Following a vegetarian diet does not yield a larger amount of weight loss than following a non-vegetarian diet according to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh followed a group of 176 overweight and sedentary adults for a period of 18 months. Half the group was allowed to choose their own diet, whereas the other half was assigned a diet. Of the group that was assigned a diet, half of the participants were assigned a vegetarian diet.

Not surprising, participants who were assigned a diet lost more weight than those who chose a diet. Among those who were assigned a diet, participants who followed a “standard” diet lost 8% and those who followed a vegetarian diet lost 7.9%.

NetSweat.com comments: There is a common misperception that following a vegetarian diet will make you skinny. The reality is that there are many overweight vegetarians and vegans. (French fries made with vegetable oil are both vegan and bad for you.)

This said, the majority of overweight people do not eat enough vegetables. A quarter pound of carrots, for instance, is much healthier than a quarter pound of pot roast. Plus, since vegetables are less calorie dense than just about all processed and baked foods, they will allow you to feel more full at lower levels of caloric intake.