The Best Weight Loss Diets for Vegetarians

by Helena Baker

Overview

There are many different methods of losing weight; there are high-protein diets, fruit diets, cabbage diets and many others. Many of these are ineffective at best and extremely unhealthy and dangerous at worst. Choosing a good weight loss plan that will work for you is difficult, and if you are a vegetarian, your choices are even more limited. The best way to lose weight effectively, whether you are a vegetarian or not, is under the guidance of a medical professional; you should always consult your doctor before undertaking any diet plan.
Shakes

A lot of people really like diets where they get to drink shakes. The good news is, shakes can be very healthy, convenient and a great way to supplement your diet. The bad news is that they may not help you to feel as though you have eaten a meal, even though they usually contain just as many calories, if not more, than solid food. You should not try to subsist entirely on shakes of any kind. The best shakes for weight loss include a couple of pieces of fruit along with nutrient-dense vegetables, such as kale, spinach, wheat grass or beets. Ideally, your shake should have more vegetables than fruit, if you can tolerate the taste. If you are using milk or soy milk, be sure to use a low-fat, unsweetened variety; soy milk especially is often loaded with sugar.

Salads

Not very many people like diets where they get to eat tons of salad. Fortunately, the days of iceberg lettuce and tasteless, fat-free dressing are over. Salads have tons of fiber and nutrients in relation to their low-calorie content, but they can also be somewhat boring. Fix that by getting creative. Mix fruit, berries and nuts into a salad with raspberry vinaigrette for a refreshing summer lunch. Or, try serving a cold pasta tossed with olive oil, steamed broccoli and low-fat parmesan cheese for a delicious pasta salad. No matter what type of salad you make, be sure to go easy on the dressing.
Proteins

Just like with an omnivorous diet plan, protein is important. It supports your exercise program, helping to maintain your energy levels and rebuild your muscles. Lucky for you, tofu is not the only vegetarian protein out there. Tempeh, soy curls, texturized vegetable protein (TVP), lentils, beans and others are all healthy and tasty alternatives to tofu. Soy Curls in particular have been very popular lately; they look like chicken strips and even have a similar texture. Marinate them in low-sodium soy sauce for an almost meaty protein. Don't skimp on the beans and lentils; naturally low in fat and high in protein, they are a good alternative to soy-based proteins. It's always good to maintain variety so that your body gets all the nutrients it needs while you are losing weight.