meat reduction = weight loss?

Yes, if I cut back (but not eliminate completely) from meat and focus on fish and other protein foods over a one week period I will lose a pound or two. If I completely eliminated meat over a prolonged period I would probably lose a lot more. If you are trying to lose weight, maybe eliminate refined carbohydrates and white sugar. I did, and lost 20 pounds over one year. If you want to cut out meat completely but not lose any weight, try upping other proteins such as fish, eggs, tofu, beans, good cheese.

I went low-carb for a long time and lost quite a bit of weight.  the problem was that it wasn't sustainable because what I always crave is carbs.  I recently went to no meat at all during the week, and consequently increasing my carb intake, but I've lost weight.  quite a good amount.  this is sort of counter-intuitive to me because everything you read is about reducing carbs and going high protein.  I was just wondering if there was some different effect on us jpouchers.  I know meat is harder to digest.

Reducing anything will generally cause weight loss if you don't increase the rest. 

Meats, especially non-organic, commercial meats are full of hormones, chemicals and fats (not always a bad thing...) and they are also full of 'animal proteins' which are the simplest building blocks of muscles. They are also 'high concentration' in both fats and calories.

So, by cutting out only a small amount of meat you reduce a large number of calories. 

Our general rule of thumb was:

Vegetables: 0-1 calorie per gram

Carbs: 3 calories per gram

Proteins: 6 calories per gram

Fats: 9 calories per gram

I have periods of time when I am high protein and low carb (most of my pouch's life) and then others where I am high carb and low protein (like recently)...I can see the difference in my body when I do the switch...I feel 'softer' on carbs than proteins but generally much more emotionally satisfied and have fewer sugar cravings (carbs are sugars)...it's a balancing act...

Sharon