The majority of folks who embark on the vegan diet will experience profound weight loss. This will often occur whether it was their original intention or not. Some people who have adopted the vegan diet, however, find that their weight is stationary and is just not coming off like they would have hoped. If you follow the 5 tips outlined below then I guarantee you that you can lose weight successfully on the vegan diet.
1. Eat a variety
Don't eat the same boring foods over and over again. It has been proven that when a person consumes the same foods and meals on a regular basis, they become bored with their food and consequently eat more of it in an effort to seek the 'comfort' that they are not experiencing. This is often done unintentionally. You need to eat a wide range of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and juices. Enjoy cooking and creating your own meals in order to find joy in your food. Have fun in the kitchen.
2. Eat in moderation
Regardless of what diet you are on, you should never over-eat. Avoid regularly going back for seconds. Don't justify that you can eat more of your food simply because it is healthy. Healthy foods can be quite high in energy content such as avocados, nuts and seeds. Enjoy these foods daily, but in moderation. One or two small handfuls of nuts every day should suffice. Stick with half an avocado per day. Be sensible with the amount of oil that you use in your cooking and your salad dressings. By eating in moderation and in a sensible, adult-manner, you can guarantee weight loss success on your vegan diet.
3. Exercise
Everybody should exercise, whether they are overweight or not. Even if you are eating super healthy, you still need to exercise. Keeping your body moving and your heart pumping will do wonders for your waist-line. So get off your couch, turn off your computer and start moving your body. Whether it be brisk walking, dancing to your favorite music or going to the gym, ensure that you engage in physical exercise as often as possible, preferably 3 to 5 times per week.
4. Avoid Vegan Junk Food
Some people who adopt veganism do so in an unhealthy manner. Vegan junk food is a big culprit for sabotaging any weight loss efforts on the vegan diet. Vegan junk food includes hot chips and deep-fried foods, packet crisps and chips, dairy-free chocolates, sugar-laden "health-bars" and cookies, etc. Eating these foods everyday will guarantee that your weight will be stationary, or worse, will increase. Limit these unhealthy, calorie-laden, sugar-laden, fat-laden foods.
5. Bake Your Own Snacks
You should endeavor to make your own healthy vegan baking recipes. This will mean that you are in control of what goes into your food. You can control the amount of sugar and calories that go in. For example, bake your own healthy brownies that feature nuts, cacao powder and dates, rather than processed sugar and chocolate. Try out some healthy bars, cakes, slices and other homemade treats to keep you away from the store-bought vegan junk food. You can easily freeze your vegan baking recipes in air-tight containers, so don't worry if you've made a large quantity. Find healthy vegan recipes online via websites or gourmet recipe e-books. Lose weight in a fun and enjoyable way!
