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    Why I Follow A Plant-Based (Vegan) Diet

    I began my quest to return to a healthier weight in early 2011. I started by counting calories. I joined Calorie Count on About.com and carefully documented my meals and activities.

    The site features a calculator that helps you identify your ideal weight and a target number of calories per day that will enable you to lose 1-2 pounds a week.

    I managed to lose 40 pounds in 5 months before I tired of counting calories and hit a plateau.

    A Little Knowledge is a Good Thing

    Keeping a food journal on Calorie Count made me more mindful of what I was eating. While I was counting calories I was also reading about nutrition.

    A friend told me about a documentary called Forks Over Knives. The documentary had not been released, but I was able to purchase the companion book Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health. I was intrigued by the book’s premise and went on to read books written by the doctors and researchers featured in the documentary.

    By the time the film was released in August 2011 I was convinced eliminating animal protein and processed oils from my diet was worth a try.

    The Benefits of Going Plant-Based

    Adopting a plant-based (vegan) lifestyle enabled me to lose an additional 30 pounds by 2012 without counting a single calorie. Over the years a few pounds have crept back on—especially when I don't watch my sugar and fat intake—but I have kept most of the weight off without dieting.

    More About Me

    • Why I created This Blog
    • Why I'm An Unlikely Food Blogger

    Questions?

    Please feel free to contact me.

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    Margaret Helthaler headshot

    Hi! I'm Margaret. I created Veggie Primer to share what I've learned since adopting a plant-based lifestyle in 2011.

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    Note: The information I publish on Veggie Primer is based on my experience and represents my personal opinion. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of the information I share.

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