Why a vegan diet is the best choice for weight loss

Experts recommend going vegan for healthy weight loss

Are you struggling to lose those last few kilos? Going vegan may be the answer if you're looking to drop weight and gain a host of healthy benefits.

A recent study has found that people on a vegan diet lose more weight, at a faster rate – even when carbs are included – than those who consume a diet that includes meat and dairy.

Study compares five diets

The study followed participants who were randomly assigned to one of five diets on the dietary spectrum: vegan which excludes all animal products, semi-vegetarian with occasional meat intake; pesco-vegetarian which excludes all meat except seafood; vegetarian which excludes all meat and seafood but includes animal products, and omnivorous, which excludes no foods.

Participants followed their assigned dietary restrictions for six months.

Findings: Vegan diet tops for better weight loss

The study found that those who stuck to the vegan diet showed the greatest weight loss at the six-month mark.

Weight loss was not the only positive outcome for participants in the strictly vegan group. They also showed the greatest amount of decrease in their fat and saturated fat levels, had lower BMIs, and improved macro nutrients more than other diets.

At the end of six months, individuals on the vegan diet lost more weight than the other two groups by an average of 4,3%, or 16.5 pounds (7,5 kgs).

"This study might help alleviate the fears of people who enjoy pasta, rice, and other grains but want to lose weight," lead author, Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy said.

Recommended reading: How to make vegan burgers

1. Prev:3 Foods to avoid for a flatter tummy
2. Next:How long does it take to burn off a treat?