Should you stop eating meat to Lose weight? It depends on how you approach it. You can eat a healthy vegetarian diet that can help you to lose weight.
However, simply giving up meat will not by itself make you lose weight.
Some people, in fact when they give up meat end up eating more carbohydrates, which can have the opposite effect.
Meats are High in Fats
Meat and animal products are generally high in protein and saturated fats. Saturated fats were, for a time, considered unhealthy and a cause of many diseases. They were also blamed for obesity.
Now, however, they are gradually being recognized by many nutritionists as necessary, if derived from high quality sources (such as organic or natural animal products).
Eating a diet with a moderate amount of saturated fats will not make you fat.
The worst things you can eat if you are trying to lose weight are foods that are high in sugar, low quality carbohydrates and trans fats. Low quality carbs are those made with processed white flour.
When you buy or make foods like bread or pasta, look for whole grains, preferably organic. Avoid refined white sugar. Also avoid foods made with hydrogenated oils and trans fats.
Stop Eating Meat – Become a Vegetarian?
The decision to eat a vegetarian diet and stop eating meat or not is a personal one. The fact is, you can lose weight as a vegetarian or as a meat-eater. Or you can gain weight on either diet.
There are good arguments for becoming a vegetarian. One is ethical, which is something you have to decide for yourself. Another has to do with the unnatural way most meat is produced today.
This, however, can be avoided by buying organic meats and animal products (though these are more expensive).
If you are overweight and a meat-eater, it is probably not meat that is making you fat. It is more the overall number of calories you are consuming, the amount of sugar, carbs and unhealthy fats.
There is also, of course, the amount of physical activity you are getting, which can make a big difference, almost as important as your diet.
One reason why a vegetarian diet and stop eating meat may appear to be good for losing is that it is often part of a general effort at eating a healthier diet.
Stop Eating Meat is Healthier Anyway
There is nothing wrong with this, and I am certainly not trying to discourage anyone from becoming a vegetarian, only saying that it is probably not a decisive factor by itself when it comes to losing weight.
For example, many people start eating more fruits and vegetables when they become vegetarian, which is healthy. You can, however, eat more fruits and vegetables without becoming a vegetarian. The choice is yours.
Stop eating meat and you can in fact get a lot healthier, because with all things being equal there are a lot more nutrients per calorie in a carrot than a steak.
Good Arguments Either Way for Eating Meat On A Diet?
In looking at the comments below the argument comes that we are not as humans built to be vegetarians. I have to agree. I am not the biggest fan of any kind of strict style of diet.
I know of raw vegan eaters that should have amazingly high amounts of vitamins and minerals but have a lack of iron and B12 and Zinc. Although these vegans can get these if careful as well.
The best idea in real life over the long term is to try and change your diet over time to allow you to be an omnivore at times, a vegetarian at other times, and to be careful to always look at the cleanliness and preparation of meals at all times