A low-fat vegetarian diet could help you lose about one pound per week and keep you healthy, says a new study.
Researchers compiled data from 87 previous studies to show that vegetarian diet is highly effective for weight loss, reported science portal EurekAlert.
It found that vegetarian populations tend to be slimmer than meat-eaters, and they experience lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other life-threatening conditions linked to overweight and obesity.
Rates of obesity in the general population are skyrocketing, while in vegetarians, obesity prevalence ranges from 0 per cent to six per cent, the study's authors said in the April issue of Nutrition Reviews.
The researchers found that the body weight of both male and female vegetarians is, on average, three per cent to 20 per cent lower than that of meat-eaters.
They found that a low-fat vegan diet leads to weight loss of about one pound per week, even without additional exercise or limits on portion sizes, calories, or carbohydrates.
"Our research reveals that people can enjoy unlimited portions of high-fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to achieve or maintain a healthy body weight without feeling hungry," says Berkow, the lead author.
{{/usCountry}}"Our research reveals that people can enjoy unlimited portions of high-fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to achieve or maintain a healthy body weight without feeling hungry," says Berkow, the lead author.
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