Anyone Vegetarian or Vegan here?

[Zoesmama03]

I don't know if anyone is because I don't know any vegetarians/vegans that are trying to loose weight but I have decided to work towards a vegetarian diet. I have read a lot about it the past few days but still have a lot to learn.

 

[SetzKitten]

I've been a vegetarian for 12 years (27 years without red meat), and yes, you can be a vegetarian and be overweight. I was. I've lost 30 pounds by modifying my meals and eating smaller portions. I have 2 pounds to go to reach my goal, then I'll think about losing another 6. I cook meat for DH, but even he has cut back to 2 or 3 times a week. It's amazing how fast you get used to not having it. We eat a lot of brown rice, beans and salad.

 

[LuvTigger]

I'm not a vegetarian or vegan, but just wanted to echo what SetzKitten said about vegetarians being overweight.

I know someone who has been a vegetarian for a long time who was VERY overweight (she has since started seeing a dietician and is counting calories and has lost 50 pounds, and needs to lose more).

I think the problems she encountered was that she ate lots of refined foods (white bread, desserts, etc.). The other problem is she ate lots of cheese, very fattening, and canned good that have preservatives, sodium, etc.

So if you decide to go vegetarian, try to steer more towards whole grains like SetzKitten mentioned.

Good luck, let us know what happens!

 

[Jaimee]

I'm a vegetarian....I was from age 12-19 and then I stopped in college for some reason, and I started again 2 years ago. I'm ovo-lacto (I eat eggs and cheese) I found that over those 2 years I've lost 35lbs. I think that the biggest help was by becomming not eating meat I completely stopped eating fast food. I don't even get fries or anything because a lot of places use beef fat to fry them, also I avoid most soups and sauces in restaurants because alot of them are made with beef or chicken stock (even "vegetable soup") I do eat pretty healthy (usually only whole grain breads, brown rice..) I just joined Weight Watchers last week and I had my first weigh in this morning and I lost 1 lb. I think it is important to remember that when you cut out meat, to increase your vegetables. I found when I was younger I just upped my carbs and cheeses (lived on grilled cheese, spaghetti and mac and cheese) Now I'm more conscious and try to eat a lot of veggies and yogurt, fruit etc... Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[Zoesmama03]

Thanks ladies for the replies.

I have been reading and posting a tad on a vegetarian/vegan board and I can't believe the lists they make of vegan foods but they include things like fritos.

I'm definetlely looking towards a healthy vegetarian diet rich in fruits veggies and whole grains and of coure legumes for protein. I will be giving up eggs and cheese too and have got recommendations from a vegan friend on cheese substitutes such as nutritional yeast which I hear makes a nutty-cheesy taste to foods. That will be great help in getting meals that DH will eat. He has agreed to a vegetarian and will eat anything I make for him. I'm quite sure he will still eat meat on occasions when the arise such as at family's houses or restrauants.

 

[July]

I just wanted to wish you luck in your new venture.
I have a co-worker who is a vegatarian. She does
not like milk, but will eat cheese. She doesn't eat
eggs either. I know one of her all time favorite fast
food meals is the veggie sub at subway. She doesn't
like lettuce. She eats spinach in place of that. She use
to weigh almost 300 pounds and now she is down to
169. She still has a struggle with her weight. She does
alot of walking and working out. She has also had some
problems with being anemic. So be careful. Take some
vitamins..

July

 

[Lynn CC]

I'm a Low Carb vegan?.... (no red meat) Have been for 3 years now. There are so many great books and shows on the cooking network for whatever diet you may choose.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I personally just don't believe in the low carb diets. But if it motivates and helps a person watch what they eat go for it. I just have read a lot on nutrtion and the brain needs so much carbs to function correctly. Perhaps its a good start on learning which carbs are best and which ones to avoid.

Vegans would eat no meat or animal products(eggs, milk and other dairy) for that matter not just no red meat. I'm working on vegetarian first then will probably elimanate eggs and milk bothers my tummy so I already avoid that. Milk also bothers my daughters tummy so she will be on soy milk till age 2 then I will probably get her on to almond milk or rice milk.


I've done good so far ordered my salad at McDonalds and said no chicken. Had to smell DH's burgers though.

I had hot dog one day because we don't have hardly any food in house right now and I was really hungry. Also had tuna a few days ago but 2 meats in a week aint bad for first week.

Oh and I do take vitamins all the time have been since a few months before my daughter was born. Its great back up assurance for anyone.

 

[barbeml]

DH and I are not vegetarians, but we are striving to be what I call "vegephiles."

We don't eat much red meat by choice, but I am more focused on adding vegetables, fruits, grains, beans and fresh herbs to our diet than I am on cutting things out. (We do avoid cholesterol and refined carbs).

I play a game with myself to see how many different fruits and veggies I can indoporate into a meal. For example, last Saturday I made roasted eggplant spread and tomato bruschetta (used very thinly sliced sesame Italian bread, portion controlled), grilled chicken breast topped with a tomato avacado salsa (a South Beach recipe that I improved), a big tossed salad, corn on the cob and watermelon. I counted 14 veggies, fruits and herbs in the meal. Everything was delicious and my "meat and potatoes" BIL loved every bite.

 

[mommykatt]

Hi there! We are vegetarians and yup, I'm overweight. Its an easy thing to fall into if you don't get the right combination of things in your "meat free" diet. DD and I are lacto-ovo vegetarians and my DH is vegan. A book that I found really helpful when I switched to vegetarianism about 14 years ago is The Gradual Vegetarian. I don't know who its by (can't find my copy), but it laid out a plan to gradually cut out meats from your diet over the course of 6 - 8 weeks (I think). A book I now find helpful and refer to often is Healthy Cooking for Kids by Shelley Null. Most of the recipes are vegetarian versions of traditional-type foods. Books by her father, Gary Null are also great -- alot of juices (not my thing but DH does well with it) and grains. If you have a Wild Oats or similar store near you, they have a great little book in the bulk area of the store that tells you how to use every item they offer in the bulk bins. There are great recipes and ideas for grains, legumes, beans, flours, etc and best of all -- it free!
Congrats on your decision to at least try the veg life. We all feel healthier for it here and my 4 yo is rarely sick (thank goodness).

Hope this helps!

 

[Zoesmama03]

digging this back up after some time but wanted to thank you for the books recommendation I will check for it at the library.

I had gone cold turkey no meat but have had meat last week chicken last saturday and sausage on pizza. blah. I flet so bad. But back on track and got veggie burgers and veggie sausages which I love, love love the sausage. Both were Boca brand.
I made spaghetti with it last night and DH a big meat eater said it was a good sub.