The Surprising Truth About Plant-Based Foods and Weight Loss
The French Perspective
In 2021, French consumer magazine "60 Millions de Consommateurs" shed light on the issue with an unequivocal investigation that largely mitigated the burgeoning success of plant-based meat and animal protein alternatives. The organisation concluded that these foods are not necessarily healthier than their animal counterparts.
The Reality of Plant-Based Foods
While these products do provide protein and a satisfactory amount of fibre, many of them are nonetheless ultra-processed, manufactured in ways to make soy and legume-based patties and sausages more palatable. Above all, the magazine warned four years ago of the excessive presence of fat, but also of excessive salt and the presence of additives in these foods.
The Image of Healthiness
The image of these foods being healthy, by virtue of their commitment to animal welfare and/or the environment, doesn’t automatically go hand in hand with ingredients or compositions that are good for human health. And, surprising as it may seem, European consumers were aware of this.
The EIT Food Report
In March 2024, a report by the EIT Food Consumer Observatory indicated that 36% of them considered vegan chicken pieces to be ultra-processed foods. The same was true of vegan cheese slices for 34% of respondents.
Can Soy Patties be Compared to Potato Chips?
When it comes to labelling them “ultra-processed foods”, then yes. But when considering the composition of a diet to aid weight loss, not all these foods can be put in the same basket, according to a study by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism.
The Surprising Conclusion
In fact, replacing animal products with plant-based foods – regardless of their level of processing – can lead to significant weight loss, notably thanks to lower fat and calorie content, while at the same time boosting fibre intake. This conclusion was reached following an experiment involving overweight patients, who were asked to follow a low-fat plant-based diet with no calorie limit.
The Experiment
At the same time, a control group of other patients who made no dietary changes was set up to compare results after a 16-week period. On average, those on a plant-based diet lost 5.9 kg, while the weight loss of the control group was deemed insignificant by the researchers, they reported in a news release.
The Predictors of Weight Loss
“ The top three predictors of weight loss were reduced consumption of processed animal foods (such as smoked fish), unprocessed or minimally processed animal foods (such as milk, beef, and eggs), and ultra-processed animal foods (such as cheese, fried chicken, and sausage),” the news release read.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while plant-based foods may be ultra-processed, they can still lead to significant weight loss when used as a replacement for animal products in a diet. The key is to focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods, regardless of their processing level, to promote overall health and well-being.
FAQs
Q: Are all plant-based foods created equal?
A: No, not all plant-based foods are created equal. While some may be highly processed, others may be whole and nutrient-dense.
Q: Can I still lose weight with plant-based foods?
A: Yes, replacing animal products with plant-based foods, regardless of their level of processing, can lead to significant weight loss.
Q: What is the key to a healthy plant-based diet?
A: Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods, and avoid highly processed foods, regardless of their origin.