Are you looking to lose weight? Then the benefits of vegan weight loss meal plan should not be overlooked. Stories of people losing 20, 30, 40 pounds or more on a vegan diet for weight loss are real and I want to share with you some of my secrets including some of my favourite vegan recipes. As you know I am passionate about the vegan way of life as it helps me look and feel my best, giving me the energy I need for work and play.
Results - the Vegan Way!
Going vegan is not a fad. Millions of people including Bill Clinton, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé have embraced the vegan way of life and while most of cannot afford a live-in vegan chef, there are some simple steps we can take to create a vegan weight loss meal that tastes great and will help us to get back into shape.
According to a study published in a recent edition of the Journal of General Internal Medicine, ‘People on a vegetarian diet, and especially those following a vegan one that includes no animal products, see better results than dieters on other weight-reducing plans.’[1] This confirms what I have known all along – going vegan is just plain better for you.
However, giving up meat, eggs, and cheese can be tricky. For many people, these items are their primary sources of protein and other nutrients. Also, many people mistakenly consider unhealthy processed foods as part of a vegan diet for weight loss and this is simply not true. To make veganism work, you need to develop a vegan weight loss meal plan.
As you start laying out your plan, do not feel you need to replace meat. I simply cannot stand when people pretend that tofu and wheat gluten can be touched up to be a Whopper. And why would you want to? Part of the joy of being vegan is the new foods you get to try. So do not ‘replace’ your meat – single out vegetable based sources of protein and embrace the new flavors that will help you look and feel better.
Two of my favorites are Seitan and Tempeh. Seitan is found in a lot of vegan diet recipes and I cannot get enough of this recipe for Seitan in Peanut Sauce. Whilst Tempeh made from soy but is denser than tofu. The increased density makes it a great source of protein – 18 grams of protein per 100 gram serving as compared to 9 grams for tofu. One of my favorite vegan recipes is Balinese Tempeh, which I first came across it in a great little vegan restaurant in Ubud.
I prefer tempeh over tofu as tofu contains a natural chemical called phytoestrogens, which has the opposite effect of testosterone and can inhibit weight loss.
The Secret of Success?
Another key to a successful vegan meal weight loss plan is managing your carbs as replacing your meat-based proteins with fat and empty carbs really defeats the purpose of dieting in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the vegan way of life, but the key is not to overindulge. For example, don’t fall into the desert trap thinking just because it is vegan I can eat a little more. The same rules apply and you should try to manage your intake of carbs to ensure your new vegan diet reaches your weight loss goals. Also, watch out for vegan sodas as the can be just as bad as the mass-market varieties.
Now it is time to get your power on, reach out for a plant-based protein powder to help prevent weight gain. This might sound a bit odd as your focus is a vegan diet for weight loss, but the key to success is a balanced diet and researchers have found that people who include higher amounts of plant-based protein in their diet are less likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome – which includes obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.
Protein Power?
My favorite protein powder is Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein, it is a great source of fiber and has 15 grams of protein per scoop. By the way, hemp seeds are one of the superfoods that can help you lose weight and burn fat. For a bit of fun, mix the protein with fruit to create a high-protein, low-fat smoothie; a vegan diet recipe trick is to change the dairy base to unsweetened almond milk.
Snacking - Vegan Style!
If you are feeling the urge, there are a number of vegan ?snack options including vegan pizza, chia bars, and cauliflower poppers among others. Another option is to start popping peppers, which are full of the metabolism booster, dihydrocapsiate. Mix peppers with broccoli and spinach and you have a great snack option for any vegan weight loss plan.
I love the vegan lifestyle, the adventure of finding new food options and taking the time to learn more about what I am eating and how it affects my health and wellbeing. This article gives you just some of my secrets losing weight on a vegan diet, but remember the most important elements of any diet, vegan or otherwise, is to enjoy what you are eating, don’t over indulge, and lastly stick with it.
[1] Hunag, Ru-Yi. Journal of General Internal Medicine. ‘To shed weight, go vegan’. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
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