Any vegetarians or pseudo-vegetarians?

LAMCDylan

Hey everyone,

Before I got into calorie counting and serious weight loss I ate a diet that was high in veggies, fruits, seeds, some grains, legumes, seaweed, and occasionally some fish or poultry. However, I only ate fish/poultry about 2-3 times a week. What I discovered was I was not getting enough protein. So I switched to eating a lot more poultry and fish with the addition of goat milk yogurt. With this diet I am still struggling to get the high amount of protein I need. Unlike some people I care what goes into my body. I stay away from red meats, dairy, artificial sweeteners, added sugar, preservatives, peanuts, etc. And I try to eat whole foods or minimally processed foods.

I make it a point to eat one salad a day. I also have a morning smoothie where I add veggies. I have a higher value on internal health rather than aesthetics. Some people will do whatever it takes to look good but at the cost of having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, vitamin deficiencies, and other issues.

Anyway, now that this is out of the way I want to know how do some of you people get enough protein? Is it possible to have meatless days? Besides nuts, seeds, legumes, sprouts, and egg whites, what do you do? One thing that is driving me crazy is protein density. Apparently not all proteins are created equal. Non-meat sources usually are not as efficient. You need a higher amount of them. So it makes me question if I am getting the indicated protein on some labels or if some of them are not complete. I know quinoa is complete, egg whites as well. How about plant based protein powder? Who uses them? Is it a complete protein? Looking to learn from you.

Thanks

tkillion810

I struggled getting enough protein in each day while eating a strict vegan diet. My body doesn't tolerate soy or legumes, so my protein options were very limited. I then added back in eggs and fish. I still wasn't getting enough, so back in came chicken and turkey. I try to stay away from red meat still as it tends be inflammatory. I tried the vegan diet for performance/recovery purposes, but it just didn't work to my best advantage. My body performs better with a slightly higher protein intake. I use Vega Sports protein in my shakes, or Hemp Protein or hemp hearts. I eat about an egg a day, plus some sort of organic, grass fed chicken or turkey, and wild caught salmon or tilapia.

LAMCDylan

You sound a lot like me apart from the soy and legume intolerance. I use chia seeds, hemp seeds, quinoa, sprouts, and hemp proteins a lot. I tried to go the vegan route but I did not get enough protein. Ever since that I have been sort of a pseudo-vegetarian. I don't mind eating the eggs, fish, and poultry, just wondering if I could have meatless and eggless days and somehow get 200+ grams of protein a day. But I am thinking I am going to need a protein powder supplement.

RodaRose

Vegetarians who are eating beans, lentils, nuts (pecans, walnuts, etc), sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and vegetables like swiss chard, spinach, kale, broccoli, and brussel sprouts get enough protein Depending on the daily calorie limit, there might not be room in the plan to add rice or bread or anything else with minimum protein.
Some days I use this protein powder: Growing Naturals Organic Rice Protein Chocolate

This explains the misunderstanding about "complete proteins"
rawfoodexplained.com/proteins/complete-proteins.html

MouseFood

I'm a vegetarian and have been for 2 years. It's not difficult to get enough protein if you think outside the box and mix it up. Lots of lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, dairy products, eggs, brown rice, faux meat products or tufu, etc.

Laurend224

I am only finding it more difficult now because I'm limiting my calories. I have to be much more conscious of what I eat. Currently tweaking my diet and subbing out low protein items for higher ones. Seriously thinking about a protein powder as well. For ethical reasons, I don't ever see myself going back to eating meat/dairy. Even though my protein levels are low, it has not had a noticeable effect on my health/energy or endurance.

JoRocka

Unlike some people I care what goes into my body. I stay away from red meats, dairy, artificial sweeteners, added sugar, preservatives, peanuts, etc. And I try to eat whole foods or minimally processed foods.

this is so incredibly rude and uneducated.

Wish you the best of luck my friend- because with that attitude- you're going to have a fun time.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

goddessofawesome

LAMCDylan wrote: »

Hey everyone,

Before I got into calorie counting and serious weight loss I ate a diet that was high in veggies, fruits, seeds, some grains, legumes, seaweed, and occasionally some fish or poultry. However, I only ate fish/poultry about 2-3 times a week. What I discovered was I was not getting enough protein. So I switched to eating a lot more poultry and fish with the addition of goat milk yogurt. With this diet I am still struggling to get the high amount of protein I need. Unlike some people I care what goes into my body. I stay away from red meats, dairy, artificial sweeteners, added sugar, preservatives, peanuts, etc. And I try to eat whole foods or minimally processed foods.

I make it a point to eat one salad a day. I also have a morning smoothie where I add veggies. I have a higher value on internal health rather than aesthetics. Some people will do whatever it takes to look good but at the cost of having high cholesterol, high blood pressure, vitamin deficiencies, and other issues.

Anyway, now that this is out of the way I want to know how do some of you people get enough protein? Is it possible to have meatless days? Besides nuts, seeds, legumes, sprouts, and egg whites, what do you do? One thing that is driving me crazy is protein density. Apparently not all proteins are created equal. Non-meat sources usually are not as efficient. You need a higher amount of them. So it makes me question if I am getting the indicated protein on some labels or if some of them are not complete. I know quinoa is complete, egg whites as well. How about plant based protein powder? Who uses them? Is it a complete protein? Looking to learn from you.

Thanks

I find this whole post to be quite rude, with emphasis on the bolded parts.

I'd love to know who all these people are that "don't care" about what goes into their body and are "only about the aesthetics rather than health".

Consuming red meat and dairy doesn't make one unhealthy. You're views are the reason why so many vegetarians/vegans get a bad rap.

PRMinx

BFDeal wrote: »

pseudo-vegetarians

People who want the smug sense of superiority that comes from being a vegetarian but still want to eat meat?

melimomTARDIS

JoRocka wrote: »

Unlike some people I care what goes into my body. I stay away from red meats, dairy, artificial sweeteners, added sugar, preservatives, peanuts, etc. And I try to eat whole foods or minimally processed foods.

this is so incredibly rude and uneducated.

Wish you the best of luck my friend- because with that attitude- you're going to have a fun time.

I found that statement rude as well, and I AM a vegetarian. I care about what goes into my body as much as anyone else. I refuse to obsess about it however.

melimomTARDIS

also I eat salad because I like salad. Not because I making some AMAZING SACRIFICE.

PRMinx

melimomTARDIS wrote: »

also I eat salad because I like salad. Not because I making some AMAZING SACRIFICE.

LOL. Same. And I'm not a vegetarian. I love a good salad. I LOVE vegetables. But, apparently, I don't care about my body because I also eat beef and peanut butter.

adjadj83

Happy New Year. I use plant based protein powders in my smoothies. There are many awesome vegetable soups that you can throw beans into. When all else fails add egg whites to your diet for a great bioavailable protein source.

Therealobi1

Op can i ask how you gained your weight?
You probably didnt mean it, but if you re read your OP it doesnt come out pleasant at all. It actually reads like you are above the rest of us. Also nothing wrong with looking nice. Havent come across anyone who only care about looks. I mostly come across people who want to look good and good health comes as a bonus.

siljebergen

I found this article to be very informative and to the point, referring to studies, regarding vegan protein: http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/protein

gothomson

I’m a Veggie - and I mean a proper one I don’t eat any meat which includes fish or any sea life too. I do find getting enough protein can be difficult but not impossible. I have noticed that even some meat eaters aren’t getting enough either so it’s not just a veggie vegan thing.

I guess it’s the same for everyone - if you want more protein look at what you eat and increase it to include as many high sources of protein as you can. I do that; I do use Whey protein as I’m building my muscles up. Long answer short - just do some research and you'll find ways to increase your protein meat eater, veggie or vegan.

As for people that eat red meat not being healthy - well like anything it depends how much of it you eat, i wouldnt say being "a vegetarian" automatically makes you healthier. I know plenty of veggies who eat fast food and drink sugary drinks - they are veggies but not healthy ones - not by a country mile!

JoRocka

PRMinx wrote: »

melimomTARDIS wrote: »

also I eat salad because I like salad. Not because I making some AMAZING SACRIFICE.

LOL. Same. And I'm not a vegetarian. I love a good salad. I LOVE vegetables. But, apparently, I don't care about my body because I also eat beef and peanut butter.

LOL- I eat salad because I like salad's too- I just don't eat them all the time because you know- I like to eat lots of things.

But apparently I don't care about myself unlike other people who do.

OP- I wonder- did you order that sense of self righteousness- whole foods? trader joes? teva teas? I mean where can you get that... or did you just pick it up along the freeway when you were walking from one place to the other?

MarziPanda95

A vegetarian who eats poultry and fish? So... an omnivore, then?

gothomson

P.S. "pseudo-vegetarians" are just insulting to vegetarians; you either eat meat or you dont - end of.

PRMinx

MarziPanda95 wrote: »

A vegetarian who eats poultry and fish? So... an omnivore, then?

I believe the correct term is flexitarian. We learned this in a thread a few months back. It's the hipster way.

MarziPanda95

PRMinx wrote: »

MarziPanda95 wrote: »

A vegetarian who eats poultry and fish? So... an omnivore, then?

I believe the correct term is flexitarian. We learned this in a thread a few months back. It's the hipster way.

Oh jeez, I remember that thread. I think a better term is specialsnowflakeitarian.

Laurend224

MarziPanda95 wrote: »

A vegetarian who eats poultry and fish? So... an omnivore, then?

But, I only eat meat on Tuesdays!

dawnsnarks

MarziPanda95 wrote: »

PRMinx wrote: »

MarziPanda95 wrote: »

A vegetarian who eats poultry and fish? So... an omnivore, then?

I believe the correct term is flexitarian. We learned this in a thread a few months back. It's the hipster way.

Oh jeez, I remember that thread. I think a better term is specialsnowflakeitarian.

Giggle snort

zenaxe

Although this detours somewhat from the OP, and given that there is some discussion about this, I'm wondering where I land in terms of categories and labels. I love meat and ate it freely all my life but over the past three years have only been eating fish and eggs in terms of meat etc. That said, it's not exactly vegetarian and not vegan....so I guess it just is what it is without label. Very liberating.

Laurend224

zenaxe wrote: »

Although this detours somewhat from the OP, and given that there is some discussion about this, I'm wondering where I land in terms of categories and labels. I love meat and ate it freely all my life but over the past three years have only been eating fish and eggs in terms of meat etc. That said, it's not exactly vegetarian and not vegan....so I guess it just is what it is without label. Very liberating.

Ovo-pescatarian?

LeslieB042812

Yeah, pretty sure if you're asking if it's "possible to have meatless days" then you're not a vegetarian...... I had a meatless 5 years, and as some have pointed out, some of those years were healthy and some weren't--just like some of my "meatful" years have been healthy and some haven't been. It is harder to get enough protein without meat but not impossible and there are some great vegan protein powders out there that should help.

JoRocka

zenaxe wrote: »

Although this detours somewhat from the OP, and given that there is some discussion about this, I'm wondering where I land in terms of categories and labels. I love meat and ate it freely all my life but over the past three years have only been eating fish and eggs in terms of meat etc. That said, it's not exactly vegetarian and not vegan....so I guess it just is what it is without label. Very liberating.

You learned a valuable lesson it seems.... you don't need a label.

You just eat food's you like and make you happy and are conducive to your lifestyle.

period.
end of story.

Therealobi1

JoRocka wrote: »

zenaxe wrote: »

Although this detours somewhat from the OP, and given that there is some discussion about this, I'm wondering where I land in terms of categories and labels. I love meat and ate it freely all my life but over the past three years have only been eating fish and eggs in terms of meat etc. That said, it's not exactly vegetarian and not vegan....so I guess it just is what it is without label. Very liberating.

You learned a valuable lesson it seems.... you don't need a label.

You just eat food's you like and make you happy and are conducive to your lifestyle.

period.
end of story.

agreed and the feeling of superiority of eating one way or another is not necessary

zenaxe

Agreed.

Jams009

I'll assume the rudeness was unintentional.

I wouldn't worry about 'complete proteins'. The variance in protein quality between most sources is low enough to be negligible. Unless you are only ever eating one source you will likely be getting enough of all the amino acids.

I find it really easy to get enough protein as a veggie; check my diary if you want some ideas; I eat around 130g a day.

For protein density; seitan, tofu, tempeh, black bean pasta, egg whites & protein shakes are among the best.