Vegetarian/Vegan Foods

lhanks89

So I've been a vegetarian for about 5 years now, an I mostly used tofu and Morning Star products for my meat/protein substitute. But then yesterday at Trader Joes I discovered Tofurky Italian Sausage with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Basil and OHMIGOSH! They're AWESOME! Just one link (which is pretty big) is only 270 calories! Although there is 13 grams of fat... there's 29 grams of protein! And 8 grams of fiber!! It's crazy!

Now I'm on a mission to try anything veggie that I can get my hands on!

So what are your favorite vegetarian/vegan foods? Tried anything that you found that ended up surprising you?

What things have you tried that disappointed you?
(Like I tried Yves Meatless Salami and just did not like it at all)

Thanks!

aviduser

Those italian sausages are great with pasta and veggies.

Also tofurky cold-cuts are great on sandwiches.

santosateos

Hi!
i'm vegetarian too (for about the same time as you) and ive tried tofurky (ham), soyrizo, soysation cheese, "better than cream cheese" cream cheese the "chicken" nuggets from traedr joes, the taco "meat", the chicken and beef strips, and those sausages you talked about. I dont do too much tofu except i use it to make "cream cheese"

ohiogirl30

I LOVE, I mean LOVE the morningstar farms sausages!!! The maple in them is AWESOME!

byHISstrength

I am not a vegetarian, but would love to try those sausages.

Guess I need to add a visit to Trader Joe's on my "To do" list.

Thanks!

MrsGriffin67

Soyrizo is divine! Frieda's - Vegetarian Soyrizo Meatless Chorizo. I buy in the produce section of Walmart. Its so tasty. 80 calories per 2 oz serving, 4g fat, 3g fiber. I wrap it in an Ole' Xtreme Wellness Tortilla (71 cal, 2g fat, 12g fiber) with egg whites, spinach and salsa. Makes a great meal anytime of day.

katied9730

I love Quorn Turk'y Burgers

lausa22

I loveee Linda McCartney sausages! They're so nice, 100 cal per sausage.
Quorn is a good brand, quorn chicken nuggets are so yummy! And chicken strips (although they're pretty high is sodium)
I tried quorn sweet and sour chicken, it was horrible. I just don't like sweet and sour sauce.

lhanks89

I LOVE, I mean LOVE the morningstar farms sausages!!! The maple in them is AWESOME!

I LOVE that they sell them in a big box at Costco!

jgranger221

I'm personally not a big fan of the Tofurky sausages. My favorite "fake meats" are the Quorn products. Naked Chicken Cutlets are delicious and only 80 calories, plus 11 grams of protein. We also love the Boca Breakfast Links. None of our local grocery stores sell them any more, so when we travel to where my mom lives, we always stock up on as many boxes as possible! Be careful, though, because like all processed foods, the meat substitutes tend to be high in sodium.

cameralinds

I was Vegetarian for around four years, and started working meat back into my diet in January of this year. I can only handle the "white" meats though. My body for some reason has lost the ability (enzyme) to even TRY to digest red meat (obviously, that happens), but I never enjoyed red meat pre-veg...anyway, I digress.

I discovered the joys of hummus just last year. I'd eat it with anything. Carrots, pretzels, spinach leaves. Anyway, that's not what you're talking about...

As for meat substitute products,

I was slightly impressed with Smart Stuffers Chicken Cordon. It's not like the Morning Star grilled chicken pieces that are hard as brick. There's 21g protein per 2 stuffers too. I'm also in love with sushi...I didn't know that most of it was made with imitation crab meat. Even though I am no longer Vegetarian, I still eat the stuff by the plate when I can find it. (I live in a very MEAT MEAT MEAT focused environment, so I'm lucky to get it once a month). What else, let me think...

The brand is VEAT, and it's a Chicken Breast. It tastes like meat, cooks like it too, but does not taste quite like chicken. It's delicious if you season it up.

mamagooskie

We must have opposite taste buds because I can't eat tofurky franks I tried those tomato ones and the beer sausage ones (actually it was more a texture thing....I found them a bit funky but still can't eat them regardless)

I do like yves tofu dogs though good flavor and normal "meat" texture. I do like the Yves salami and turkey deli slices. I like Yves chicken nuggets (totally delicious one of my favorite foods) I love the yves chick n burgers and the sol cuisine original burger (this one is more like "beef" I think these are the best meatless burger that I have ever tried ) and they are only 109 calories, 2.8 fat, 290 sodium, 7 carb, 4 fiber and 15 protein.

one of my favorite new foods is the gardein chick'n scallopini (they are just like a chicken breast, I eat them with a side of rice/quinoa and some veggies, the flavor is soooo good and I buy them at walmart for like 5$ and you get 4 nice sized servings (100 cal, 4 fat, 330 sodium, 4 carb, 2 fiber and 12 protein)

OH AND I LOVE LOVE LOVE THE MEXICAN FLAVORED GROUND "BEEF' by Yves!!!!!!

milaxx

I was Vegetarian for around four years, and started working meat back into my diet in January of this year. I can only handle the "white" meats though. My body for some reason has lost the ability (enzyme) to even TRY to digest red meat (obviously, that happens), but I never enjoyed red meat pre-veg...anyway, I digress.

I discovered the joys of hummus just last year. I'd eat it with anything. Carrots, pretzels, spinach leaves. Anyway, that's not what you're talking about...

As for meat substitute products,

I was slightly impressed with Smart Stuffers Chicken Cordon. It's not like the Morning Star grilled chicken pieces that are hard as brick. There's 21g protein per 2 stuffers too. I'm also in love with sushi...I didn't know that most of it was made with imitation crab meat. Even though I am no longer Vegetarian, I still eat the stuff by the plate when I can find it. (I live in a very MEAT MEAT MEAT focused environment, so I'm lucky to get it once a month). What else, let me think...

The brand is VEAT, and it's a Chicken Breast. It tastes like meat, cooks like it too, but does not taste quite like chicken. It's delicious if you season it up.

It's imitation crab meat, but it is still fish. One reason I prefer people to state when they are pescatarian. Once gave a asked a coworker to grab me the vegetarian sushi for lunch. I was stuck in the office working on a deadline. They brought me this imitation crab meat junk. I' not only do not eat seafood, I am severely allergic.

djkymba

So Delicious Coconut Milk is the greatest thing on earth!!! I love that stuff!

cupcakecarnivore

Tempeh! It looked so weird to me....but I love it:) Especially the bacon flavored one on sandwhiches!

TenLaws

Kashi has a frozen meal called Mayan Harvest Bake!!! Soooo good.

sophia_b

Daiya cheese, coconut milk yogurt/milk/creamer, and tempeh are my favorite.

Madrow

I was a vegetarian (lacto-ovo) for 3 a month period about 6 years ago and want to return to it. I stopped because alternative foods weren't as affordable as they are now (and variety sucked because they weren't as available), and living with a bunch of carnivores meant that "my food" was an addition to the food budget. I love Morningstar and Boca brands, and Yves is great for sandwich "meats". The cheese sub to avoid would be the Veggie Shreds, Veggie Slices, etc. Like eating gooey plastic:noway:. Luckily, there are a lot more cheese alternatives out there than there were when I was working on veganism, including ones without casein (milk product added to some "fake" cheeses to add melting quality). I have yet to try these, so I can only speculate their awesomness.

Also, The book "Skinny *****" by Rory Fieldman (I think that's her last name) and Kim Somethingorother gives a great list of tried-and-truly yummy vegetarian/vegan alternatives.

Hope this helps and happy eating!

VeganGal84

As far as fake meats go, I'm a vegan Boca burger gal... But usually I'm into beans, beans, beans!!!! :-)

Thanks for the tip about the sausage, that does sound delicious.

rachelwebster

morningstar riblets! As a carnivore I never liked ribs but as a vegetarian I love these things.
I also like some of the Quorn products quite a bit though they are not vegan.

rubyrenga

I was a vegetarian for 10 years or so before going back to being a pescatarian (sp?). Anyway, I love the Morningstar sausage patties, tempeh, lightlife veggie ground beef, morningstar mock chicken strips, morningstar chik patties, and the list goes on! I just love most meat substitutes. Have to disagree with the Quorn lovers, though. I have found most of their stuff bland.

Punkedpoetess

While at this point I am not a vegetarian, I do not eat a lot of meat and lean towards vegetarian and vegan foods (it is my preferance). Some vegetarian and vegan proteins I have enjoyed in addition to Morningstar farms products (love the veggie sausages, riblets, crumbles, burgers, etc.) and tofu are the following:

* Beans (cheap and versatile, black beans are my favorite kind and I had kidney beans in my lunch today)
* Low fat cheese, good as a topping on things if you are not vegan.
* Eggs if you eat those
* Lentils are good in soup and in certain dishes.
* Tempeh, so versatile. I love to cook and season tempeh the way many people would use chicken. Works very well that way and this is a favorite of mine.
* Boca's crumbles are good in things also and are suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

I hope this helps you out some for starters on getting a variety of proteins regularly.

IndigoVA

Tofurky Italian sausages are one of my absolute favorite things too. And my kids actually love them too, which definitely helps! They also sell them at Whole Foods.

Aside from what's already been mentioned, I love Asmar's Vegan "Chicken" Salad. It's a local company (here in the DC metro area) so I don't know how far away they sell their stuff, but it's great!

auntbyte

I've just discovered Morningstar's new "Chicken" patties with tomato and avocado. Delicious!

Ditto their bbq ribs.

And I keep Tofurkey Hickory Smoked Deli slices in my fridge at all times. Great for club salads or sandwiches and at 30 cal each, I can indulge!

Quorn "chicken" patties stuffed with Gruyere cheese make me weak in the knees, but I'm on restriction from them now because of that (amazing) cheese.

If you have a Whole Foods nearby, they have "mock chicken salad" in their deli. It's awesome, but you can make your own with packages of Delight Soy "chicken" nuggets in their freezer case. I make it with Vegenaisse (which I now like better than Kraft Mayo). My carnivore friends eat this up!!

Daiya cheeses are the only vegan cheeses worth buying, in my opinion. They've just come out with "pepper jack". They melt well and get all gooey, like cheese is supposed to.

And Egg Beaters. Again, at 30 cal/serving, it's really good, all loaded up with veggies.

I like a BLT made with Morningstar Farm's bacon. The trick is to make sure it gets crispy; then it's yummy with a big, fat slice of heirloom tomato!

I've stauchly defended my vegetarian lifestyle of 11 years until recent bloodwork told me a quadruple bi-pass is dangerously near (and I have no insurance!) That, plus the fact that I'm extremely obese. So I have to lay off the dairy and eggs (cholesterol). It's why I'm here, soaking up all the great experiences/info that you kind folks have to say. Many thanks!

laurstarks

i stopped buying morningstar products because they're not organic and have a ton of chemicals (i like to pronounce what i'm eating). instead, i use quorn products. they're a bit more expensive, but they're all natural. their chicken patties are great, and i love the tenders. i usually throw them in a stirfry, but they're also good in stews and chili. they pretty much take on the flavor of whatever you cook them with, and have a similar consistency to chicken. this is important to me, because i hate the texture of tofu. too rubbery for my tastes.

check them out! http://www.quorn.us/About-Us

mamagooskie

Tempeh! It looked so weird to me....but I love it:) Especially the bacon flavored one on sandwhiches!

I love the bacon flavored tempeh!!! I put it in my cheese and tomato sandwiches, so delicious.

Does anyone know if these morningstar products are available in Canada?

Fitzgeraldguy

My FAVORITE product is Bob's Red Mill "High Protein TVP," it seriously goes with everything.

I was inside a Whole Foods in Los Angeles and they had it with lime, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and jalapenos and it was mind blowing!

By far, the best vegetarian product out there in my opinion. It comes in dry form and you cook it to your dish specifications.

Best.

tinasullens

I'm vegetarian as well and continue trying several "meatless" options. I really can't stand tofu but will eat it as long as it's in something where it can soak up flavors of something else. The TVP stuff is nasty!!! I've tried several brands and it makes me want to puke. I also can't stand the Morning Star Farms "crumbles"....I shudder just thinking of them. Most of their veggie burgers, including Boca brand are kinda weird too. However, I really like the MSF spicy black bean burgers. The Yves hotdogs are ok as long as you don't grill them - they stick to the grill. I really like the Quorn products...by far the BEST. And the Gardein crispy tenders are delish!!! But the hot wings are gross. I haven't tried any of their other products yet.

The only problem I can find with any of these products is that they are very high in sodium. I wish they'd find a way to produce them in a low-sodium version. I'm on a quest to start making my own meatless versions of some of my favorite foods but not doing very well. I will not give up!!! LOL!