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Vegetarian Weight Loss
by Richard Hill, Ph.D. |
Vegetarian Weight Loss for Big Eaters
For people who really like to eat, the worst part of losing weight
is decreasing portion size. But if you become a full time or even
temporary vegetarian, weight loss is almost automatic. You can
lose a pound a day or more, no matter how huge your portions.
Here's the secret of vegetarian weight loss for the person who
loves large meals:
Vegetarian Weight loss tip # 1: Eliminate all meat from
your diet
Vegetarian Weight loss tip # 2: Eliminate all dairy products
from your diet
Vegetarian Weight loss tip # 3: Eliminate all bread, pasta,
and oils (refried beans, margarine, cooking oil, peanut butter)
from your diet.
I know--you're thinking, "So what do I eat for vegetarian
weight loss? Grass? But once you eliminate the foods that really
put on the weight, you can throw away your calorie book and eat
all you want of delicious fruits, huge salads, and your favorite
cooked vegetables---and still lose more weight than friends who
are starving themselves or following various bizarre high-protein
diets.
Here's some sample vegetarian weight loss menus:
Vegetarian Weight Loss Breakfast: Get a big bowl and fill
it with fruit you like: oranges, grapes, apples, pears, persimmons,
watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, nectarines---there are so many
delicious fruits that you can have plenty of variety. Dig in and
eat fruit until you're stuffed. We think we need "food that
sticks to the ribs" for breakfast, but you will have the
same full, satiated feeling with a few pounds of fruit as you
would have with ham, eggs, and pancakes. Try it, you'll see.
Vegetarian Weight Loss Lunch: Have a salad first---not
a puny dinner salad with iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato, and
a gob of high-fat Thousand Island, but a huge, real salad. Shred
some cabbage and carrots for a base, then add a whole tomato or
two, sliced as you like it. Try some Romaine lettuce, radishes,
kale, endive, raw spinach---fill a huge bowl with raw vegetables
and go to it. Half an avocado is okay once in a while; avocados
are supposed to be high in fat, but a half is okay. For dressing,
try the juice of half an orange squeezed over the top. For variety,
try the juice of half a lemon.
After the salad, have a large portion of mixed steamed vegetables:
potatoes, carrots, parsnips, cabbage, spinach, sweet potatoes---whatever
strikes your fancy. Use soy sauce to season, or anything but butter,
margarine, etc. Eat all you want---stuff yourself---you'll feel
just as full as if you had a triple burger, fries, and milk shake,
but you'll be losing weight.
Vegetarian Weight Loss Dinner: Same as lunch, only different
vegetables. Once in a while, you can have steamed brown rice and
tofu with your vegetables. Or try a vegetarian chili recipe, keeping
the chili to beans, vegetables and whatever spice combination
you prefer. Have seconds, have thirds---you'll still lose weight.
Vegetarian weight loss is the key to dieting for people who hate
to diet. You may think you're craving this or that, but once you
eat the meals, you'll feel full and satisfied, and you'll lose
weight rapidly, especially if you exercise. No need for fancy
exercise, either---work up to walking 2-3 miles per day, stick
to the diet, and the pounds will melt away, without ever having
that "empty" feeling. Sounds too easy, but it works---try
it for two weeks, and you'll be amazed.
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Rick Hill, Ph.D. writes articles, fiction, and poetry and teaches writing at the college level. His new book of poems, No Hands, can be ordered here. |
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