5 Weight gaining mistakes vegetarians make

Vegetarians can pile on weight, too

If you thought all vegetarians were super healthy and skinny, think again. Eating meatless meals doesn't always equal waistline friendly.

5 Eating mistakes some vegetarians make

If you're new to eating vegetarian meals and you're trying to slim down, watch out for these five common newbie mistakes:

1. Too much cheese. Yes, cheese is a protein, but it's also high in fat and calories, so eat it in moderation and watch your portion sizes.
2. Frozen “meat” meals. Just the mention of the words “veggie sausages” or “soy chicken nuggets” is music to any vegetarian's ears, but be wary. These meat substitutions are heavily processed and contain a lot of sodium. They're okay to eat once in a while, but don't go overboard.
3. High calorie grains. Some vegetarians don't like fruits and veggies so they only eat grains, beans, and veggie burgers which can be high in calories. Make sure that you get in a healthy daily balance of fresh produce and grains.
4. Same meal, minus the meat. If you're eating the same kind of meals but not replacing the protein, you could be starving your body of essential nutrients.
5. Assuming all vegetarian food is good for you. Just because a recipe or packaging contains the words 'meatless' or 'vegetarian', doesn't mean that it's automatically healthy. Make sure that you read the rest of the ingredients before adding any veggie food to your trolley.

Recommended reading: What types of protein do vegetarians eat?

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