With dozens of ultimate weight loss programs and diets available, determining which ones actually work is only part of the challenge for vegetarians. Most of today’s mass-market diets and prepackaged meals are designed for the typical meat eater; while the lowfat chicken and steak options are a valuable alternative for meat lovers, vegetarians aren’t left with much if they eliminate meat from the prepackaged entrée. Other weight loss programs that encourage dieters to prepare their own meals often include meat on the menu to meet daily protein requirements. What’s a vegetarian to do? Here are some of the best weight loss programs and options available today:
Eat More, Weigh Less by Dean Ornish: Weight Loss Program for Vegetarians
The Eat More, Weigh Less program is a plant-based diet that includes soy products for protein. The diet is fairly low in fat, and doesn’t center around counting calories or worrying about excessive portion control. The goal is to eat a variety of whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables regularly enough to make them a habit. Since most vegetarians do this already, weight loss is achieved by introducing nutrition supplements to the diet, and making sure the body is receiving just enough nutrients for good health.
Anne Collins Easy Vegetarian Diet
This diet offers 1,250 calories per day for the dieter, and is outlined in the book Anne Collins Vegetarian Quick-Start Diet. It’s a quick start diet because it’s designed as a 28-day diet. It does contain a lot of dairy to compensate for the lack of meat protein, and offers a full snack list, vegetarian fast food options, and shopping lists for each week to make the grocery run that much easier. More information about the Anne Collins Vegetarian Diet can be found here.
The Weight Watchers Program: Weight Loss Program for Vegetarians Weight Watchers was originally designed for meat eaters, but has since shifted its plans and menu options to accommodate the needs of the vegetarian. The points system continues to be a popular choice for dieters of all types, and completely meat-free meal plans can be found on the Weight Watchers website. Vegetarian entrees with all the points calculated can be made easily at home, and both the Flex and Core Plan online offer vegetarian recipes.
eDiets.com: Weight Loss Program for Vegetarians
eDiets.com offers customized weight loss programs online, and allows dieters to exchange recipes, read blogs, and order meals directly from the site. The diet programs do cater to vegetarians with an emphasis on dairy products throughout. The gourmet meals delivered through ‘Deliciously Yours’ feature a number of meat-free dishes including a Hearty Lentil Soup, Tuna Casserole, and plenty of nutritious breakfast items. Still, vegetarians are better off preparing their own meals with the eDiets program, and hundreds of recipes are available on the site for viewing and download.
The South Beach Diet: Weight Loss Program for Vegetarians
The South Beach Diet has been adapted for vegetarians with substitutes of tofu, soy products, eggs, and low fat cheese for meat. Each phase of the diet slowly adds more fruits, vegetables, and starches during each week (just like the meat-based version), and recipes include dozens of salads, soups, wraps, and skillet-based meals. Vegetarians looking for lots of variety in their diet can turn to The South Beach Diet for the diverse food choices.
From Weight Watchers to South Beach, there are a few attractive diet options for vegetarians looking for a weight loss program. In order to meet dail protein requirements, the modified diet for vegetarians includes a variety of soy-based products, nuts, and legumes.
