Vegan

 You have probably heard of all the positive effects of eating more vegetables and fewer red meat and dairy products. Perhaps you are even feeling inspired to go on a Vegan diet-that excludes all animal-derived foods, which include eggs and dairy products-just to improve your health or shed a few pounds. Even if you are only trying to follow a plant-based diet to lose a few pounds, these simple tips are an excellent starting point. First of all, make sure that the foods that you choose to eat contain lots of vegetables, at least a serving a day. Try to avoid white flour products, which are made from grains that are difficult to digest and can disrupt your hormone levels. (The hormone disrupts your body's natural menstrual cycle and can cause acne, fibroids, weight gain and other physical problems.)

Try substituting your red meat and dairy products with tofu, which is also very digestible and has little or no effect on hormones. Also, substitute whole grains with brown rice, whole-wheat pasta and whole-grain rice. Choose organic vegetables as much as possible. If you are a vegan, you can still enjoy a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, and plant-based protein such as nuts, seeds and beans. Always use olive oil instead of animal fat when cooking and don't forget to drink plenty of water!

As a side note, when shopping for peanuts, almonds, cashews and walnuts, look for those that are certified as a "feel good" food, which means that they have low levels of fat, sodium and other additives that can be problematic for people who are on vegan diets. Nuts contain lots of protein but should be eaten in moderation, especially peanuts, almonds and walnuts. In addition to being high in protein, nuts contain a lot of fat so it's important to watch how much you eat. Unhealthy fats like junk food and fast food make up the largest part of calories in most people's diets and can raise your cholesterol levels as well as increase your risk of heart disease. Stay away from them.