Vegetarians?

ElizabethNJ

I'm pretty new-ish to this. I've been transitioning to vegetarian recently. So far I love it, but don't know anyone who is like minded. Very few people I know are supportive of it. So I'm just looking here to see if there are any here.

hotcoffee692

Hi! I'm new too. I'm a long time vegetarian and I think it fits really well with a healthy MFP plan. I saw that there's a vegetarian/vegan group here, but I don't know how active it is. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/45-happy-herbivores. I just joined it - you should too!

Lanamasha55

I'm new as well! I've been vegetarian 13 days now. And honestly, I feel so much better and healthier. I thought I would be starving, but I am learning all these new recipes.

Things I've been considering:
- I've been eating a lot more beans than I ever have (homemade chili)
- I've been drinking ISOPURE strawberries and cream protein shake before/after working out (I do elliptical and yoga). I like ISOPURE because it has ZERO carbs (as opposed to most shakes) and 50 grams of protein.
- I do have morning star foods once in a while when I want a soy burger with soy bacon, but not too often because of how processed it is. They also have chicken nuggets and morning sausage links
- I use coconut oil instead of olive oil, just as another new change. Love it
- Add me and see my diary!


Also, check out these 75 reasons for being vegetarian. It really brings a new spin on not eating meat. I never knew that it is even healthier for our teeth.

http://www.nomeatathlete.com/75-ways-going-vegetarian-has-made-my-life-better/

ayanafuentes9

ElizabethNJ wrote: »

I'm pretty new-ish to this. I've been transitioning to vegetarian recently. So far I love it, but don't know anyone who is like minded. Very few people I know are supportive of it. So I'm just looking here to see if there are any here.

I recently started Vegan a month ago and love it.

ElizabethNJ

Thanks! I did check out the group. I'm with you on the morning star, veggie patch, etc brands. Every once in a while, but I'd rather just eat whole foods, plus I don't want to have too much of soy intake. i have a hard time digesting milk/cheese so I by unsweetened almond milk rather than soy milk.

annpatalexa

My boyfriend is vegetarian. I would call him more a junkfoodtarian. He's been doing it for over a decade and has gotten lazy and buys the veggie nuggets for multiple meals a week. I told him when we move in together (and honestly I'm doing this now) we're going to aim for real food vegetarian. Its tricky, but once you figure out a few good recipes you should be able to hit the ground running. Most of mine are soups or casseroles.

Kellyfitness128

I've been vegetarian off and on throughout my life and I just took a break from 8 months of being vegan..so, I know all about the lifestyle if you have any questions! I'm back to eating meat for right now, but I'm still fully supportive of vegetarianism and have lots of respect for those doing it. As the poster above me mentioned, it's easy to be vegetarian and still be unhealthy because there are plenty of junk/processed options.. try and stick to plant foods, whole grains, etc

erichegwer

I've been a vegetarian for over 30 years. But that doesn't mean it is healthy. At 260 pounds, I have a lot to loose, and am just beginning the journey.

Mostly when people hear vegetarian, they immediately think healthy, and let me tell you that is 100% not the case. I love chips, fries, basically anything cooked in oil and salted. That diet has made me fat. But it is vegetarian.

A lot of people confuse vegetarian with vegan, make sure you don't mix them up.

Friend me, my diet is open. We can do this together!

njitaliana

I'm not a vegetarian, but I eat vegetarian meals about twice a week. I was a vegan for a year. Couldn't do it any longer because it was too difficult with my allergies to wheat, corn and soy. I am knowledgeable about the lifestyle and have a ton of vegetarian/vegan recipes. Feel free to add me.

HappyAnna2014

I'm a very happy vegetarian, working hard to be completely vegan. I have noticed that when I eat vegan, I feel so much better. And over the years, I've developed a love for most vegetables. Feel free to add me if you would like.

opalsqueak007

I have been a vegetarian for over 25 years. I do cook meat as I cook for three other people - meat eaters (2 of whom don't live with me - a lot of work). I let myself go with my own nutrition and have got back on track this year. Add me if I can help!

Jenniferanne6

I've been a vegetarian for 8 years (veg-eversary on November 1st!) and I'll never go back. Feel free to add me as a friend. It's always good to have support.

Patttience

Hi I shouldn't call myself a vegetarian because i eat fish. But i am definitely supportive of it if you are doing it for ethical reasons. There's no reason to do it just for healthy as meat is not unhealthy and actually should make healthy eating easier.

Nevertheless, if you want to make your vegetarian lifestyle a success you must embrace chickpeas, lentils and beans. If you do not bother with these foods on a regular basis, you will probably end up getting fat on bread, pasta and rice.

On a vegetarian diet is easier to eat more vegies but as for everyone it still takes effort.

I strongly recommend you avoid buying lots of pretend meat products. These are processed foods and contain lots of sodium and other unhealthy ingredients. Processed food is processed food whether or not its made of sugar or soybeans.

Eat tofu by all means. Try tempeh but i can't stand it myself. But focus on learning how to cook lentils beans and chickpeas into delicious recipes from scratch. you don't have to invent these recipes yourself. the world's cuisines are chocks with wonderful recipes using these foods. Go and find out about them.

mohanj

I am vegetarian all my life.

ibanezhomer79

I've been a vegetarian for about 5 years. It's a decision I'm glad I made despite the funny looks from friends and family. "Why don't you like meat anymore?" They just don't get it. But that's ok. To each his own. I'm happy eating salads and pastas and drinking almond milk. And I know I'm doing right by my body.

ElizabethNJ

Wow. Thanks all. I love me some veggies (excepts beets and pickles...never beets and pickles), I make a mean vegetable lasagna and stuffed peppers! I'm not a big fan of those fake meat things, I don't think they taste good, I'd much rather chow on veggies and legumes when at home, so I guess I'm trying to eat a more plant-based whole foods. It's not for animal rights reasons, but just to eat healthier, and I do feel better for it. I'll opt for fish if there are no veggie options, but that's really on occasion. Since

Sarauk2sf

Lanamasha55 wrote: »

I'm new as well! I've been vegetarian 13 days now. And honestly, I feel so much better and healthier. I thought I would be starving, but I am learning all these new recipes.

Things I've been considering:
- I've been eating a lot more beans than I ever have (homemade chili)
- I've been drinking ISOPURE strawberries and cream protein shake before/after working out (I do elliptical and yoga). I like ISOPURE because it has ZERO carbs (as opposed to most shakes) and 50 grams of protein.
- I do have morning star foods once in a while when I want a soy burger with soy bacon, but not too often because of how processed it is. They also have chicken nuggets and morning sausage links
- I use coconut oil instead of olive oil, just as another new change. Love it
- Add me and see my diary!


Also, check out these 75 reasons for being vegetarian. It really brings a new spin on not eating meat. I never knew that it is even healthier for our teeth.

http://www.nomeatathlete.com/75-ways-going-vegetarian-has-made-my-life-better/

That is a really odd list of reasons for being a vegetarian

Also, I am not so sure about it being healthier for teeth. Its someone's personal list and just says that the dentist attributed it to more raw fruits and veggies - not being a vegetarian.

OP: just make sure your get enough complete protein and be careful of micros, particularly B12. Look at using nutritional yeast - its a complete protein and fortified with B12.

numinousnymph

i've been vegan since sept 2013

rbfdac

Pescatarian here (the only "meat" I eat is fish). I basically survive on beans, fish, and "faux" meat products- yes, they tend to be a little high in sodium, but moderation is key for me! I still eat eggs, milk, everything else. Just no meat. Feel free to add me if my diet sounds like something you would like to take a look at

ETA: I am vegetarian for semi-ethical reasons, but mostly because I think meat is absolutely disgusting and unappetizing.

segacs

I'm not a vegetarian and don't call myself one because I don't want to offend anyone who is actually a vegetarian for ethical reasons. But my diet often approximates that of a vegetarian since I eat very little meat, mostly because I find it unappetizing. I eat chicken and some fish 3-4 times a week, and otherwise only eat vegetarian. (Not vegan, though -- I like my dairy products way too much!) But no red meat at all, no pork, no lamb, no shellfish. Part of it is a holdover from growing up kosher (I'm not anymore, but some habits stick) and part of it is simply disliking meat.

Also, when I travel internationally, I often stick to a veggie diet since it's easier than trying to explain my weird food preferences in a foreign language.

I also really, really dislike "faux" meat that is meant to imitate the flavour, look or texture of real meat. So I don't eat any of that. I like my vegetarian food to look vegetarian.

ChescasFeather

I've been a vegetarian for nearly 10 years now and on/off vegan for 2-3 years feel free to add me and always love talking recipes xxx

Benjinkan

Been veggie for about 6 years now, feel free to add me fellow vegetablists

ccmzone2013

I'm far from a vegetarian ....but...

1) Squash - Amazing in The Oven
2) Tuna - Mix with LIGHT mayo, add some vegetables & put into a wrap
3) Kale & Spinach - Tastes amazing with Yogurt Ranch Dressing
4) Bananas - Should I say More?

List goes on & on!

#NeverGiveUp
200LBS Gone!

salembambi

I was vegetarian for 10 years and now vegan 3 years

grimendale

8 years veg now. Diary is open if you want to browse.

rebecca7436

Hi everybody I am new to my fitness pal I was tracking with another application but needed a change I have been a Vegetarian 1 year this month. I have food sensitivities so I don't drink cow’s milk and I eat almond cheese. I am finding that I need to be a healthier Vegetarian and I am moving towards being a Vegan. I am hoping I can get some great ideas.

lizzie6580

Hello all! I was pescetarian from May, 2003 - February, 2013 and have been vegetarian from February, 2013 - present. I would like to go fully vegan for animal rights reasons (I would say I am already 75% vegan), but am struggling with the stigmas attached with veganism. On the one hand, I am lucky in that I LOVE vegetables and always have (my mom jokes that I was the only kid who requested spinach at every dinner growing up). But, on the other hand, I am extremely busy and usually eat half of my meals on the run every week. As a result, I made poor choices all summer and was diagnosed as anemic late last month. Needless to say, my co-workers and friends who are critical of veganism saw this as proof that the it is a bad "diet." Honestly, I just think I was lazy and didn't eat the right foods. I ate a lot of "franken-foods" like fake meats, fake corn dogs, fake cheeses, etc. While I think those foods have a <limited> place in my diet (similar to other junk foods), I mistakenly used them to fill my diet, not supplement it. Since then, I have tried to do my best, but I realize that I just don't have all of the information I need. I have an appointment with a nutritionist tomorrow who specializes in vegan and vegetarian diets, so I am excited to see what she has to say. I signed up for this app/website because she wanted to see my diet the 5 days before we met. I have been tracking since Saturday, but only just now looked at the forums page. I was excited to see this string of comments. :-) Anyway, I would love to have people to bounce ideas off of, and/or discuss recipes and new foods. I am probably going to "friend request" everyone here because I think creating a community helps everyone feel more connected and accountable, but I truly understand if you aren't interested. I wish everyone all the best, and thank you all for your input and opinions. ~Elizabeth

cassiehworth280

Hi there, I'm a 30+ year happy vegetarian. I cook every day and like whole foods . I'm 42, live in the U.K. And have 22llbs to lose (I'm only 5'2", so every bit shows!!) I'd love to have some more buddies, please feel free to add me!

AliAlabamaBear

Hi everybody!

I've been a vegetarian 14 happy years and as of today became what I am calling 'date night vegan'... Basically I am totally vegan apart from special occasions. I would love to be complete vegan 24/7 - but I am weak! I love cheese! The idea of never eating cheese again... *shudders*

I have found MFP teaming with meat eaters and protein fiends, so its nice to see some veggies coming out of the woodwork!

I would love to have some veggie friends so feel free to add me :-)