Should you go veggie?

Vegetarians tend to be healthier than meat-eaters, according to a study published in Nutrition Reviews today.

The researchers, who reviewed and compiled 87 studies on the subject, found that vegetarians weigh between three and 20 percent less than meat-eaters and are less likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other obesity-linked conditions.

They also found that people who switch to low-fat vegan diets lose about one pound per week, even without changes in exercise habits or limits on portion sizes, calories, or carbohydrates.

"There is evidence that a vegan diet causes an increased calorie burn after meals, meaning plant-based foods are being used more efficiently as fuel for the body, as opposed to being stored as fat," says Dr. Neal D. Barnard, a co-author of the study and member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, in a prepared statement.

Should you decide to "go veggie," you may want to check out this USDA website, which has suggestions on how to keep up with dietary requirements for nutrients like protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B₁₂. ☼