Is a vegetarian diet effective for weight loss?

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]