Veggie diet ‘twice as good’ for weight loss

VEGETARIAN diets are twice as good at helping people lose weight than those containing meat, a study found.

Those who avoided meat also had less fat stored in their muscles as well as under their skin, scans revealed.

Researchers studied 74 people suffering from type 2 diabetes who needed to lose weight. The participants were randomly assigned either a vegetarian or meat-eating regime. Their diets were 500 calories lower than the person would need to maintain their weight.

The vegetarian diet was nearly twice as effective in reducing weight, with an average loss of about 13.5lb – compared to 7lb for the diet including meat.

Dr Hana Kahleova, of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Wash- ington DC, also looked at how much fat was stored under the skin and in the muscles using MRI scanners. Both diets reduced fat under the skin, but the vegetarian diet also reduced the amount of fat in the muscles.

This type of fat has been linked to insulin resistance – so reducing this is helpful. Dr Kahleova said: ‘A vegetarian diet is much more effective at reducing muscle fat, thus improving metabolism. This finding is important for people who are trying to lose weight, including those suffering from metabolic syndrome and/or type 2 diabetes. But it is relevant to anyone who takes weight management seriously and wants to stay lean and healthy.’

Dr Kahleova added that a plant-based diet is helpful for staying healthy as we age. She said: ‘A diet built around plants is naturally rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, which leaves us feeling energised and refreshed instead of hungry and fatigued.’