One of the benefits of eating a vegan diet is weight loss. Weight loss is almost effortless for some who start eating a vegan diet. The pounds fall off and you feel great.
You never thought that after eating a vegan diet for nearly a year that you would have a problem with your weight, but for some reason you are gaining weight in your midsection.
Stubborn belly fat rears it’s ugly head and you are confused because you are eating a vegan diet, doing all the right things, but you don’t understand why your belly is fat.
Today you learn why your belly is getting fat while eating a vegan diet and tips to help you get rid of the belly fat.
My Big Belly Story
I started my experiment with eating a vegan diet in 2008 and in the beginning everything was great. I have had my ups and downs, but over the years, I have maintained a healthy weight.
Let’s fast forward to 2013. I experimented with eating a starch based vegan diet and this is the time when I noticed that my belly started getting fatter.
It was this year when I finally understood why my belly got bigger and why I felt bloated and fatigued after eating certain foods.
I eliminated those foods, changed my diet and as a result I no longer have bloating or feel fatigued. I am starting to see my abdominal muscles take form. Sticking with a fitness routine definitely makes a difference.
The Vegan Diet
The vegan diet is a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, beans, and grains. Some vegans exclude extracted oils from their diets, while others include oils in their diets.
Most of the foods in a vegan diet are carbohydrates; seeds and nuts are fats.
“Low-fat diets tend to be high in carbs because protein in nature usually comes bound with fats. Since you go low on the fats and proteins you eat high carb by default (Schenck, Beyond Broccoli, p. 75)
Sensitivity to Carbohydrates
Some people are sensitive to carbohydrates and it does not matter the source of these carbohydrates.
“Carb-sensitive” people, after consuming simple carbohydrates and sugars, experience a rapid spike of blood sugar that triggers, in turn, a spike in insulin and associated metabolic cellular messengers and leads to negative consequences: the body receives the signal to store, not burn fat; and the spike in insulin causes a rapid drop in blood sugar; this in turn creates uncomfortable symptoms like fatigue, irritability, headaches, and brain fog. These symptoms stimulate the individual to seek even more carbohydrates and sugars to remedy the feelings associated with the rapid drop in blood sugar.” (Schenck, Beyond Broccoli, p. 75) (Actual Source: Hyman, Ultimate Metabolism, p. 51)
Get Rid of the Belly Fat
Here are some tips on how to get rid of belly fat:
- decrease the amount of high glycemic (spikes blood sugar) foods that you eat (certain fruits, sweeteners, tubers, certain root vegetables, grains, certain beans)
- drink the recommended amount of water
- consume healthy fats
- consume essential fatty acids
- have a good protein source with each meal
- decrease the amount of sweet smoothies and sweet juices you consume (it is best not to consume any sweet beverages)
- consume most of your food whole with fiber intact
- decrease processed vegan foods in your diet (best to eliminate these foods)
- consider going gluten-free
- have a consistent fitness routine that has strength training and HIIT (high intensity interval training)
- get the rest your body needs
- do not be afraid of taking supplements
- keep a food journal and note how you feel
- experiment on yourself and note how you feel.
Conclusion
Some people are carbohydrate sensitive and you have to determine if you are carbohydrate sensitive. Once you determine if you are carbohydrate sensitive, then you can start getting rid of the belly fat.
Pay attention to how you feel after eating certain foods.
Your body tells you everything you need to know, but it’s up to you to listen and take action.
Image courtesy of jesadaphorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Hi. I know this post is super old, but I came across it on a google search, and… this is exactly my situation.
Some time ago, having figured out that I was carb sensitive, I switched to a low carb/high fat diet. I hate it, I felt disgusting eating so much fat, but my distended stomach flattened and I started losing weight and wasn’t so hungry all the time, so great, right?
I was worried that the carb sensitivity meant that I am showing signs of diabetes, so I asked my doctor for a blood test. The results were terrifying: my lipid levels are through the roof (glucose levels were perfectly fine, though). So my doctor has insisted that I return to a fat free diet. Of course, as soon as I re-introduced a lot of carbs, my belly has puffed out and none of my clothes fit anymore.
Thoughts, ideas? Currently wondering if it’s possible to survive on a low carb, low fat, low protein diet.
Hi Elisa,
Thanks for commenting!
Have you checked into FOMAPS, these are fermentable carbohydrates that cause some people to bloat? These can be vegetables, beans, even avocado. So whenever you eat certain foods that are FOMAPS, notice how you feel.
A personal trainer once recommended that I do the Slim State/Colorado Diet, and I tried it, but I didn’t stick with it. On, August 1st, I am starting over and beginning with Phase I.
Slim of State is a book written by James O. Hill, Ph.D., and Holly R. Wyatt, MD: Fix Your Metabolism and Drop 20 Pounds in 8 Weeks on the Colorado Diet. I encourage you to check it out, but the diet, in a nutshell, is low-fat, but they allow for two servings of fat from the fat sources that they recommend. Main carb sources are from approved sources. It leans toward lower-carbs, but as you work through the Phases I, II, & III, you can include more carbs and fat sources. Most carbs come from vegetables. They also stress being active as well.
It is best to maintain balance, realize that your body needs a certain amount of protein to maintain your muscle mass, carbohydrates for energy (45-65%) of your caloric intake, and fat.
I hope you’ve found this information helpful and if you have further questions, please feel free to ask.
Take care,
Evelyn
Thanks so much for the quick reply, and the advice! I will check out Slim State/Colorado Diet, it sounds really interesting.
I’m familiar with FODMAPS. Oddly, nearly everything which causes me to bloat up like a balloon is on the low-fodmap list. I might experiment with it anyway.
Thanks again and have a great day!
Elisa,
You’re welcome!
Just noticed that I spelled FODMAPS wrong after reading your comment. 🙂
Hmm, you may consider, if you don’t already do this, incorporating probiotic and digestive enzymes.
Also, when you eat take time to eat slowly and chew your food well.
Sometimes when we eat fast, it can cause issues with digestion. Slowing down helps with digestion.
Have a great week!!
Evelyn
So I’m reading the Colorado Diet now and there’s some interesting observations in here about metabolism, but the way they completely ignore the existence of vegetarianism – despite Colorado’s relatively high rate of vegetarians – calls the whole thing into question and makes it nearly impossible to follow. The only vegan protein option for Phase 1 is protein powder. :/ I’m not surprised that you didn’t stick with it!
Hi Elisa!
When I tried the Colorado Diet, I was not a plant-based dieter. I did not stick with the plan.
I am retrying the diet (I started on August 1st) and so far things are going well; I am not a plant-based dieter.
If was a strict vegetarian, I don’t see how I would be able to follow the plan, especially the Phase I, but it is doable for those who are Lacto-Ovo vegetarians or pescatarians.
The State of Slim book does not give a lot of veg options because it is not the kind of book that focuses on any one specific diet. They are presenting the reader with what they know works for resetting metabolism, losing weight, and maintaining weight.
Thanks for your feedback!!
P.S. This blog post was written when I followed a plant-based diet.
Hi, Thank you for this article. It is the MOST helpful thing I’ve read since I became vegan.
I have been transitioning to a vegan diet since late Feb 2017. Animal products literally made me sick, my body started repelling them. I have gained A LOT of weight, first & especially in my mid section. I am miserable because of the size. However, I have none of these as a result of eating a vegan diet: fatigue, irritability, headaches, and brain fog. I had fatigue prior, diagnosed with Epstein-Barr. Actually fatigue has decreased. Also, all of those have decreased.
I thought switching from whole foods: fruits, veggies, avocado, to more variety would help but things have gotten worse since I stopped eating bananas & avocados : I stopped because I believe I have kidney issues…I can’t yet get to a Dr.
I am scheduled to attend a Davita kidney healthy diet class. Until it takes place I am desperate for advice. Also, Davita will not offer a vegan option for a diet plan. I asked. I thought this was strange & a bit rude. If they are trained in nutrition how hard would it be for a nutritionist to tweek a (healthy for kidneys) traditional diet to vegan. I am missing work for this class & they won’t even offer a vegan option and I asked weeks ago. The class isn’t for 2 more weeks. I feel so alone in this dilemma. I just want to be healthy & get back to my normal weight.
Hi Donna,
Thanks for sharing!
How are you sleeping? And how are you managing your stress?
Make sure you are getting your Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) (Omega-3). As a vegan, it may be challenging to get EFAs and essential amino acids. Also make sure you are getting B-12 and vitamin D. How is your gut health? Do some research on probiotics to see if that is something you need to get in your diet.
I hope all goes well for you and that your kidney health improves.
Thanks for stopping by!
Wishing you the best!
I’m a renal dietitian. Please be careful with nutrition advice you receive on the internet. And make sure you discuss kidney issues and get diet advice from your physician or dietitian. A lot of kidney patients must restrict protein, calcium & potassium. Your physician can let you know more.
Melissa, thanks for your input, I guess you’re chastising me!? (lol) I usually tell people to see a health care professional, because I am not a physician, dietician or a nutritionist. I know my scope, and I do stay in my lane.
At the time I replied to Donna, I forgot to tell her to see her physician, but I see in her comment that she said she could not get to a doctor (she didn’t state why). That is the reason why I didn’t mention it (she knows she needs to see a physician), plus she’s taking steps to get to the root of her issue with other professionals who can help her.
Again, thanks for your input because your comment is helpful for anyone who lands on this blog post!
Take care,
Evelyn
I don’t gain weight with fruit (80/10/10), but starches are a different story. If I eat pasta, if I eat rice, if I eat bread, I pack on the pounds instantly – I can feel the fat creeping in. I feel sweat, fatigue, and lack of motivation. I’m at a normal body weight for a late-20s male, but ideally I want to look like a marathon runner.
But, anyway, the article is spot on – it’s very simple: not everyone has the metabolism, the biochemistry to succeed on starches – those of us searched this article are just that. We do a lot better on high fat and protein, or just a mix of all three micronutrients.
I love my creamy vegan chocolate/banana/date smoothies, nut bars, and some bananas. I love a nice meal replacement powder like Garden of Life, or a nice smoothie. I *have* to have Foods where I don’t feel like I weigh brick after — ice cold smoothies give me that leverage.
Hi, Julee!
Thanks for chiming in and sharing your experience with starches. Sounds like you know what works for you.
Take care,
Evelyn
I think this might be my issue. I am a “starchivore” vegan and only eat whole foods which means I tend to eat a bunch of rice, oatmeal, and potatoes along with fruits and veggies. But I am always bloated and my tummy is a little puffy. I am tiny everywhere but my tummy. Granted I had kids, but you’d think eating whole foods (no oil too) and working out, it’d be much better lol. I think it’s the overload of carbs..
Hi Tiff,
Sounds like you have it figured out.
I would encourage you to incorporate healthy fats/oils in your diet. Because they are beneficial for our digestive health. Oh, and if you aren’t already, start taking a quality probiotic.
Thanks for chiming in and sharing your experience with us!!
Hi Evelyn,
Can you give me some idea of what the number is that is considered high on the glycemic index. I’ve been a vegan for 8 years. I’d like to lose about 5 lbs. but nothing that I do short of going back to a diet like South Beach takes off the belly fat. I have cholesterol issues and recently added grains back into my diet to try to reduce it Thank you
Hi Lauren!
Sorry for my late reply! Here’s a link for you to check out: http://nutritiondata.self.com/topics/glycemic-index
Having higher cholesterol/triglycerides is related to the amount of sugar/carbs you are eating. In order to get results, you have to cut out those foods that are high in sugar and have a high glycemic index. The link I shared with you has a chart that includes the GI for common foods.
Incorporating grains could be a problem for you because some grains actually cause bloating in some people and are high in carbs, not to mention the gluten that is present in these grains. You may want to look in grain-free options.
I recommend you try eating more non-starchy vegetables and low-glycemic goods, add a quality probiotic, make sure you are getting adequate protein, and don’t be afraid to incorporate healthy fats. Don’t forget to do some movement that you like.
Thanks for sharing what’s happening to you and I wish you the best!
Hello, over 2 months ago I switched to a vegan like diet (based on the Eat to Live approach by Dr. Fhurman). I felt amazing the first month on this plan. I came from a high protein high fat diet with no fruit to this and the switch worked and I started losing weight. The last 2 weeks (after being on plan for 6-7 weeks I started getting awful digestion issues like bloating, gas and feeling full constantly and uncomfortable. I can barely eat even though I am hungry. I get some uncomfortable pain too. I don’t understand what’s going on because I am still eating the same volume and types of food I started with. I eat 2-4 servings of fruit a day, beans (usually in form of bean burger -homemade or hummus), 1 -2lbs of raw and cooked vegetables. I also sometimes add in nuts and avocado. But due to my stomach bloating and feeling bad about how I look I’ve pretty much taken those out. I stay away from starchy carbs like potatoes and I don’t eat grains. Any ideas as to what might be going on? I was looking and feeling so amazing and then 6 weeks later I am back to where I started. I have an appt with a naturopath this weekend and hopefully they can help.
Hi Shenade,
Sorry for the late reply!
Beans could be the culprit, but know that there are some fruits and vegetables that may cause bloating too. I recommend you take an elimination approach, which means that you eliminate a food that you suspect could be causing your digestive issues and reintroduce it into your diet after a certain amount of time. You could have a food intolerance and not realize it. Eliminating some foods you think might be the issue is a great place to start. Check out this article http://evelynparham.com/know-food-intolerance/
It is also a good idea to eat fermented foods, take probiotics, and possibly an enzyme to help with digestion. Oh, and be sure you are eating healthy fats. I know Dr. Fuhrman’s approach does not call for much fat/oil, but fat helps with digestion too.
Keep me posted!!
Hey Evelyn!! Your article sounds like just my story!! I am too strictly on a vegan diet but can’t get any desired changes!! Wasn’t aware of the carb sensitivity issues!! Great information! Much Needed! Thank You
Hi Neha,
Welcome! It sounds like you need to loosen up a little. 🙂 When we put restrictions on ourselves, it can sometimes be stressful.
Yes, some people are sensitive to carbohydrates, and it doesn’t matter the kind of diet one follows.
Thanks for chiming in on the discussion!
Hello Evelyn!
I have been a high carb low fat vegan for about 7 months now, and I definitely have the same problem that you have just described. My stomach fat is so stubborn, if not getting worse, and I have noticed I haven’t been feeling good after eating a lot of fruit actually. Since most of my diet has been centered around good carbs, it’s hard for me to figure out what I’m supposed to eat now. What do you recommend?
Thank you!
Hi Marisa,
Your body is sending you signals that what you are doing is not the best thing at this time. Everyone cannot eat a high carb low fat vegan diet; we are all different. You may have to flip this and do higher fat (healthy fat) and lower carb. You have to test this and see what works best for you. You can’t always go with what the experts say, your body will be the judge of that.
FYI – Some of us are sensitive to fermentable carbohydrates, even though they are ‘good carbs.’ These fermentable carbs cause bloating, gas and digestion upset for some. Examples are broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts.
You need to do an elimination test on foods you suspect cause your bloating.
You may also be sensitive to eating a high carbohydrate diet. Long-term eating of high-carb can result in insulin resistance for some people which is one of the reasons why belly fat is hard to lose. The fact that you don’t feel well after eating fruit is a sign that the sugar content might be too much for you to handle. Just an educated guess on that. If you’ve been under stress, that can also cause you to store belly fat.
My recommendations:
– buy a high quality probiotic (10 Billion)
– eat carbohydrates (veggies) that have a lower glycemic index/sugar content
– if you eat grains/beans/nuts/seeds pay attention to the carbohydrate content (try to make sure these foods are from a whole source)
– eat only berries or low sugar fruit (don’t eat a lot of fruit)
– make sure you get the amount of protein that you need
– make sure you eat healthy fats (don’t be afraid of healthy fats)
– buy a glucometer so you can test your blood glucose.
Thanks for your question and I hope I have provided you with some helpful tips.
All the best to you,
Evelyn
Great insights. I know my sister has struggled with the effects of carbs, while I seem to have better luck. As we are twins, it’s a mystery. Maybe some of these tips will help me avoid belly bloat issues. Thanks.
Hey Alexandra,
Thanks!
Hmm…that is a mystery. I hope these tips help you. 😉
Thanks for stopping by and chiming in!