The 100-Calorie Secret - Never Diet Again!

Whether vegans are more healthy than meat eaters is not the issue in this discussion. No doubt, overall they are less overweight with lower blood pressures, triglycerides and cholesterol than meat eaters. Whether they live longer has not been proven.  A 2003 study of British vegetarians, including vegans found similar mortality rates between "vegetarians"  and other groups.

A 1999 meta-study of five studies comparing vegetarian and non-vegetarian mortality rates in western countries found the mortality rate to be highest among vegans and those who eat meat regularly followed by vegetarians and those who eat meat infrequently. The lowest mortality rate was demonstrated by those who eat fish, but no other meat. So I leave it to others to decide if vegan-ism will prolong life. The answer certainly is not in. My feeling (unproven, of course) is that man evolved eating meat and meat products and the true vegans I have seen seem to be missing something. They are not the really skinny people.

Despite all of the low calorie foods, obesity does exist in the vegan population. Few weight loss diets have been tailored for vegans.  Although not a vegan diet, Weight Watchers can be adapted to the vegan lifestyle. Since the emphasis is on fruits and vegetables with low points, there is a lot of food. However it really is not the best choice.

Dr. John McDoughall, a medical doctor from Santa Rosa, Calf. advocates a low calorie, vegan weight loss plan.(www.drmcdougall.com).  Probably, the best plan of it's type. The emphasis ia on low-fat, whole foods. The basic rules are that you are allowed all the vegetables, beans, and whole, unprocessed grains that you need to satisfy your hunger. However, you are limited to two fruit servings a day. The problem often arises from the fact than  no flour products, or oils are permitted.   Refined soy products are not permitted. Sugar and salt are allowed on top of the foods, but not to be cooked into the foods. Often dairy and eggs are eliminated as a way to speed up the process. A normal rate of weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week.

For most,vegans  the biggest down fall is the bread, fruits and pasta limitations. If you are considering such a plan, here are the "Eats" and "Don't Eats" of the plan. (Please note they are Dr McDougals's ideas:

Dr McDougall's Vegan Weight Loss Plan :

"Don't Eat": Possible substitutes:

Cow's Milk (for cereal or cooking)         Low Fat soy milk, rice milk, fruit juice, water, use extra when cooking hot cereal or pour over

cold cereal

Cow's Milk (as beverage)                          None; drink water, juice, herb tea, or cereal beverages

Butter                                                                None

Cheese                                                              None; after 12 days you may substitute soy- and nut-based cheeses

Cottage cheese                                             None; after 12 days you may substitute crumbled tofu

Yogurt                                                             None

Sour cream                                                    None

Ice cream                                                       Pure fruit sorbet, frozen juice bars; after 12 days you may substitute Lite Tofutti

Eggs (in cooking)                                        Ener-G Egg Replacer

Eggs (for eating)                                          None

Meat, poultry, fish                                    Starchy vegetables, whole grains, pastas, and beans; after 12

days you may substitute tofu "meat" recipes

Mayonnaise                                                Tofu mayonnaise

Vegetable oils (for pans)                        None; use Teflon, Silverstone, or silicone-coated (Baker's Secret) pot and pans

Vegetable oils (in recipes)                     None; omit oil or replace with water, mashed banana, or applesauce for moisture