Vegetarianism for weight loss is a trend, and some obese patients with hypertension also choose vegetarianism because their doctors advised them to eat a light diet during the summer. A nutritionist reminds us: improper vegetarianism can also lead to weight gain, or even obesity. The cooking methods for vegetarian dishes determine their calorie and fat content.
Vegetarianism often involves "hidden fats"
Vegetarian dishes don't contain meat and are naturally lower in fat, so many people assume that being vegetarian guarantees good health. Zeng Qingshan, a nutritionist from the Nutrition Department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, says that pure vegetarian dishes taste less savory than meat dishes, so during cooking, more oil and seasonings are generally used to enhance their flavor and texture. As a result, people unknowingly consume more hidden fats, which can also lead to various diseases. There are many such examples; we've observed in life that many long-term vegetarian monks and nuns are actually obese. "Meat is not the root of all diseases, and vegetarianism cannot prevent all diseases. The key is how you eat and how much you eat," says Zeng Qingshan.
Being vegetarian for two days a week is beneficial to the body
Some believe that a diet of tofu and greens can provide protein, vitamins, and plant fiber to ensure the body's nutritional needs. Zeng Qingshan explains that the amino acids in beans and vegetables are incomplete and need to be paired with meat to form complete amino acids. Furthermore, the manganese found in plant-based foods is difficult for the human body to absorb, whereas the manganese in meat is easily absorbed.
Those who completely avoid meat (including milk and eggs) suffer from unbalanced nutrition, weaker immune function, and are prone to various infectious diseases, as well as anemia and osteoporosis. For normal people, choosing to be vegetarian for one to two days a week, reducing the intake of high-fat meats, can cleanse the intestines and be more beneficial for the cardiovascular system. This is because vegetarian diets are higher in total carbohydrates and dietary fiber, and significantly lower in saturated fat (the "bad" fat).
Reject meat, but not eggs
Current evidence shows that vegetarian diets that include eggs and dairy do not lead to serious nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, if you're vegetarian solely for weight loss and don't eat meat, you shouldn't skip eggs, milk, or yogurt. Otherwise, you might lose weight, but you'll become susceptible to illness, feel lethargic, and may appear to age faster.
For complete vegetarians, in addition to eating more beans, mushrooms, fungi, and vegetables, it's also advisable to consult a nutritionist to supplement with multivitamins, dietary fiber, and so on.
Vegetarianism depends on the individual
Strictly speaking, nutritionists do not advocate for long-term complete vegetarianism. If someone wants to try it, they must also consider their physical condition at the time. Zeng Qingshan says that vegetarians must be healthy adults. The following groups are advised not to be vegetarian:
1. People who are naturally thin and have poor resistance.
2. All children in their growth and development period, as it can lead to poor development.
3. Women planning to conceive, as a regular vegetarian diet can lower estrogen levels and cause fertility problems.
4. Women during their menstrual period and postpartum confinement.
5. Menopausal women, as it can worsen "menopausal syndrome."