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How do whole, plant-based foods help with weight control?

8/8/2013

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Whole, plant-based foods are low in calories. The RDA (for calories varies with age). The range for adult women is 1,600-2,000 calories/day and for adult men is 2,000-3,200 calories/day depending on age and activity level. If you consume mostly or all whole, plant-based foods, it becomes very easy to keep your calorie intake within the recommended level while at the same time eating enough food to feel satisfied and full.

And speaking of feeling satisfied and full, whole, plant-based foods are loaded with fiber, which allows us to fill up without consuming excess calories. In fact, our appetites are controlled by fiber, nutrient density, and caloric density. We know that plant-based foods are high in fiber and nutrients, while at the same time are low in calories, a perfect combination! Because of the high nutrient density, diets that are high in whole, plant-based foods curb hunger and food cravings, and lead to permanent weight loss. We can eat whole, plant-based foods to our heart’s content (literally) and still lose weight and keep it off permanently! 

In addition, most whole, plant-based foods are low in fat. For healthy weight loss, the recommended daily allowance of fat for adults is 25-35% of the total calories (coming) from fat. (Ideally below 25% is best for permanent weight control). According to T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., (author of The China Study) most people that eat a whole, plant-based diet consume only 10-15% of their total daily calories from fat.

An added benefit is that the fats found in most whole, plant-based foods are the healthy, unsaturated fats, including both mono- and poly-unsaturated fats. There is much evidence that eating foods rich in the unsaturated fats improves blood cholesterol levels, and decreases risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Here’s something else: you have to consume a large amount of most whole, plant-based foods in order to increase your calorie consumption compared to consuming processed or animal-based foods! It should come as no surprise that the consumption of a whole plant-based diet is linked to optimal health and weight. In The China Study, T. Colin Campbell reported a very interesting finding: the average Chinese consumed 33% more calories per day than Americans, mostly from whole, plant-based foods (only about 10% of their calories came from animal-based foods). Yet Chinese in general are much thinner and have 20% less body weight than Americans. 

Plant-based foods are so incredibly low in calories and rich in nutrients & fiber that the more of them you eat, the more weight you will lose! That is, of course, as long as you’re not loading them with butter, bacon, cheese, and so forth. So creamed spinach with butter, heavy cream and cheese does not count!
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    Terri Quenzer, PhD

    Terri has a passion for good health and for helping others find happiness in themselves through better health! Through her scientific and life experiences, her goal is to help you reach your healthy goals!

    ​Be The Healthy U!: nominated for San Diego's Best Nutrition/Cooking Classes of 2016!

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    Catch Terri's interview about plant-based nutrition on KCQB 1170 AM - click here.

    How Not to Die: Terri interviews New York Times Bestselling Author Michael Greger, MD. Listen below.
    Terri speaks with Jordan Hoffman of Jordan Hoffman Acupuncture about what to eat and East vs West.
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