Any one changing to a mostly vegetarian diet?
botch74
Posts: 11 Member
I have been changing my diet over the last year to a mostly lacto ovo vegetarian diet. I am feeling much healthier in general.
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I did in college because dorm food is nasty, lol.
But seriously, I never LOVED meat like some people, and I don't miss it.
Like you, I do eat dairy and eggs, so getting protein isn't an issue. The main thing that has changed for me over ten years is that at first I did eat quite a bit of fake meat. Partially because I have learned to cook more now, partially because it is more expensive, and partially because we try not to eat much processed food, I now tend to make stuff like veggie burgers from scratch, and eat more straight beans/lentils/etc.0 -
Not me0
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Now nearly vegetarian. It's a big switch for me. I've been trying lackadaisical paleo. But my clothes were all shrinking!
I started noticing that most vegans I know are pretty lean.
I know the environmental effects of meat and the cruelty of commercial meat producers.
Then the kicker was a really bad foot pain that doctor said wasn't obviously but possibly gout.
So I have moved to a vegetarian diet. Striving to minimize grains (and focus on whole grains) and forgo most dairy other than plain organic notfat yogurt.
Past two weeks I had small amunts of chicken twice and fish once and crab once. Otherwise playing with veggies and beans and quinoa.
Feeling better overall.0 -
I started the month long vegan challenge on 1 November. 3 weeks in I am eating more, and lost 6 lbs. No exercise, literally hibernated in my apartment because the weathers so bad! I am so shocked I have lost anything at all....but yeah, I feel great, full of energy
I have not been religiously logging, but when I have I have logged been way over my calories too....0 -
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Nope. Meats are the most nutritionally dense foods out there and since they are all protein and fat, they are quite filling too.0
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I've never been a meat lover but grew up on it. I gave up meat 3 years ago. I don't miss it. I have lots of food issues so try to avoid dairy, eggs, gluten, walnuts, sunflower seeds and hazlenuts. I'm about to go through FODMAPS elimination diet to find out what other foods cause my digestive problems. But not eating meat has been great for making me feel better.0
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Now nearly vegetarian. It's a big switch for me. I've been trying lackadaisical paleo. But my clothes were all shrinking!
I started noticing that most vegans I know are pretty lean.
Most vegans I know are quite fit too. But based on the vegans and vegetarians I know (including one vegan who just recently switched from veganism), it has more to do with being generally into a very healthful lifestyle and doing lots of exercise (largely outdoorsy stuff, lots of biking) and not being able to eat lots of treat-like things due to no butter or cream or eggs or cheese. My vegetarian friends are no thinner than the rest of my circle on average.
Thus, I doubt it's the meat.
This is consistent with my own experience, as I ate vegetarian a lot when gaining weight and typically went vegetarian all Lent and never lost weight. Once I went entirely plant-based for Lent, though, and did lose weight without meaning to. I personally could not keep up that plant-based diet without a serious ethical commitment, however, which I don't have (although I respect those who do, despite not agreeing, as I think one can get eggs and dairy without using the industrial mega farming system if that's an issue and I don't think it's inherently cruel to raise chickens for eggs or cows for milk -- this is just stating my view for full disclosure, not trying to argue).
That said, although for me cutting out meat would make reducing calories while meeting my other goals more challenging, I definitely understand people doing it for ethical reasons. It's something I've given serious thought to.0 -
I don't get doing it to diet. Most vegetarians eat that way for ethical reasons.
Some of us eat that way because we don't like meat. I'm in the not liking meat camp.
I'm speaking as an ovo-lacto vegetarian, mind.
You can eat too many calories and make bad food choices no matter what you call yourself.
However, if you're happy eating this way, and paying attention to your nutrition, go for it.0 -
Yup, I'm 100% vegan, and it's the best feeling in the world. I have no problem getting protein, even when I'm lazy and have a day where I only eat fruit and baked potatoes my protein still reaches the limit. My skin is way clearer, I have a ton of energy without drinking coffee or tea, and my asthma has actually gotten better. Choosing not to eat meat is great, but eliminating dairy and eggs is even better for you. If you have any questions, please reply!0
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Yup, I'm 100% vegan, and it's the best feeling in the world. I have no problem getting protein, even when I'm lazy and have a day where I only eat fruit and baked potatoes my protein still reaches the limit. My skin is way clearer, I have a ton of energy without drinking coffee or tea, and my asthma has actually gotten better. Choosing not to eat meat is great, but eliminating dairy and eggs is even better for you. If you have any questions, please reply!
I have no problem with someone choosing to eat a vegan lifestyle...but really?? to the bolded??
What is your protein goal - like 10g per day?
I mean you'd have to eat like 15 baked potatoes, just to get to the bare minimum protein goal to optimally sustain body functions0 -
Yup, I'm 100% vegan, and it's the best feeling in the world. I have no problem getting protein, even when I'm lazy and have a day where I only eat fruit and baked potatoes my protein still reaches the limit. My skin is way clearer, I have a ton of energy without drinking coffee or tea, and my asthma has actually gotten better. Choosing not to eat meat is great, but eliminating dairy and eggs is even better for you. If you have any questions, please reply!
Are you hitting MFP's default protein goal on fruit and baked potatoes or did you custom set your goal? I have been vegan for 9 years and I do believe it's totally possible to meet protein needs without animal products. But I'm not sure how you're hitting the default goal on fruit and baked potatoes.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Yup, I'm 100% vegan, and it's the best feeling in the world. I have no problem getting protein, even when I'm lazy and have a day where I only eat fruit and baked potatoes my protein still reaches the limit. My skin is way clearer, I have a ton of energy without drinking coffee or tea, and my asthma has actually gotten better. Choosing not to eat meat is great, but eliminating dairy and eggs is even better for you. If you have any questions, please reply!
Are you hitting MFP's default protein goal on fruit and baked potatoes or did you custom set your goal? I have been vegan for 9 years and I do believe it's totally possible to meet protein needs without animal products. But I'm not sure how you're hitting the default goal on fruit and baked potatoes.
You'd be surprised, everything has protein.
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janejellyroll wrote: »Yup, I'm 100% vegan, and it's the best feeling in the world. I have no problem getting protein, even when I'm lazy and have a day where I only eat fruit and baked potatoes my protein still reaches the limit. My skin is way clearer, I have a ton of energy without drinking coffee or tea, and my asthma has actually gotten better. Choosing not to eat meat is great, but eliminating dairy and eggs is even better for you. If you have any questions, please reply!
Are you hitting MFP's default protein goal on fruit and baked potatoes or did you custom set your goal? I have been vegan for 9 years and I do believe it's totally possible to meet protein needs without animal products. But I'm not sure how you're hitting the default goal on fruit and baked potatoes.
You'd be surprised, everything has protein.
Yes..trace amounts. But certainly not enough to meet any sort of minimum required amount by eating only fruits and baked potatoes...unless you're eating a massive quantity of them as I said0 -
juggernaut1974 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Yup, I'm 100% vegan, and it's the best feeling in the world. I have no problem getting protein, even when I'm lazy and have a day where I only eat fruit and baked potatoes my protein still reaches the limit. My skin is way clearer, I have a ton of energy without drinking coffee or tea, and my asthma has actually gotten better. Choosing not to eat meat is great, but eliminating dairy and eggs is even better for you. If you have any questions, please reply!
Are you hitting MFP's default protein goal on fruit and baked potatoes or did you custom set your goal? I have been vegan for 9 years and I do believe it's totally possible to meet protein needs without animal products. But I'm not sure how you're hitting the default goal on fruit and baked potatoes.
You'd be surprised, everything has protein.
Yes..trace amounts. But certainly not enough to meet any sort of minimum required amount by eating only fruits and baked potatoes...unless you're eating a massive quantity of them as I said
Not to mention the fact that vegetable sources of protein are less bioavailable than animal sources.
And what's so bad about dairy and eggs?0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Yup, I'm 100% vegan, and it's the best feeling in the world. I have no problem getting protein, even when I'm lazy and have a day where I only eat fruit and baked potatoes my protein still reaches the limit. My skin is way clearer, I have a ton of energy without drinking coffee or tea, and my asthma has actually gotten better. Choosing not to eat meat is great, but eliminating dairy and eggs is even better for you. If you have any questions, please reply!
Are you hitting MFP's default protein goal on fruit and baked potatoes or did you custom set your goal? I have been vegan for 9 years and I do believe it's totally possible to meet protein needs without animal products. But I'm not sure how you're hitting the default goal on fruit and baked potatoes.
You'd be surprised, everything has protein.
Everything has protein, but that doesn't mean that eating fruit and baked potatoes will put you at your protein goal. Again, are you using the default goal for protein?0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Yup, I'm 100% vegan, and it's the best feeling in the world. I have no problem getting protein, even when I'm lazy and have a day where I only eat fruit and baked potatoes my protein still reaches the limit. My skin is way clearer, I have a ton of energy without drinking coffee or tea, and my asthma has actually gotten better. Choosing not to eat meat is great, but eliminating dairy and eggs is even better for you. If you have any questions, please reply!
Are you hitting MFP's default protein goal on fruit and baked potatoes or did you custom set your goal? I have been vegan for 9 years and I do believe it's totally possible to meet protein needs without animal products. But I'm not sure how you're hitting the default goal on fruit and baked potatoes.
You'd be surprised, everything has protein.
Everything has protein, but that doesn't mean that eating fruit and baked potatoes will put you at your protein goal. Again, are you using the default goal for protein?
I'm guessing the secret is loaded baked potatoes with cheese and vegetarian chili (legumes!) and fruit topped with lots of greek yogurt.0 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Yup, I'm 100% vegan, and it's the best feeling in the world. I have no problem getting protein, even when I'm lazy and have a day where I only eat fruit and baked potatoes my protein still reaches the limit. My skin is way clearer, I have a ton of energy without drinking coffee or tea, and my asthma has actually gotten better. Choosing not to eat meat is great, but eliminating dairy and eggs is even better for you. If you have any questions, please reply!
Are you hitting MFP's default protein goal on fruit and baked potatoes or did you custom set your goal? I have been vegan for 9 years and I do believe it's totally possible to meet protein needs without animal products. But I'm not sure how you're hitting the default goal on fruit and baked potatoes.
You'd be surprised, everything has protein.
Everything has protein, but that doesn't mean that eating fruit and baked potatoes will put you at your protein goal. Again, are you using the default goal for protein?
I'm guessing the secret is loaded baked potatoes with cheese and vegetarian chili (legumes!) and fruit topped with lots of greek yogurt.
Cheese & greek yogurt would not be vegan though0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Yup, I'm 100% vegan, and it's the best feeling in the world. I have no problem getting protein, even when I'm lazy and have a day where I only eat fruit and baked potatoes my protein still reaches the limit. My skin is way clearer, I have a ton of energy without drinking coffee or tea, and my asthma has actually gotten better. Choosing not to eat meat is great, but eliminating dairy and eggs is even better for you. If you have any questions, please reply!
Are you hitting MFP's default protein goal on fruit and baked potatoes or did you custom set your goal? I have been vegan for 9 years and I do believe it's totally possible to meet protein needs without animal products. But I'm not sure how you're hitting the default goal on fruit and baked potatoes.
You'd be surprised, everything has protein.
I eat meat almost daily, and still have trouble reaching my protein goals each day....I need to hang with you for a week!0 -
Ovo-lacto vegetarian for 41 years . . . gained weight that way, lost weight that way. Shrug.
I will say that a fair fraction of omnivores whose diaries I see don't eat enough veggies & fruit, if you believe the 5-9 servings/day rule, and a fair fraction of veg people (of all sub-types) don't get enough protein if you believe the roughly 0.6-0.8g/lb rule.0 -
I know overweight people who follow every single diet. You need to find a method that will enable you to reach your goals with your beliefs. Personally, I feel the only reason to eliminate foods is because you dont like them or have ethical issues. I am and will always be a big meat eater and it is too good to give up. I do, however, recognize other ways of eating.0
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Not for me.0
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janejellyroll wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Yup, I'm 100% vegan, and it's the best feeling in the world. I have no problem getting protein, even when I'm lazy and have a day where I only eat fruit and baked potatoes my protein still reaches the limit. My skin is way clearer, I have a ton of energy without drinking coffee or tea, and my asthma has actually gotten better. Choosing not to eat meat is great, but eliminating dairy and eggs is even better for you. If you have any questions, please reply!
Are you hitting MFP's default protein goal on fruit and baked potatoes or did you custom set your goal? I have been vegan for 9 years and I do believe it's totally possible to meet protein needs without animal products. But I'm not sure how you're hitting the default goal on fruit and baked potatoes.
You'd be surprised, everything has protein.
Everything has protein, but that doesn't mean that eating fruit and baked potatoes will put you at your protein goal. Again, are you using the default goal for protein?
Yeah, I'm not seeing how to hit anything but a ridiculously low protein target on that food.
Ovo-lacto veggie here. Who does get her protein. I supplement with protein products (mostly because they're convenient and I'm busy) to do it.0 -
My diet is mostly plant based and has always been (out of preference). Meat and chicken are an occasional occurrence for me. I only eat meat on holidays, when someone in the house happens to cook a dish with meat that I don't hate, or when I go out for burgers or kebabs. I eat chicken slightly more often, about twice a month or so.
Why am I telling you this? I'm a person who used to weigh more than 300 pounds (308 to be exact). I got there eating that way and I got out of there eating that way. Eating mostly vegetarian does not mean you will lose weight, if that's why you are doing it. You will still need to watch your calories. If on the other hand you have your own personal reasons to stop eating meat you're in for a world of exciting experimentation. Many people don't realize how amazing some vegetarian recipes taste. Trust me, the transition will not be as hard as you imagine it to be.0 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »Eating mostly vegetarian does not mean you will lose weight, if that's why you are doing it. You will still need to watch your calories. If on the other hand you have your own personal reasons to stop eating meat you're in for a world of exciting experimentation. Many people don't realize how amazing some vegetarian recipes taste. Trust me, the transition will not be as hard as you imagine it to be.
Yes, yes, yes.
While this is not a requirement of their way of eating, sadly many meat-eaters simply do not maximize their potential for fruit and (especially) vegetable enjoyment. (Ask most folks what they're having for dinner, and the answer is one word: The name of a type of meat. "Chicken" "Pork" "Steak".) Booorrrrring.
Not all omnivores eat/think this way, but many do. They're missing out. (And yes, I get that us veggies miss out on meat. I was happily married for decades to a hunter. (Widowed, not divorced, BTW, before someone formulates a witty response to this.))
And the meat eaters who (mysteriously to me) report on MFP that they're having difficulty getting enough protein could benefit from some vegetable adventuring, too, in the form of vegetable-protein foods. Good stuff.0 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »Eating mostly vegetarian does not mean you will lose weight, if that's why you are doing it. You will still need to watch your calories. If on the other hand you have your own personal reasons to stop eating meat you're in for a world of exciting experimentation. Many people don't realize how amazing some vegetarian recipes taste. Trust me, the transition will not be as hard as you imagine it to be.
Yes, yes, yes.
While this is not a requirement of their way of eating, sadly many meat-eaters simply do not maximize their potential for fruit and (especially) vegetable enjoyment. (Ask most folks what they're having for dinner, and the answer is one word: The name of a type of meat. "Chicken" "Pork" "Steak".) Booorrrrring.
Not all omnivores eat/think this way, but many do. They're missing out. (And yes, I get that us veggies miss out on meat. I was happily married for decades to a hunter. (Widowed, not divorced, BTW, before someone formulates a witty response to this.))
And the meat eaters who (mysteriously to me) report on MFP that they're having difficulty getting enough protein could benefit from some vegetable adventuring, too, in the form of vegetable-protein foods. Good stuff.
I believe that more pertains to the general population.... because generally those who are trying to lose weight will focus more on nutrient dense foods.
At my house, i am always looking to find delicious veggie recipes...0 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »Eating mostly vegetarian does not mean you will lose weight, if that's why you are doing it. You will still need to watch your calories. If on the other hand you have your own personal reasons to stop eating meat you're in for a world of exciting experimentation. Many people don't realize how amazing some vegetarian recipes taste. Trust me, the transition will not be as hard as you imagine it to be.
Yes, yes, yes.
While this is not a requirement of their way of eating, sadly many meat-eaters simply do not maximize their potential for fruit and (especially) vegetable enjoyment. (Ask most folks what they're having for dinner, and the answer is one word: The name of a type of meat. "Chicken" "Pork" "Steak".) Booorrrrring.
Not all omnivores eat/think this way, but many do. They're missing out. (And yes, I get that us veggies miss out on meat. I was happily married for decades to a hunter. (Widowed, not divorced, BTW, before someone formulates a witty response to this.))
And the meat eaters who (mysteriously to me) report on MFP that they're having difficulty getting enough protein could benefit from some vegetable adventuring, too, in the form of vegetable-protein foods. Good stuff.
I believe that more pertains to the general population.... because generally those who are trying to lose weight will focus more on nutrient dense foods.
At my house, i am always looking to find delicious veggie recipes...
Here too...and I have veggies in just about every meal....please pass on any good veggie recipe's! Always on the lookout for something new! xo0 -
I've been a lacto ovo vegetarian for almost 3 years. I simply do not like the taste of meat anymore. However, I have no problem being around it, other people cooking it, etc. I've walked through the meat section of the grocery store numerous times to avoid crowds on the other side of the store, haha. No problems there. I love recipes in general and talking about cooking whether it involves meat or not.
As far as protein. I find greek yogurt gives me a nice boost of protein in the morning and helps keep me fuller longer. Beans and lentils are another staple in my diet. I love making chili and soups which are very easy to add beans (protein and fiber) and almost any vegetable to. It also helps that it makes a ton and provides leftovers.0 -
I have been eating according to Dr. Joel Fuhrman's Eat to Live plan, as outlined in his book. It's easy enough guidelines-90% nutrient-dense food that grows in the ground and no more than 10%calories from other sources (animal products, processed foods, sugar, oil). It's not too hard to follow. I log every day and am consistently under 1600 cal. I lost 5 lbs the first week and leveled to 2-3. I am at a bmi of 32 so have 60 lb to lose, to give context.
I see from comments the concerns about getting enough protein. The RDAs for protein are based off of a government sponsored, corporate driven recommendation. Agribusiness, which really is dominated by meat and dairy, want us to eat as much of these products as possible, even though scientific studies show they have many detrimental effects on our health. Dr. Fuhrman suggests the need for protein is actually lower, about 40-60 g per day being adequate. A diet based in greens and beans easily gets to this. I get at least 40 g per day but not the 85 MFP sets for me. I ignore that.0 -
DocStar127 wrote: »I get at least 40 g per day but not the 85 MFP sets for me. I ignore that.
You could change your protein goal by going to goals and playing around with the percentage. With that said, more protein is not a bad thing, especially for someone who is trying to lose weight. The more muscle mass you manage to preserve the better your results will look, and for that protein is key. It's not that protein is hard to hit for vegetarian, it's just that it's much easier to do on a diet that includes meat. For vegetarians struggling to hit their protein goal I have one word. Lupins! They make a perfect snack and they have more than 20 grams of protein in a 200 calorie cup.
Edit: after checking it's actually 26 grams of protein per cup, and 193 calories.0
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