Evidence that vegetables — the more the merrier — are good for you is legion. And here’s more: Researchers who analyzed studies of people put on vegetarian or vegan diets found that they lost more than 7 pounds regardless of calorie counting or exercise plans.

The study published Thursday in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics comes as many people are trying to stick to — or already have abandoned — New Year’s plans to lose weight with the dozens and dozens of plans on the market.

The good news for such people is that they “don’t need to monitor portions or calories” and still can lose weight, said one of the researchers, Susan Levin, director of nutrition education at the Physicians Committee for Social Responsibility. “This is not about moderation, it’s about healthful choices.”

Dieters could approach their diet with this idea: “What is the lifestyle choice I can make that’s sustainable?” Levin said in a phone interview.