If you feel the need to lose weight then there are two things you should be concerned with. The first is your healthy diet. And the second is your exercise routine. For the best results, you will need a balance of both in your life. Sure you can lose weight by focusing on either of the two. But those results are not sustainable. Not only that, but focusing on one and not the other also limits your weight loss. If you decide to simply diet without exercise, then you might lose weight initially. But after a while, your weight loss will stagnate. The same is true for exercising without maintaining a healthy diet. So while stocking up on vegetarian recipes is important, it’s not enough on its own.
Type of Weight Loss
There are two types of weight loss. The one where you are simply trying to lose those extra winter pounds. And the more intense weight loss program.
If you are simply trying to get rid of the extra pounds, then a diet might just be enough. You probably know the basic junk foods that you need to avoid. Yes, including sweets and desserts. FYI cakes and ice-cream count as desserts as well.
But if you are trying to drop down a few sizes, then you’re likely going to need an intense diet. But eating less is not the answer. You need to eat smart.
You need to find the perfect balance of food intake. It shouldn’t be too much. Neither should it be too less, because you also need to consider your exercise routine.
You don’t want to have a diet which can’t support your intensive exercise routine. It might sounder easier than it is. While lean meats are good to have in a weight loss diet plan. They are not necessary. Countless people have had terrific results in losing weight on purely vegetarian diets.
Vegetarian Not Vegan
Before we go any further, it is important to clarify that vegetarian diets are not the same as vegan diets. So if you’re a vegan, then you should be a little cautious.
The vegetarian recipes discussed might have some ingredients which are not vegan. So you might need to substitute for those ingredients.
The main difference between vegan and vegetarian diets is that a vegan diet will exclude all animal products. That means while a vegetarian diet can have things like milk and eggs, a vegan diet will not. But there are also some vegetarian diets which will refrain from animal products as well.
There are three main types of vegetarian diets:
1. Pescetarian
A pescetarian diet primarily consists of vegetables, but can also include seafood, eggs, and milk. It will not include any meats and poultry.
2. Lacto-Ovo
A lacto-ovo vegetarian diet will include all vegetables as well as eggs and milk. It will not include seafood, meats, or poultry.
3. Lacto
A lacto vegetarian diet is similar to the lacto-ovo diet, with one exception. The lacto diet will not include any eggs either.
5 Vegetarian Recipes for Weight Loss
These vegetarian dishes are specifically designed to help with weight loss. You might need to alter a few things here and there to make them fit your specific dietary needs. And remember that the best thing you can include in your diet is an abundance of water. Seriously. Water can improve your metabolism as well as make burning fat easier.
- Asparagus and Mushroom Fettuccine
- Marinated Lentil Garden Salad Pita
- Slow Cooker Healthy Vegetable Chili
- Spaghetti Squash with Balsamic Beans
- Lentil Bolognese
#1. Asparagus and Mushroom Fettuccine
As far as vegetarian recipes go, this fettuccine should definitely be on top of your list. Not only is it good for weight loss, but it is also good for the heart.
Asparagus is full of folate which is great for fighting diseases of the heart.
What You Need:
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely shredded
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely shredded
- 1 cup chopped plum tomatoes
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup light cream or half-and-half
- 8 oz dried linguine or fettuccine
- 1/3 cup vegetable broth or mushroom broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped or 1 medium leek, thinly sliced
- 3 cups crimini mushrooms or shiitake, sliced fresh
- 8 oz asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
- Parmesan cheese, finely shredded (optional)
How to Prepare:
- Start by preparing your pasta as per the instructions on the packaging. Once it is close to being ready, add the asparagus. Remember that the asparagus only needs 1-2 minutes of cooking. Drain all the water from the pasta and asparagus.
- Meanwhile, preheat oil and cook the mushrooms, garlic, and leek on medium-high flame for 4-5 minutes. Add half-and-half (or cream), as well as broth, and stir well. Add salt and pepper and bring it all to a boil.
- Let it boil gently for 4-5 minutes. Once the mixture has thickened a little, add in the basil, tomatoes, and oregano. Stir it gently but well. Then mix it with the pasta. Toss to perfection and serve with a sprinkle of parmesan and pine nuts.
#2. Marinated Lentil Garden Salad Pita
From all the vegetarian recipes on this list, this one is the easiest to prepare. This pita is unlike any you might have had before. It is full of proteins, fibres, as well as folic acid. It is a terrific meal to help you lose weight.
What You Need:
- 1 whole-wheat pita pocket cut in half (6 1/2 inch)
- 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 3 tablespoons light Italian salad dressing
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup canned lentils, rinsed well and drained
How to Prepare:
- Take a large bowl and add the lentils, bell peppers, carrots, and celery.
- Then add the salad dressing and mix it well. Once ready, simply fill your pita pocket with the scrumptious mixture. You’re ready to have your meal.
#3. Slow Cooker Healthy Vegetable Chili
Slow cooking really brings out the flavour in this vegetable chili. The mouthwatering aroma might make you want to take it out of the slow cooker before its time.
The hardest part of making this dish is resisting that urge.
What You Need:
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, minced
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 3/4 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced onion
- 14-oz can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
- 15-oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 3 cups zucchini (green and golden)
How to Prepare:
Preparing this meal is really easy. Simply mix all the ingredients in your slow cooker for 8 to 10 hours. Your chili is going to be cooked to perfection.
#4. Spaghetti Squash with Balsamic Beans
This vegetarian dish is perfect for weight loss. The squash cleanses your body from oxidants. And the beans are a terrific source of fiber and proteins.
What You Need:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey mustard
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1/2 7-oz jar) roasted rinsed and red sweet peppers, and cut into short strips
- 15-oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 10-oz package frozen baby lima beans
- 1 medium spaghetti squash (2-1/2 to 3 pounds), halved and seeded
How to Prepare:
- You’re going to need a large Dutch oven to make these kinds of vegetarian recipes. Start by placing the squash halves in the Dutch oven with 1 inch of water. Then bring it to a boil. Once there, cover it with the lid and let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
- While the squash is cooking, cook the lima beans according to the instructions on the packaging. Add the kidney beans to the lima beans during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Once done, drain the pan of excess and add salt and the roasted bell peppers.
- In a sealable jar, add garlic, honey mustard, oil, and vinegar. Seal and shake well. Pour the vinaigrette over bean mixture and toss it well. Then take the squash halves, and scrape the pulp in strands. Once scraped, put the pulp back in the shells and add the bean mixture. Sprinkle ground pepper to taste.
#5. Lentil Bolognese
This Lentil Bolognese is one of the few vegetarian recipes that will leave you fuller than a ripe tomato. Not only is it filling, but it is also high in protein and fibre.
What You Need:
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 14-oz can organic lentils, rinsed and drained
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12-oz can crushed organic tomatoes (no-salt-added)
- 1/2 cups chopped carrot
- 7 oz pasta
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup diced yellow onion
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth
- 8 basil leaves, torn
How to Prepare:
- First, allow the pasta to cook according to the instructions on the packaging. While the pasta is cooking, place a pot on medium-high heat.
- Pour some of the vegetable broth into the pot and heat. Then add the carrots, garlic, and onions. Saute for 5-7 minutes. Add vegetable broth as required. Add the tomatoes before mixing it all well.
- Then blend the mixture until it is smooth. Then using the same pot as you did for the vegetables, add the remaining broth and lentils. Stir it well and add the blended mixture. Stir it some more for 2 minutes. Once done, toss in the basil and yeast and mix again.
- Add the mixture to the pasta and season it with pepper and salt to taste.
Conclusion
These vegetarian dishes are perfect for losing weight since they aren’t as heavy as other diet meals. And give your body the perfect amount of energy.
The Slow Cooker Healthy Vegetable Chili is my absolute favourite. It gives me time to finally sit back and take advantage of my Spectrum double play package. Who knew that 8 hours of watching television can bring on such a large appetite!
