The 5 Vegetarian Weight Loss Mistakes Caused By Advertisers

The 5 Vegetarian Weight Loss Mistakes Caused By Advertisers

Naturally, when most people think of vegetarian foods and weight loss, they think of men and women eating healthy meals with plenty of energy to spare.

But, what most people don't realize is there are a number of these so-called "health foods" that vegetarians are regularly consuming that aren't just unhealthy, but lead to weight gain, and I'm not talking muscle.

Over the years I've made many mistakes when it comes to eating healthy on a vegetarian diet and so I thought I would share with you some of the lessons I've learned.  This way, only one of us has to make the vegetarian blunders. 

With that being said, here are the 5 biggest weight loss dieting mistakes people make when switching to vegetarian meal plans:

1.  Eating "health food bars" and protein bars as a healthy snack alternative or as a meal replacement.

This one is a biggie.  These bars are loaded with junk binders and fillers with very little nutritional value.  Unfortunately, many people believe the advertising and so think they are eating a healthy substitute.  My advice, read the labels before you eat them.  If nothing else, skip the bars altogether and have fresh fruit instead.

2.  Falling for the convincing advertising that energy pills, energy drinks, or anything labelling itself as "thermogenic" will lead to fat loss.

While you'll get a two hour burst of "mania", the incredibly large dosage of caffeine in these products will bring your "high" to a crashing halt that often lingers for two to four hours.

Tip: avoid these ingredients: taurine, guarana, caffeine

Truth be told, energy products do NOT accelerate fat loss and none of them even work to curb your appetite.

So, do yourself a favour; skip the energy roller coaster and avoid every energy product that contains either sugar or caffeine.

3.  Thinking there is a magic cereal diet.

There isn't one.  In fact, most recently a popular women's magazine was glorifying a particular cereal as the breakfast of choice for those wanting to lose fat. Shame on them!

What they don't tell you is that many of these cereals contain way too much sugar and refined carbs, little-to-no protein, a small amount of fibre, and worst of all, fat derived from hydrogenated oils.

With that being said, if you really want to lose fat, then whatever you do, avoid processed grains and do NOT eat cereal in place of real food.

4.  Wasting money on bodybuilding supplements

Why spend your hard-earned money on a product that is really just processed milk?  Simply put, you don't need the junk that is advertised in bodybuilding supplement magazines.  You can avoid them and still lose fat and build a better body.

5.  The misconception that low-fat products are your best bet for fat loss

Again, those advertisers are real sneaky I tell you!  But here is something they don't tell you; the only way to make these low-fat foods taste worthwhile is by pumping them full of sugar. 

Sugar causes a number of potentially damaging side effects to your body, but the most visible nasty side effect is the fat that is stored right on your belly and thighs.

Tip:  I recommend consuming no more than 6-9 grams of sugar per sitting.  Just be careful of the nutritional label as it might indicate 6 grams/1 cup serving, while you're eating 2 cups and oops, you just consumed 12-18 grams of sugar!

So, those are 5 of the biggest mistakes made by those switching over to the vegetarian lifestyle.  If you follow those guidelines you'll be well on your way to a healthy vegetarian fat loss diet.

Easy Veggie Meal Plans

The #1 Superfood Essential to Your Fat Loss Diet

The #1 Superfood Essential to Your Fat Loss Diet

A healthy diet is a vital component to any fat loss program. Fortunately, this superfood can be found at any grocery store or farmer's market at a relatively inexpensive price. 

What's more, this superfood supplies a majority of the Recommended Daily Allowance for vitamins and minerals to give you endless amounts of energy, it stabilizes your blood sugar and detoxifies your body, and it provides you with the essential amino acids your body needs to build strong, lean muscles.

So what is it?

None other than the leafy green vegetable.

I hope you aren't disappointed it wasn't something exotic like elixir berry juice.  But, the truth of the matter is, the leafy green vegetable is an underrated, nutrient dense, inexpensive, and readily available superfood.

It does, however, get a little more exciting in that this dark green vegetable has many substitutes, including spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, chard, parsley, cilantro, and many others.

In fact, if you go to a farmer's market I'm sure you'll find plenty to choose from.  And variety is important because each green offers a different composition of minerals and vitamins.

Most leafy greens have a mild flavour, but if you're unsure about one, here's a little tip you can use when doing your shopping.  When you find a green that you think you'd like to try, simply pinch off a small piece of it and give it a try.  If you like the taste, add it to the cart, if not, just hope no one was watching!

Alright, you're home and ready to give the leafy greens a try, but you're unsure how to eat them.  Well, here are some suggestions:

1.   Prepare a salad with a base of greens that you like, while adding in some of the new, unfamiliar greens. You'll find that over time you'll acquire a taste for the new darker greens and begin to really enjoy them.

2.   Add greens to your smoothies. I know it sounds odd, but trust me, you won't taste a thing.  Just start out with a small amount of greens and slowly add more.

3.   Try making fresh fruit and veggie juice with greens in it. Personally, I like cilantro, parsley, and spinach in mine.

4.   Stir fries are a great way to add in veggies and greens.

5.   Also, try making soups with added greens.

So, those are just some of the ways in which you can add one of the best superfoods to your diet.  Try them out for two weeks and I guarantee that you will feel more alert and have more energy.

Easy Veggie Meal Plans

Easy Veggie Meal Plans

A Vegetarian Travel Nutrition Tip

For many of us traveling, it means skipping workouts, eating processed foods, and generally feeling guilty and frustrated because our commitment to a healthy lifestyle has temporarily gone by the wayside.

But with a little effort and following some quick and easy tips I'll share with you, you'll never have to resort to the over-priced, high-calorie food options that are prevalent in airports.

But first, did you know that when you're at the airport you can actually take your own food through the security check?  Most people don't know this, but as long as it isn't liquid, gels, or gooey stuff over 3 oz. then you're in the clear.

Okay, so you know that preparation is the key for anyone looking to lose weight and stay fit.  Well, this is especially the case when a last minute road trip unexpectedly arises. 

So, with that in mind, here are some healthy food options suitable as snacks, breakfast, or dinner, that you can easily put together.

1.   Grab all the veggies you have in the refrigerator and combine them to make one big tasty salad. 

2.   Pack 2-4 healthy nut bars.  My favourite is the RAW bar.

3.   Cut up fresh celery, carrots, and cucumbers – it's quick and it's easy.

4.   Add a few pieces of fruit to your "lunch pack".

5.   Nuts are another excellent snack option.

6.   Seaweed snacks.  These delicious treats are sure to draw some wandering eyes as people try to figure out just what the heck it is you're eating.

7.   And lastly, pack a bag of flax crackers.

If you can put just 10 minutes into preparing some snacks for your trip, you'll feel so much better later on when everyone else is stuffing their face with high fattening foods and you're sticking to you healthy diet. 

Even if it's just some healthy snacks to tie you over while waiting at the airport, this plan with help you eat healthier and avoid the junk you know is bad for you.

Easy Veggie Meal Plans