Living with a strict vegan

anelisa0514
anelisa0514 Posts: 1 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi guys,

So, I'm currently staying at my sister's apartment until August and she's a very strict vegan (will not let me bring any animal products into the house). I myself eat everything so I've been eating out much more than usual. I've noticed that I have been gaining weight even though I have been eating normal amounts for me and have actually been exercising more - I'm thinking this has to do with the fact that I'm eating out a lot. Has anyone had a similar experience and have any tips on how to handle this? I still have months to go here and really don't want to have my weight get out of control but it seems like every time I step on the scale, the little numbers keep going up.

Thanks!

Replies

  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    Move out.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I have a super easy tip. Eat half your restaurant portion. I was going to say bring the leftovers home but that won't work.

    Restaurant meals typically are about double the calories than what you need.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Couple options jump to mind:

    1. Does your sister not want any meat in the house, period? Or is it perhaps the smell of meat cooking that would bother her? In this case, perhaps you could grill outside? Or do bring home half of a restaurant portion to eat later.

    2. Is she a healthy vegan, by which I mean her diet revolves around foods like legumes and seitan, or is she an Oreos vegan? If she's a healthy vegan, how about you eat what she eats?

    I'm an omnivore, and lived from three years in vegetarian yoga communities. The second one had several vegan cooks, and thus plenty of vegan meals. At the first place, I ate what what served, and would supplement with some hard boiled eggs and tuna from time to time. At the second place, I eventually lived someplace where I could cook, and grilled outside. I'd also go to friends' places to cook. I also dated a cook and a chef :D and became good friends with another chef.

  • Traveler120
    Traveler120 Posts: 712 Member
    It's simple. If you're gaining weight from eating out, stop eating out or make better choices when you do. Or eat at home. You won't die from not eating meat and your muscles won't fall off. Lentils, beans, tofu etc are all great plant sources of protein.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    lemonlionheart wrote: »
    If you eat everything, why can't you cook and eat vegan meals?

    This. Eat at home more.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Eat mostly vegan. Get things you miss, or which provide extra protein, but that are not going to dramatically increase your calories when eating out, like yoghurt, ice cream, lean meat and fish etc.
  • Ioras88
    Ioras88 Posts: 57 Member
    Dumb question: Do you have any friends in the area who could help you out? It might be weird to just invite yourself over but you might get them to cook together with you and share a meal if you try to explain or problem to them.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Is she a good cook?
    Leave your leather shoes and belt outside the door. Eat sister's vegan food.
    Sister will likely be wiling to help you track and log her food.
    You can learn to make a few meals yourself.
    After August you can eat animals at every meal. For now, remind yourself that this is temporary. :)
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    aggelikik wrote: »
    Eat mostly vegan. Get things you miss, or which provide extra protein, but that are not going to dramatically increase your calories when eating out, like yoghurt, ice cream, lean meat and fish etc.
    I agree about grabbing such things as a small ice cream or a pizza slice once in a while when it fits into your calorie day.

  • maasha81
    maasha81 Posts: 733 Member
    Eat some vegan food ...there are quite a few tasty options. Get your protein on the outside but choose wisely.
  • yogicarl
    yogicarl Posts: 1,260 Member
    Go vegan. Problem solved.
  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    I'm an omnivore, but eat vegetarian or vegan an average of 4 to 5 days a week just because I like it.

    Eat vegan more; eat out less! (And when you do eat out, split a meat-based entrée with a friend so you eat a smaller portion and have no leftovers.)
  • FatMoojor
    FatMoojor Posts: 483 Member
    yogicarl wrote: »
    Go vegan. Problem solved.

    This. You are not going to die if you don't eat your normal diet for a few months. get researching, find some vegan meals you like the sound of and try them.

    If you eat everything then there shouldn't be any problem.
  • Hell_Flower
    Hell_Flower Posts: 348 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    lemonlionheart wrote: »
    If you eat everything, why can't you cook and eat vegan meals?

    This. Eat at home more.

    Basically.

    Won't kill you pal, whatcha scared of? She's letting you stay with her, give her food a bash, you might even like it.

  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Yep I'd eat at home too, besides I'm guessing you're not home for every meal, so you can get your meat fix when you actually do eat out (and then pick a place that has grilled steak or something).
  • johnnylakis
    johnnylakis Posts: 812 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »
    I have a super easy tip. Eat half your restaurant portion.
    Ask the restaurant if the offer half portions. Most will gladly do it!

  • futuresize8
    futuresize8 Posts: 476 Member
    August isn't too far away...might be fun to try eating like your sister does some of the time and see if there are any benefits to that lifestyle! Even if you do it only 50% of the time, you might find that you like some of the principles of a plant-based food plan.
  • DaddieCat
    DaddieCat Posts: 3,643 Member
    Yup... best advice here has been stated several times. Take some time, expand your palette, learn to like some new foods, and supplement your diet with your wanted, lacking items outside the home. So, eat out meat, cheese, dairy, whatever... just do it in a controlled fashion and stay in your overall calorie goals. If you eat 80% at "home" and 20% out, you could still maintain your omni status, eat what you want, and not offend the hosts.

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