Vegetarian Lifestyle Doesn’t Always Mean Healthy

I like to read the headlines on Yahoo!….a lot.  That’s where I find a lot of my fun nutrition and health facts. Recently, I found this gem: 10 Diet and Exercise Myths That Pack on Pounds. Guess what #8 is? “Myth: Becoming a vegetarian will help me drop a size.”

Thaaaat’s right – ceasing meat consumption does not make one automatically lose weight. Why? Many vegetarians substitute cheese and dairy to get their protein, which also provides the daily requirement for calcium, however, dairy products generally have more fat than lean meat. That alone can work against one’s weight loss goals significantly.

I’ve pasted some key elements of the article below:

Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, author of The Flexitarian Diet, explains common vegetarian beginners’ mistakes that may cause weight gain. Vegetarian “types” to avoid becoming:

Blatner recommends replacing meat with beans in recipes for an easy, healthy—and inexpensive—protein source. She advises new vegetarians—and those who want to dabble in a vegetarian diet—to start having fun with vegetarian recipes. “Find ones you like that you’re going to keep eating. Enjoy the journey of it.”

So if weight loss is your goal, don’t automatically drop meat and expect to drop pounds as well. Consulting a nutritionist or dietitian is the best way to build a diet program that is best for you.

Are you a cheeseaholic? Or a meataholic? Vegeholic? What food could you absolutely not live without?

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

**Disclaimer: I have nothing against vegetarians, I have several friends who don’t eat meat. However, sometimes the myths that have become associated with giving up meat need to be dispelled.

Image from here