vegetarian though i have felt alot better, haven't felt bloated, and havent felt the least bit deprived. I would recommend trying it for a few weeks, do some research and see how it goes. You have to make sure you are getting vitamin B12 though. It is found in fortified soymilk and cereals. Along with a multi vitamin and you'll be fine. Best of luck.
  • eflint
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    I've been a vegetarian for about 3 years. At first the weight fell off. Even now, I only have about 15 pounds to lose.
    Replace meat with veggies and you will do fine. I find that when I eat at home, I can barely meet my calories. Eating out is when I pack them on. Protein is in everything. I almost always go over my protein. But I eat beans and nuts every day. It's also in cereals and cheese and milk (if you decide to keep with those.)
    My favorite meal is veggie tacos. I saute a bunch of veggies (zucchini, potatoes, peppers) and use that in place of meat. I also re-fry my own beans. My kids love this too. Ethnic foods are much easier than typical American meals.
    Good luck. It can be done, but with care.
  • bjs06
    bjs06 Posts: 316 Member
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    I was a vegetarian for 3 years and at first I lost a few lbs but unless you are eating well along with being a vegetarian it wont do a whole lot for you. I have almost completely cut out red meat though from my current diet and I think it's really getting me somewhere. I eat lots of fish, chicken and when I want a burger I use ground turkey. There are a lot less benefits and a lot more health risks with red meat so if you aren't ready to fully commit to vegetarianism or vegan-ism I recommend trying this first.
  • bjs06
    bjs06 Posts: 316 Member
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    I was a vegetarian for 3 years and at first I lost a few lbs but unless you are eating well along with being a vegetarian it wont do a whole lot for you. I have almost completely cut out red meat though from my current diet and I think it's really getting me somewhere. I eat lots of fish, chicken and when I want a burger I use ground turkey. There are a lot less benefits and a lot more health risks with red meat so if you aren't ready to fully commit to vegetarianism or vegan-ism I recommend trying this first.
  • Lisa_222
    Lisa_222 Posts: 301 Member
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    It all depends on what you eat. Calories are calories when it comes to weight loss and believe me, I have tried every other possible method other than counting calories which is the only thing that appears to be working. You can be a vegetarian on tofu and vegetables or on pizza and french fries. It's all about healthy choices and burning more than you consume.
  • ce47862
    ce47862 Posts: 8 Member
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    I have followed the engine2 diet which is basically Vegan and have lost 23 pound in 26 days .... I am not really exercising much .... I think using this site and changing my diet has made remarkable progress for me .... Candidly I had no expectation of this type of result ....
  • girard5
    girard5 Posts: 109 Member
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    Do you like veggies, fruits, nuts, beans...you get the picture...and do you like to cook? If not I wouldn't recommend it or you may just fall into the empty carb pit and then no becoming vegetarian wouldn't be healthy nor would it help you lose weight.