People go vegan for lots of reasons: to reduce their environmental impact, to address animal cruelty concerns, to improve certain health markers, and even to lose weight. In fact, at the time this was published, more than 228,000 Instagram posts had been tagged #veganweightloss.

Like vegetarians, vegans don’t eat meat. But while many vegetarians still consume some animal products, like dairy and eggs, vegans pass on them all—even honey (which is produced by bees) and gelatin (a common thickener used in packaged foods, which is made from the bones and skin of farm animals).

That leaves vegans to eat nutrient-rich fruits and veggies, protein-packed beans and legumes, hearty whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil and avocado. But it also allows them to load up on not-so-healthy but still-technically-vegan foods, like sugary snacks, white bread and pasta, and junk foods like potato chips and French fries.

This begs the question: Does a vegan diet for weight loss really work? Here’s what you should know about going vegan if shedding pounds is your ultimate goal.

Back up: Is a vegan diet actually healthy?

When you fill your plate with healthy foods, going vegan can serve up some serious health benefits, according to a review of research and position statement from the American Dietetic Association. People who follow plant-based diets have lower cholesterol, body mass index, and blood pressure, along with decreased rates of type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer.

What makes a vegan diet so healthy? Cutting red meat and dairy from your diet is one way to decrease your intake of saturated fat, which is known to raise your risk of heart disease and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. Plus, plant-based diets tend to emphasize satisfying fiber, essential vitamins and minerals, and a vast variety of plant compounds (including antioxidants) that have disease-fighting properties.

But switching to a vegan diet won’t automatically make you healthier. “Probably the most common mistake people make on the vegan diet is thinking everything vegan is healthy,” says Julie Devinsky, RD, a clinical nutritionist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. After all, French fries and Skittles are both vegan and no one is going to tell you to start making a meal out of candy and carbs.

So, is going vegan a healthy way to lose weight?

If a vegan diet helps you swap out empty calories for nutrient-dense foods, then absolutely. “For many, weight loss on a vegan diet results from the combination of avoiding unhealthy foods and replacing those options with healthier ones,” Devinsky says.

In other words, if you’re accustomed to grabbing take-out every night, making your own vegan tofu and brown rice bowl at home can help you lose weight because you are totally in control of the cooking method and what goes in it.

Still, certain vegan trade-offs can actually make you gain weight. To lose weight on any type of diet, you need to cut the number of calories you’re consuming. One of the easiest ways to do that is eat fewer refined carbs and more lean protein, which will keep you fuller for longer between meals.

When you don’t eat any meat, though, eating more protein can be tough, because your options are more limited, explains Nancy Rahnama, MD, a board-certified bariatric surgeon in California. So a vegan eater might end up downing a bowl of carb-rich pasta instead of a plate with protein-packed chicken breast.

How to start a vegan diet for weight loss

If you want to get healthier and lose weight by trying a vegan diet, it’s important to choose the right foods.

Healthy vegan foods for weight loss

• Fiber-rich fruits: berries, pears, apples, oranges, and more

• Fiber-rich vegetables: broccoli, potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and more

• Leafy greens: kale, spinach, collard greens, and Swiss chard

• Healthy fats: avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds

• Plant-based proteins: tofu, tempeh, soy milk, and seitan

• Whole grains: oats, brown rice, quinoa, and whole grain bread

• Beans and legumes (also proteins): black beans, lentils, and chickpeas

Vegan foods to be cautious of on a weight loss plan

• Processed meat substitutes: Not all of these options are unhealthy (and plant-based meats are trendier than ever), but you should scrutinize the nutrition label as you would with any other packaged food.

• Vegan desserts: Unless you know exactly what is in them, vegan cookies, cakes, and ice cream should still be treated as indulgences and eaten in moderation.

• White bread and pasta: Overdoing it on starch is easy on a vegan diet, so be mindful of your portions by trying to include more veggies in your meal.

• Processed vegan snacks: Vegan granola bars and chips are still processed snacks. Pay attention to the ingredients, calories, and sugar content.

Tips on how to craft a healthy vegan meal

1. Pile your plate with vegetables.

Both Dr. Rahnama and Devinsky recommend filling half your plate with veggies before you add anything else. That way, you have built-in portion control for the rest of your plate: fats, proteins, or whole grains.

2. Don’t forget protein.

“For most carnivores, the meal centers around proteins—vegans can sometimes shift the focus and often fill up on breads, pasta, and rice,” Devinsky says. But going vegan shouldn’t mean ditching protein, since it can help you stay full longer (and you’re bound to experience hunger pangs once you start dropping pounds). “Consider legumes such as beans and peas as additional ways to get adequate protein,” Devinsky says. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating about 5.5 ounces of protein each day.

3. Mind your portions.

At the end of the day, healthy foods also contain calories. Even if your snack is vegan (and a high-quality, nutrient-dense food), extra portions will add up and stall weight loss efforts, says Robyn Goldberg, RD, a nutritionist in California.

4. Go whole grain.

To make sure your vegan diet is healthy, avoid loading up on simple carbs (like white bread). Instead, opt for whole grains (like wild rice, oats, and quinoa) or simply swap for sources of plant-based protein, like lentils, beans, or chickpeas.

5. Add in healthy fats.

Foods like avocados, olives, and nuts are rich in satiating mono- and polyunsaturated fats, which can help you reach a healthier weight, Dr. Rahnama says.

6. Watch out for vegan treats.

Just because a decadent-looking cookie has vegan on the label, doesn’t mean it’s any healthier than a non-vegan one. “A vegan cookie may not contain butter or eggs, but most contain vegetable oils and sugar,” Devinsky says.

This won’t do much for your waistline. “I see many patients who have gained weight after starting a vegan diet—many start eating deserts without guilt, simply because they are labeled as being vegan,” Dr. Rahnama cautions.

7. Avoid processed foods.

The same less-is-more strategy goes for processed foods—even if they’re vegan. “If you are going to have a packaged vegan food, be wary and read the label carefully,” Devinsky says. “The more ingredients you don’t recognize, the worse it is.”

The bottom line: A vegan diet can help you lose weight if you choose nutrient-dense foods.

Loading up on vegan processed foods and too many refined carbs can actually lead to weight gain. Focus on eating more fruits and vegetables so you can develop healthy eating habits that will lead to sustainable changes.

The post How to Go Vegan for Weight Loss in a Healthy Way, According to Experts appeared first on Prevention.