I’m not very heavy to begin with (I only weigh about 110 pounds), and my parents were worried that I would lose too much weight if I switched to a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Is there any difference in weight loss between switching to a vegetarian diet versus a vegan diet?
Thanks to the two first answerers, especially vegan_babe_erin. You both have some good info.
For further clarification, I’m 5’8", which means I’m underweight for my height. I eat a lot, it’s just that I don’t gain very much at all. If I gained on a vegetarian or vegan diet, it would actually be a good thing.
@ hsmomlovinit: I don’t think I have Celiac disease, because I don’t think I eat that much whole-grain, but it does run in my family. One of my cousins has it, and they were afraid her kids had it too.
@hsmomlovinit: I’d forgotten about that. My cousin can’t eat anything with gluten at all, because her celiac disease is sort of bad. I know I need to get tested, especially if the odds are 1 in 10 that I have it.
Generally not. Unless you are eating a whole load of meat already and you switch to a more plant based diet, then you could. But, factually, going vegetarian can actually cause you to gain more weight if you are eating a lot of dairy products.
If you go vegan, and eat lots of processed vegan food then you could gain or stay at the same weight.
You will not be underweight eating a vegan diet if you are getting the correct nutrients.
Eat lots of fresh, wholesome, naturally colourful foods and you will be fine. If you like, you can supplement dairy products with soya products or almond milk products or rice or oat milk. I recommend almond milk. As there seems to be the least controversy over it. Some people feel soya is dangerous.
If you have weight to lose, you will lose it, if you don’t then you won’t.
So, tell your parents, that you will not lose unnecessary weight if they support you by helping you get the correct nutrition for a vegan. Which they should be more than happy to. After all, if they are concerned about you losing too much weight, they obviously are concerned about your health. A healthy vegan diet is very possible.
So, buy a few cook books if you like and some advice on going vegan and recipes can be found on the internet.
Here are a few to get you started:
http://www.vegfamily.com/vegan-teens/index.htm
http://www.tofuhoundpress.com/titles/titles.html
http://www.humaneteen.org/?q=node/41
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