A healthy does not necessarily promote weight loss. It's largely about calories, so keep your eye on that. A healthy 80 percent vegetarian diet will have benefits. By healthy, I mean rich in fresh vegetables and fruit, good fats from sources like olive oil, avocados, and nuts, and lean protein sources like fish (don't know if you're including fish), tofu, and beans.

Your question about protein is a good one. I've noticed that a lot of people trying to lose weight find that upping their protein consumption and lowering their carb consumption helps. I am one of those people. On the other hand, I recently ran across a vegetarian diet that seemed to be almost entirely carbs in the form of potatoes, and people on the chat boards on that site were losing weight and reversing and minimizing all kinds of health problems. (If I can find the link to the site I will send it to you.) So there are different views and approaches about this.

I question what you said about meat moving through the system more slowly than other foods and therefore eating less meat would promote weight loss. I don't think that is a scientifically sound idea.
Same with the idea that vegetables and fruit that are local are somehow better in terms of weight loss. Where weight loss is concerned, I don't think where your produce comes from makes a bit of difference. And I think frozen vegetables and fruit are fine. The point is to eat more vegetables and fruit prepared in healthy ways, not to get all hung up on where they come from or whether they are organic. Remember - organic does not mean pesticide free. It means different pesticides.

I think your idea of upping your intake of raw vegetables and fruits is a great one.

Oh, I don't mean to say that where my produce comes from means more weight loss. What I mean to say is that it seems it would have more nutrients if I got it locally because it would have been picked within a day or two, rather than being picked 10 days ago and having sat on a truck and being shipped to my store. As far as local produce, I am just thinking in terms of more nutrients meaning possible better health, not necessarily more weight loss.

What I mean about meat is that I have noticed if I eat, say, a steak for dinner, I can feel it in my stomach until the days dinner. I know that isn't necessarily the norm for most people. I checked digestion times on these things out of curiosity and where it takes fruits and vegetables 1-2 hours to digest, it takes meat 6-8 hours. Carrying that around in my system just doesn't seem ideal. I don't think that the meat digesting slowly would cause weight gain, just that it would slow down the process. If I ate the same steak, then ate veggies, the meat could slow down the digestion of the vegetables. The veggies aren't necessarily going to "go around" the meat.

I simply think about this because I have digestion problems that lead to bloating and discomfort, so my digestion is important. I'm no scientist, I just think that if I put 16 ounces of steak in my body and it sits there, that's an extra 16 ounces that sits in MY body (not necessarily everyone's, but it's about this time frame for me) for 24 hours. If I did that to myself on a daily basis, I'm carrying that same weight around all the time. If I cut that out and replaced it with veggies which digest and move things through my body easier, then I wouldn't be carrying that "extra weight" around that makes me feel full and bloated and uncomfortable.

Again, this is probably just me and my crazy body.

I do actually eat pretty well in general. These things I am thinking of doing would not be a great stretch for me. But, I do binge eat on occasion and I tend to overindulge in treats when I have them about. As far as calories in and calories out, I just figure if I overindulge on veggies, its a lot less calories than overindulging on ice cream or candy bars. :)

I think all your ideas are good but pick one thing or 2 to focus to help you focus on losing the 10 pounds. If you try and do to many changes you will get lost. At least I think so. I have about 13 - 15 lbs to lose. I am not a vegetarian but here my 4 stick to it rules that help the weight come off. I have lost 20 between Nov 10 and Feb 1, got a little side tracked in Feb and March (gaining 3 back) and now I am back on track with following my rules I know I will get to goal sometime in June.
1. ALWAYS journal food intake (this makes portion control automatically happen and when it doesn't it makes me get back "on the horse")
2. Exercise 5 - 6 days a week for 60 minutes or more
3. Avoid alcohol
4. Avoid restaurants (I have a once every 2 wks rule - it isn't hard and fast as vacations and company can change it but everytime I eat at restaurants I tend to gain wt due to all the sodium, fat and calories even when I try and pick healthier items - i.e. salad, non fried etc).
Hope this helps.

Dont worry so much abouth the food kmk is right try focus at one thing at time ,and like kmk said PORTION CONTROL is the key for any diet ,just remenber that if you exercise you need to consume enough calories ,meat is good source of protein you dont need it every day ,any kind of beans are good ,try to make your own foods these way you have control what to eat ,prepare the food for the week is save time good luck

I dont do portion control mainly because i have a huge appetite and when i do i feel hungrier and end up snacking on the wrong foods just to fill up. I also can't do vegetarian for me i think that meat is important to the system we are after all natural carnivores but i do agree that in general people eat too much it is not needed everyday. I have controlled the amounts and the types of fats that enter by body and also the breads and cereals that i put in my body. My weight loss has been slow (mainly my personal setbacks in the form of too much chocolate and junk) but i am losing and i know that i can live with my plan. Finding something that works for you as an individual is the key, we are all different and there are literally hundreds of idea's and scientific advice on weight loss and the fact is they all have some validation and work for someone but it is picking the one for you thats important. Obviously eating more fruits and veges have health benefits for all so this is a superb idea for everyone.

I wish you luck hun and hope that you get to your goal.