High Protein Vegetarian Diet

A high protein vegetarian diet has several advantages. The most important is weight loss and improved health. A high protein vegetarian diet will help you lose weight. At the same time it will bring your cholesterol, triglycerides and body fat down to a healthy level. A good thing about a high protein vegetarian diet is that it is very simple to follow. And unlike other diets, a diet like this reduces hunger pangs and cravings. You will simply be surprised as how effective a high protein vegetarian diet is in taking off pounds and inches from your body.

Anyone who wants to reach his or her ideal weight can benefit from this type of diet. This diet also works well with individuals with diabetes, hypoglycemia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.

So how exactly does a high protein vegetarian work? This diet will eliminate refined carbohydrates, such as sugar, white rice, white bread and crackers from your diet, and will replace them with fiber-rich whole fruits, vegetables, brown rice, and products made from whole wheat flour. The elimination phase of the high protein vegetarian diet allows for cravings triggered by high glycemic foods to be controlled. It also prevents binge eating. This phase is considered a “jump start” for weight reduction. This adjustment period will be done for several weeks. The goal of a high protein vegetarian diet is to identify the types of carbohydrates that can trigger hunger pangs or those that have the tendency to increase body fat.

After the elimination phase, controlled amounts of carbohydrate-containing foods are gradually introduced. The purpose of this phase is to identify individuals who may be carbohydrate-sensitive.

Another good thing about a high protein vegetarian diet is that you don’t have to buy special foods to be successful in it. With a high protein vegetarian diet you can eat soy, tofu, low fat cheese, eggs, egg substitutes and a wide variety of vegetables.  These diet is ideal for Lacto –ovo vegetarians. It can also be applied to Lacto-vegetarians by simply substituting vegetarian egg substitutes in the recipes that call for egg. It can also be used by Vegans by simply putting soy beverages and substitutes in the recipes.

Whole fruits, cereal and skim or soy milk are added to the list of foods you can consume
as the diet progresses. After a few weeks, wheat, multi-grain and pita bread, as well as whole wheat pasta, brown rice, peas, beans and lentils will be part of your normal food intake.

With a high protein vegetarian diet, men are expected to lose an average of 6-8 pounds after the first two weeks on this diet. Women lose an average of 4-6 pounds. In subsequent weeks, dieters lose an average of 1-2 pounds each week.

One can remain on a high protein vegetarian diet for up to six weeks. After that you may choose to switch from a non-vegetarian diet to a healthy eating plan. Of course it would be better for your health if you remain a vegetarian. By doing so, you will not only enjoy the way you look but also the way you feel. This is because a high protein vegetarian diet works in helping you lose weight and in making you healthy.

So go on and try a high protein vegetarian diet now.