
Switching to a vegetarian diet can be an effective strategy if you’re looking to lose weight. In fact, studies show that vegetarians tend to have better diet quality than meat-eaters and a higher intake of important nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, vitamin E, and magnesium ( 4, 5).Ī vegetarian diet may provide several other health boosts as well. Vegetarian diets are associated with a number of health benefits. Other variations involve the inclusion or exclusion of eggs, dairy, and other animal products. Most people who follow a vegetarian diet don’t eat meat, fish or poultry.



Others decide to become vegetarian for environmental reasons, as livestock production increases greenhouse gas emissions, contributes to climate change, and requires large amounts of water, energy, and natural resources ( 2, 3). People often adopt a vegetarian diet for religious or personal reasons, as well as ethical issues, such as animal rights. The vegetarian diet involves abstaining from eating meat, fish, and poultry.
