A lot of people think that a vegan diet helps them lose weight. After all, eating fewer animal products means you’re probably consuming less calories, which in turn, should lead to weight loss. But that’s not necessarily true. In fact, there are a few reasons why a plant-based diet could end up hindering your weight loss efforts.
The Calories Are High
If you follow a vegan diet, you’ll most likely lose weight at first because the calories are too high. According to the American Institute of Stress, consuming a diet rich in fruits, veggies, and whole grains will help to lower your cholesterol and triglycerides, both of which are factors in weight gain. But the reverse is also True: Eating more calories than you need will hinder weight loss. When you’re following a healthy vegan diet, daily calories should be around 2,400-2,500 for Women and 2,600-2,700 for Men. However, you should always check with your physician or dietitian before making any major dietary changes. They can help you choose the right food plan for your body type and goals.
The Nutrients Are Low
Another potential pitfall of a vegan diet is a deficiency in some nutrients. A large amount of the vitamins that your body needs are found in animal products. For example, Vitamin A is mostly derived from animal sources, like dairy and eggs. And the B vitamins, including B12, are only found in meat and dairy products. Finally, the minerals such as iron and zinc are only available from animal products as well. Your body doesn’t produce these nutrients on its own, so if you don’t eat enough of an animal product to provide your body with adequate nutrients, you could experience a deficiency. One of the most common deficiencies among vegans is Vitamin B12. Your body doesn’t produce this vitamin on its own, and it is easily destroyed by heat and light. To counter this, vegans are often supplemented with Vitamin B12 to help ensure they receive enough of the nutrient to maintain healthy blood production. While you should always consult with your doctor before taking any supplements, a good vegan diet can still be quite beneficial for your health in general.
There Are Some Health Benefits
Even though animal products are a poor source of some nutrients, there are some health benefits to a vegan diet. If you follow a vegan diet for a reasonable amount of time, you will notice improvements in your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as your body’s overall energy levels. In addition, there are some studies that suggest a vegan diet can be effective in preventing certain types of cancer and heart disease. However, we can’t conclude that veganism is always the best dietary choice for people with cancer or heart disease. These people should still follow the advice of their physicians and avoid consuming any kind of meat as much as possible. Nevertheless, it is an option that should be considered by people who are already following a diet for other reasons.
You Have To Watch Out For Certain Food Allergies
Something else to watch out for on a vegan diet is food allergies. Like with many other dietary restrictions, a vegan diet can sometimes cause allergic reactions in some individuals. One of the major food allergens in the animal kingdom are the proteins found in milk and eggs. Individuals who are allergic to these food proteins may experience problems when following a vegan diet, especially if they are not careful. For some people, even eating organic eggs may cause an allergic reaction, so it is important to be careful when deciding what foods you’ll consume on a vegan diet. If you are going to follow a vegan diet, it is also important to understand what foods are safe to eat and which ones you should avoid. In general, fruits and vegetables are among the safest foods you can consume on a vegan diet, even though they are both common allergen food sources. On the other side of the spectrum, it is best to avoid gluten, wheat, and any other kind of grain found in most fast food restaurants. Also, you should try to stay away from nuts and seeds, which are often contaminated with wheat or gluten. Finally, it’s always a good idea to consult with your physician or dietitian before starting any kind of dietary change, especially if you aren’t sure whether or not it’s right for you.
You May Not Burn Calories As Much As You Think
If you’re looking for a way to lose weight, it’s quite possible that you’re not absorbing the nutrients your body needs as much as you should be. This can cause you to have fewer calories than you think. For example, studies show that the nutrient thiamine, which your body lacks if you don’t consume enough animal products, helps your body to metabolize carbohydrates more efficiently, which in turn, helps you to lose weight. It is also worth noting that some people, generally those who follow vegan diets, have reported that their appetite increases as their weight drops. This could be because their body is adjusting to functioning with less food, causing them to eat more simply to make up for the lack of calories. Nevertheless, as long as you’re consuming enough calories to satisfy your daily requirements, you should not have any trouble maintaining your current weight or losing extra pounds. Just make sure you’re not falling into any of the pitfalls listed above and you’ll be able to reap the many health benefits that a vegan diet can offer you.