Vegan diets can help you improve the state of the planet and the state of your own health, at the same time. Many people turn vegan to save the planet, as going vegan typically reduces your emissions by 28%, land use by 75% and water pollution by around 60%. However, few people realise that it can also be great for your health. Steno Diabetes Center discovered that people with obesity or type two diabetes on a vegan diet were able to lose 9lbs on average in at least 12 weeks. In fact, those individuals were able to lose 16lbs more than those who followed their typical eating habits, and nearly six pounds more than those who tried other types of diets.
It’s not easy to lose lots of weight, which is why the effects of the vegan diet are remarkable. So if you’re interested in trying it out as a form of weight loss, here’s what you need to know to start off on the right foot:
Understanding the Weight Loss Benefits of Vegan Diets
Vegan diets are beneficial for weight loss due to various factors; they actually contain fewer calories and less saturated fat than the usual diet. Calories and fat can greatly contribute to one’s weight gain, which is why plant-based foods with fewer calories and saturated fat can speed up your weight loss.
On top of that, vegan diets also contain nutrients that contribute to weight loss. Plant-based foods are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which can improve your digestion and help you lose weight. They also increase your intake of vitamins and minerals that can regulate your metabolism and maintain your blood sugar levels. Finally, the protein from vegetables and fruits helps you curb cravings by keeping you full for a longer period of time.
While vegan diets can speed up weight loss, the evidence-based obesity management approach made by healthcare providers suggests that people should have nutritional support, increased physical activity, and medical interventions. Turning vegan only makes up one-third of these components, which is why it’s also essential to adopt physical activities and seek medical help if you are overweight and obese. By combining these three strategies, you can get sustainable and healthy weight loss results.
How To Boost the Effectiveness of Vegan Diets for Weight Loss
Start exercising on a regular basis
Many people gain weight because they eat more calories than they can burn throughout the day. While diets can help you control your calorie intake, you also need to exercise regularly to burn any excess calories in your body.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all workout for everyone, making it crucial for you to find the right workout program for your needs. For instance, you can take cardio workout classes in a group setting for a fun and energizing exercise. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet by simply walking or jogging around your neighborhood every day.
Seek medical help for obesity
Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity aren’t the only causes of obesity. In fact, this complex disease can be caused by genetic, hormonal, and psychological factors that need to be treated with medicine.
It can be difficult to lose weight due to biological and psychological factors, which is why medical weight loss interventions may be needed to boost the effectiveness of diet and exercise programs. Through these FDA-approved medications, people dealing with chronic weight problems can achieve up to 15% more weight loss. By seeking medical help, you can get chronic weight management strategies that will help you target the root causes of obesity.
Look into behavioral interventions
Aside from taking medications, you may also benefit from behavioral interventions for weight loss. These interventions will help you identify and put a stop to any behaviors that contribute to obesity.
Behavioral interventions focus on helping you learn behavior change techniques that are useful for weight loss, such as goal setting, stressor and stimulus control, and understanding portion control. These behavioral changes can help you stop any triggers that contribute to excessive eating or physical inactivity so that you can focus your time and energy on habits that help you maintain a healthy weight.
Conclusion
Vegan diet is just one of the many strategies that can help you achieve weight loss. So if you want to get to a healthier weight, try combining your plant-based meals with physical activities and medical or behavioral interventions.