meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

I've recently lost quite a bit of weight eliminating carbs, including whole grains and beans, from my diet... so i've been eating alot of lean meat (chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs).

I recently watched Forks Over Knives, which claims that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods. I've been researching this and there seem to be alot of studies that support it.

Soooo, i've been considering cutting down significantly on the amount of meat I eat, but that would require me to eat more carbs, including whole grains and beans.

I want to continue losing weight, but i'm not sure if eliminating meat and introducing carbs will allow me to do that. Does anybody have any info about this? Is it better to eliminate meat or carbs as far as weight loss is concerned?

Message edited 3/13/2012 3:01:09 PM.

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

I think it is very much an individualized thing however eliminating anyone thing is unnecessary in my opinion. If you are concerned with sat. fats you can always have chicken, turkey , pork, etc.

If you do decide to eliminate meat and go towards a more vegetarian lifestyle, just make sure you are taking in adequate protein and nutrients that you would get from meats.

As far as weight loss, I would try to figure out your calories (but macro nutrient ranges more specifically) and create a new menu based on the foods you would like to eat within those same ranges. Make sense?

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

I went vegetarian/vegan about four years ago. I immediately started feeling the difference..It was the best I ever felt! And the best part was I dropped weight without even trying! If you do stop eating meat just make sure to take vitamins especially B-12. There is plenty of protein you can get from non-meat sources..edited to say most of my diet is carbs. I eat a ton of brown rice and sweet potatoes.

Message edited 3/13/2012 1:58:07 PM.

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

Message edited 3/14/2012 8:59:48 AM.

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

Message edited 3/13/2012 5:10:41 PM.

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

SOrry I misunderstood your question!

A good friend of mine is a vegan...actually a vegan fitness competitor! Check out her FB page and blog. She is always open to answering questions!

Nava Light

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

All I'm going to say on eliminating carbs is your brain's ONLY energy source is glucose. People need carbohydrates.

I would consult with a registered dietitian on this since it's a big lifestyle change.

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

Before you eliminate all meat from your diet you should do your own research...meat and dairy are not the cause of all disease there is actually a long debate over soy and breast cancer in woman of childbearing age (pre-menopausal). I would do a few searches on pubmed and get the scientific research first hand.

If you want to be healthy I would suggest a well balanced diet that includes all major food groups. Like Lauren suggested in her first response. If you decide to go vegan or vegetarian make sure you plan your meals- Protein matching is important to make sure you are getting all of your essential amino acids (animal products are the only complete source). Also be prepared for some GI upset as you transition to an all plant based diet. Increase your water intake as you increase your fiber intake. Also consider taking a multivitamin. Depending on your food intake you may want to add other supplements such as B vitamins or vitamin D.

As for your concern about weight loss everyone is different...your body may respond better to a high protein low carbohydrate diet. You can track your current macronutrient intake and try to get the same break down on a vegetarian diet.

Also before you reject animal based products I would look at the research on omega 3's and health...fish is the best source of omega 3's...

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

Message edited 3/14/2012 9:01:51 AM.

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

Posted by KaKa2323

Posted by FireBelle10

Posted by KaKa2323

I went vegetarian/vegan about four years ago. I immediately started feeling the difference..It was the best I ever felt! And the best part was I dropped weight without even trying! If you do stop eating meat just make sure to take vitamins especially B-12. There is plenty of protein you can get from non-meat sources..edited to say most of my diet is carbs. I eat a ton of brown rice and sweet potatoes.

do you know what other vitamins besides B-12 vegetarians/vegans should take. You don't find that eating so much carbs slows weight loss?

I take a good multivitamin and extra B-12. There was a time where I stopped taking vitamins and my vit D and B-12 were crazy low so I try not to forget now. I think it's different for everyone but I only eat "brown" carbs. I had gained a lil weight recently and for the past few weeks have been eating, pb & jelly sandwiches, brown rice and veggies, sweet potatoes and brown rice pasta and have lost 10lbs and I'm not a big person to begin with so 10lbs is a lot for me. I also barely eat dairy which is probably the easiest way to lose weight HTH

I have to say also...I was a huge diary person and drank milk with every meal and had cancer in my early 20's and that is partly why I went veggie and my health is perfect now

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

What is protein matching. When I Google it, I get posts about computer science. Thank you!




It is basically eating a variety of different plant proteins to ensure you are getting all of you essential amino acid. If you google vegetarian and protein matching you will find a lot of information. The old way to do this was to plan out meals so each meal was made up of all the essential amino acids the newer approach is to make sure you include foods with with all the essential amino acids in your daily meal plan and let your body worry about "matching " the amino acids.

Re: meat vs. whole grains/beans for weight loss

I've watched that documentary also, and was VERY disturbed by it. Since watching it, I googled it and there are several reports debunking their theory. Same thing with the China Study.