Want a leaner figure? Go vegetarian. Here’s how to kickstart the diet

But if you can escape the world of juicy burgers and steaks, you’ll uncover a new way of eating that is just as effective for achieving a slim figure. Intrigued? Let us tell you a little more…

The vegetarian diet can seem like a complex beast, with various different offspring. To make things simple, let’s break it down:

• Lacto-vegetarian: dairy is allowed

• Pescatarian: fish is allowed

• Lacto-ovo vegetarian: dairy and eggs is allowed

• Vegan: no animal products allowed

The path which you choose to exercise is up to you - the main focus? Whole foods. Going veggie with the objective of a lean form isn’t just about cutting meat from your diet, it’s also about ditching refined and processed foods.

And the key to it all? Protein. We need protein to grow and thrive - and we don’t need meat to achieve that. While many meats are bursting with the stuff, a vegetarian diet doesn’t have to work too hard to reach your daily protein goal. The best veggie-friendly options packing a protein punch are:

• Eggs

• Legumes

• Nuts and seeds

• Tofu

And there’s no need to worry about missing out on any nutrients you would benefit from eating meat. This list more than makes up for it:

• Zinc - pumpkin seeds, walnuts, cashew nuts

• Iron - kale, spinach, artichokes

• Calcium - broccoli, almonds, butternut squash

Eager to get started? We’ve pulled together a sample menu, with recipes fit for a herbivore king…

Breakfast: Raspberry chia pudding

image source: Green Kitchen Stories

Gorgeous to look at, gorgeous to eat. Kickstart your day with this simple chia pudding from Green Kitchen Stories. Chia seeds are magical little things, soaking up milk to create a creamy dish packed full of protein. The prep is all done the night before - meaning you can open the fridge, add your toppings and devour within minutes the following morning. It’s an easy life, isn’t it?

Lunch: Pumpkin, beetroot & chickpea salad

image source: Kayla Itsines

Queen of the lean body? It’s got to be Kayla Itsines. She’s been championing her infamous bikini body guides on social media for the last few years, gathering millions of online fans. Follow her lead with this tasty lunch dish. Salads don’t have to be boring - a whole host of fresh ingredients make this recipe burst with flavour. And with plenty of chickpeas, you’ll have one satisfied tummy.

Dinner: Zucchini and carrot noodles with avocado, pea & kale pesto

image source: Deliciously Ella

Vegans, rejoice - this dish is from the plant-based online diary of Ella Woodward. Get an injection of green veggies with this recipe, using kale, zucchini, peas and avocado. Stuffed full of nutrients and protein (we’re looking at you, pumpkin seeds), this is the kind of dinner that will fill you up while working wonders on your body. Oh, and it only makes ten minutes to make. Perfect.

Snack: Almond superfood smoothie

Image source: The Tasty bite Blog

This protein pick-me- up from The Tasty bite Blog is perfect if you’re feeling peckish. With cottage cheese and almonds working their magic to keep you nice and full, this smoothie will keep you going on a long afternoon. And it’s super creamy; with coconut, banana and cocoa finishing it off in sweet style. It may not look it, but we promise it’s healthy.