Unlocking the Secret to Weight Loss: A Comparative Analysis of Plant-Based Diets

The New DIETs Study: Comparing Vegan, Vegetarian and Other Diets for Weight Loss

A recent study called the New DIETs study looked at how well people can stick to and like different types of diets for losing weight. The diets included vegan (no animal products at all), vegetarian (no meat or fish), pesco-vegetarian (vegetarian plus seafood), semi-vegetarian (mostly plant-based with some meat), and omnivore (no food restrictions).

Sixty-three overweight adults joined the six-month study. The researchers checked on their diet adherence and acceptability at two months and six months using surveys. They also looked at weight loss and changes in cholesterol intake from animal foods by diet type. They assessed eating behaviors related to willpower and liking food.

The Main Results Were:

Adherence and acceptability ratings were similar across the five diet groups at both check-ins

Non-adherent vegan and vegetarian followers still decreased their cholesterol intake the most compared to other groups

Non-adherent vegans/vegetarians also lost over 6% of their weight, more than non-adherent meat eaters

Willpower and food cravings did not affect adherence overall

Letting people choose which diet they preferred made no difference in adherence

In summary, vegan and vegetarian diets worked well for weight loss and reducing animal foods. They were as easy to stick to as less restrictive diets. Even those who cheated stayed healthier. Guiding people toward no- or low-meat diets could have more impact than moderate meat advice.

Moore WJ, McGrievy ME, Turner-McGrievy GM. Dietary adherence and acceptability of five different diets, including vegan and vegetarian diets, for weight loss: The New DIETs study. Eat Behav. 2015 Dec;19:33-8. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2015.06.011. Epub 2015 Jul 2. PMID: 26164391.