Vegetarians win diet contest

Vegetarians are slimmer than other people and very rarely suffer from obesity, according to a study published yesterday.

A vegetarian diet is "highly effective" for losing weight, researchers said.

And the good news is that vegetarians can eat "unlimited" quantities of fruit, vegetable and whole grain and still maintain a healthy body weight, according to the findings.

The analysis, published in the journal Nutrition Reviews, suggests that meat eaters who switch to a low-fat vegan diet lose about one pound ( or 0.5 kg) a week - and can be allowed unlimited portion sizes.

The researchers looked at 87 studies of vegetarian diets, finding that people who avoid meat enjoy a body weight between three and 20 per cent less than others.

The researchers, commissioned by the US-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, cited a recent study published by Tim Key, of Oxford University, showing that plant-based diets can reduce weight gain.

Researcher Dr Susan Berkow said: "Our research reveals that people can enjoy unlimited portions of high-fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to achieve or maintain a healthy body weight without feeling hungry."