Many people choose a vegan diet to help them lose weight. Choosing not to eat meat and other animals products can be a great way to lose excess weight. Vegans and vegetarians eat an average of 500 calories less each day than the typical meat eaters. However, there are still ways to gain weight on a vegan weight loss diet. A balanced, low-fat diet along side regular exercise is the best way to ensure that you will meet your weight loss goals.

People opting for a vegan diet to lose weight need to become adept at checking labels. Some food companies make up for a lack of meat flavor by adding extra fat or sugar to their foods. This can end up giving you the opposite effect, by causing weight gain and poor health. Sugars have also been known to be addictive to some, meaning foods with excess food can make you want to eat more and more.

Some people replace their meat habit with too many grains and soy based “fake meat” products. This unbalanced approach can make any vegan gain weight quickly. Instead, choose plenty of whole fruits and vegetables. Drinking daily vegan green smoothies is a great way to get the recommended amounts in your diet. Follow the vegan food pyramid to ensure that your diet is balanced and healthy for the best weight loss.

Changing to a vegan weight loss diet can take a lot of discipline, but it can be very worth it for anyone looking to lose weight and get healthy.

photo credit: YoLaGringo

The first question many people have about the vegan green smoothie diet is just how many smoothies should they drink each day. There really is no one size fits all answer to this, it’s all about you and your personal needs.

For beginners, one smoothie each day is more than enough. You may want to replace a meal with your smoothie, or drink one during your afternoon as a snack. As you adjust to this new way of eating, you may begin to add in more smoothies to your day. The end result, however, should be what ever is most comfortable to you and makes you feel at your best.

Most experienced green smoothie drinkers say you should drink no more than 80 ounces of green smoothie each day. If weight loss if your goal, you should concentrate on keeping calories between 1200 and 1500 per day. If you feel hungry after drinking a green smoothie you should eat. Sticking to raw foods, such as nuts, can be a great way to keep hunger at bay while still eating healthy.

Some people will feel jittery or stressed when they begin a green smoothie diet. This is perfectly normal as your body is adjusting and ridding itself of toxins that have built up. Within a week these feelings should pass.

Never deprive yourself of food or an adequate amount of calories in order to lose weight. As always, you should consult with your physician before starting any diet to make sure it will not interfere with any medical issues you may have.