Is a vegetarian diet effective for weight loss?

    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    A vegetarian diet can be used as a weight loss tool. On average, vegetarians have a lower BMI than people who eat an omnivorous diet.[1][2][3][4] A vegetarian diet could help some people achieve a calorie deficit. This may be partly attributed to an increase in satiety as a result of an increased fiber intake.[5] Long-term studies on the effect of vegetarian diets on weight loss are still needed, and it is important to remember that any diet could produce weight loss if it creates a caloric deficit.[6][5][7][8]

    References

    1. ^Joan Sabaté, Michelle WienVegetarian diets and childhood obesity preventionAm J Clin Nutr.(2010 May)
    2. ^E A Spencer, P N Appleby, G K Davey, T J KeyDiet and body mass index in 38000 EPIC-Oxford meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegansInt J Obes Relat Metab Disord.(2003 Jun)
    3. ^Serena Tonstad, Terry Butler, Ru Yan, Gary E FraserType of vegetarian diet, body weight, and prevalence of type 2 diabetesDiabetes Care.(2009 May)
    4. ^P K Newby, Katherine L Tucker, Alicja WolkRisk of overweight and obesity among semivegetarian, lactovegetarian, and vegan womenAm J Clin Nutr.(2005 Jun)
    5. ^Ru-Yi Huang, Chuan-Chin Huang, Frank B Hu, Jorge E ChavarroVegetarian Diets and Weight Reduction: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsJ Gen Intern Med.(2016 Jan)
    6. ^Pilis W, Stec K, Zych M, Pilis AHealth benefits and risk associated with adopting a vegetarian diet.Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig.(2014)
    7. ^Bennett WL, Appel LJVegetarian Diets for Weight Loss: How Strong is the Evidence?J Gen Intern Med.(2016 Jan)
    8. ^Melgar B, Diaz-Arocutipa C, Huerta-Rengifo C, Piscoya A, Barboza JJ, Hernandez AVVegetarian diets on anthropometric, metabolic and blood pressure outcomes in people with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Int J Obes (Lond).(2023-Oct)