Why perhaps you’re not losing weight on Vegetables!

Do you know your Vegetables?

In the past, working with different clients, i have discovered that a lot of people just don’t seem to fully grasp vegetables. Once in a while i will get a client wanting to become a vegetarian in the hopes of loosing weight. While it is often portrayed, that most people who are vegetarian are considered healthier than their meat lovers, it is not always the case as you can easily be overweight from a vegetarian lifestyle. So, If you’re one of those people who wants to become a vegetarian in hopes of loosing weight, there are a few things you should know.

Vegetables are classified into two; starchy and non-starchy vegetables. Ideally you should consume less starchy vegetables and more  non-starchy vegetables in order to shed the kgs without having to struggle i.e count calories. Think about it no-one ever becomes overweight from eating 2nd and 3rd helpings of  lettuce, not sure the same can be said for potatoes..lol

Starchy Vegetables

• These are vegetables which often consist of roots,tubers,kernels etc. Examples include:potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash,pumpkin,cassava,arrow roots,maize etc.
• They are low in water content and thus higher in their starch content which makes them  higher in calories
• Usually require some cooking and not advised to eat raw.

Non-Starchy Vegetables

• These are vegetables which often consist of leafy, flowery,fruit like parts of the plants.  Examples spinach,kale,lettuce,cucumbers,bell peppers,cabbage,tomatoes etc
• They have high water content on their own, making them less starchy and lower in calories.
• Often eaten raw with very little cooking time.

Preparation

Another key thing to consider is the preparation of the vegetables. If you decide to deep fry your vegetables or cook cook them heavy loaded with butter and cream, then it is not rocket science that the weight will remain. So consider healthier cooking alternatives i.e grilling,roasting,steaming,pan frying. Also do not deprive yourself of other foods you love, but simple find a way to balance. Like this bacon,spinach salad .

Personally, I loooooove food, i live and breath food safe to say at this point my whole life literary revolves around food well in one way or another;-) so when it comes to eating, i have learned to focus on what is most often nutritious for my body and not soo much on the scale. Above all else, accept the body you have, and if you feel you need a change then make small steps towards achieving the larger goal because am sure you have had this a gazillion times but its 80% diet and 20% excercise.

So remember, if your eating more vegetables but are not loosing weight, reconsider the  type of vegetables your consuming and the cooking methods.