I was talking with a nutritionist who specializes in counseling vegetarians and helping them lose fat. I asked her for three valuable corrections to a vegetarian diet if someone wanted to lose fat, and then realized they are good pieces of advice for
anyone. Fat loss tips for vegetarians apply to us all!
Foods To Avoid For Fat Loss
So here are her 3 foods you must NOT eat if you are a vegetarian (and I’d suggest these are true for anyone) who wants to lose fat.
#1 Food to avoid on a vegetarian fat loss diet:
Excessive soy products
Most vegetarians consume too much soy. Often they eat soy milk for breakfast, soy burgers for lunch and soy ice cream for a late night snack.
These foods can stop your fat loss dead in its tracks. In addition to all of the sugar and salt these products contain, soy has an estrogenic effect in the body.
Excess estrogen binds to the fat cells and causes an increase in the size of estrogen-sensitive fatty tissue such as belly fat.
#2 Food to avoid on a vegetarian fat loss diet:
Flour products
This list of fat loss no-no’s includes: breads, pasta, muffins, cereals and just about all other baked goods.
These foods increase a hormone called insulin in the body which directly promotes fat storage.
Flour also has an inflammatory effect in the body. The last thing you want is inflammation in your joints. Inflammation can cause pain and prevent you from staying active.
#3 Food to avoid on a vegetarian fat loss diet:
Cheese
Cheese contains animal based saturated fat which has a negative effect on your carbohydrate metabolism.
In the presence of saturated fat, ingested carbohydrates are directed to your fat cells for storage instead of being diverted to your muscle cells for energy.
Vegetarian diets are typically higher in carbohydrates and anything that interferes with their utilization should be minimized or completely avoided.
Final Thoughts on Fat Loss Tips for Vegetarians
So whether you’re a vegetarian or not, it’s still best to eat a wholesome diet of fruits, vegetables, healthy fat, and healthy proteins. You’ll notice that all three foods she mentioned, (soy, flour and cheese) are not whole foods and are best eaten in
moderation, if at all.
If you feel stuck and need additional support to adopt a new healthy habit or routine, consider working with me. We can partner up in setting goals, drawing on your skills and strengths, and implementing strategies to help you find your way to lasting healthy success.
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For over 15 years, Shelli has been a freelance writer and wellness habit coach. She writes about brain fitness, creating a healthy lifestyle, traveling the world, and making positive habits stick. Stop procrastinating! Take action, join her free newsletter.
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