We already know that going vegan (eliminating all animal products from your roster, including meat, poultry, fish, and dairy) can be good for your health if you do it right.

Thanks to the low-calorie, nutrient-dense nature of plant-based foods, you’ll up your fiber and nutrient intake. But will a vegan diet do your waistline a solid, too?

Science says yes. A 2016 study published in the Journal of General Medicine found that people who follow a vegan diet see better results than dieters on other weight-loss plans, losing an average of five pounds more in the short-term. Of course, there’s more to shedding pounds than breaking up with animal-based products.

Here’s how to decide if going vegan is your ticket to a slimmer future.

Vegan Weight-Loss Benefits

Ditching animal-based eats means eliminating cholesterol and many sources of saturated fat from your repertoire, which in itself can help promote a healthy body weight and body mass index (BMI), says New Jersey-based registered dietitian Alyssa Cohen.

Plus, relying on nutrient-dense whole foods automatically slashes your calorie intake—and not just because it involves ghosting the processed stuff. Plant-based foods contain a much higher concentration of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients than animal-based foods, but most of their weight comes from water, so you can enjoy a higher volume of grub without over-drafting your calories.

“Since you can only fit so much food in your gut at any meal, filling up on plant-based foods to satisfaction nearly always means consuming fewer calories than you would filling up on animal-based foods,” says Tom Hritz, Ph.D., R.D., clinical nutrition manager at Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Vegan foods are also very high in fiber, which can slow down the digestive process, helping you to feel fuller and go longer between meals without being hungry, he adds. And more fiber helps to promote bowel regularity, helping you beat the bloat.

Plus, the fact that eating more fruits and veggies keeps your blood sugar stable—ultimately nixing junk food cravings before they start—is just icing on the cake (which you won’t be tempted to eat). Visit sparkhealthmd and learn more about dietary healthy supplements like Resurge.