With so much conflicting health information out there, it’s not surprising that most of us are left scratching our heads when it comes to the healthiest diet to follow.
Do we have a glass of wine after dinner or a black coffee and grapefruit for breakfast?
Do we go for a paleo lifestyle is low-carb the way to go?
It turns out it’s a lot simpler than all that, and better for the environment too.
A new study from Journal of the American College of Nutrition has revealed that people who follow a vegetarian diet could lose twice as much weight as those who are dieting and eating meat and improve their metabolism.
The findings come from a study conducted on 74 volunteers, all who suffer from type 2 diabetes.
Half the volunteers were fed a vegetarian diet, consisting of vegetables, grains, legumes, fruits and nuts, with animal products limited to a maximum of one portion of low-fat yoghurt per day, and the other half followed the conventional diabetic diet under the official recommendations of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.
On top of this, both groups were also following a daily 500 calorie restriction.
The results revealed that those who were following a vegetarian diet lost an average of 6kgs while those on a meat eating diet lost just over 3kgs. The vegetarian diet followers also reported higher levels of reduced muscle fat and were able to boost their metabolism.
A spokesperson for the study, Dr Kahleová said, “This finding is important for people who are trying to lose weight, including those suffering from metabolic syndrome and/or type 2 diabetes. But it is also relevant to anyone who takes their weight management seriously and wants to stay lean and healthy.”
What do I need to know before going vegetarian?
Before giving up meat you need to consider where you’ll get your protein, iron, zinc and omega-3. You’ll also need to decide what you class as “meat”. For example, are you simply cutting out red meat, or are you cutting out all poultry, seafood and fish also?
Can women over 50 be healthy and nourished on a vegetarian diet?
Definitely! A vegetarian diet can be a healthy diet for women 50-plus, but it’s vital to ensure you’re meeting your requirements for protein, iron, zinc and omega-3 from alternative sources.
How can I replace the protein I’d previously had from meat in a vegetarian diet?
To meet your protein requirements, consume plenty of eggs, legumes, tofu, nuts, seeds and dairy products.
Can I be vegetarian and still eat eggs?
Yes, you can, as ovo-vegetarians eat eggs but not dairy.
Read more about safely transitioning to a vegetarian here
