over weight vegetarian thinking about eating meat

Shanz78

I started being vegetarian over 3 years ago and got on depo. i gained 40lbs in about three months, it happened so fast i didn't really notice till it was to late. i stayed on depo for a year and thought once i got off the shot the weight would come off, but it didn't. i cant seem to lose weight this is the heaviest i ever been. I've never had this much difficulty losing weight. I've read a lot about carbs have a lot to do with making people over weight. i try not to eat them but most vegetarian food is packed with carbs. even thou i don't really want to quit being vegetarian i cant help but feel like my diet is making it difficult to lose weight. are there any other vegetarians, or former veges out there that have experienced this? any input would be much appreciated.

jrich6

Have you considered becoming a Pescatarian? It would you give a lot of options for lean proteins. Do you do eggs?

puggleperson

Have you considered becoming a Pescatarian? It would you give a lot of options for lean proteins. Do you do eggs?

what is that?

AggieCass09

i have no problem with carbs even though i'm a vegetarian and i eat 120+ g of protein each day.

neither the shot nor vegetarianism are solely causing the weight gain....you must consider activity level versus the volume of food you are consuming (unless you have a medical problem in which case you should talk to your doctor). Having a public diary would be very helpful!

Kristhin

I was vegetarian once years ago--eggs but no fish. I gained weight so after about 6 months I quit.

Then a couple years later I decided to try again--eggs and fish this time. I gained more weight so I quit again, after about 6 months.

Now, years later, I'm vegan. I've been vegan for 11 months. I've lost 20 lbs.

chenna14

I am in no way a vegtetarian, but I was actually switching to being one because of being overweight... I'm not sure adding meat will help. If you get a chance try looking up Whole Food/Plant based diets. There are a lot of ways to incorperate protein into your lifestyle without it being meat. If you get a chance you should watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead... best documentary about juicing and eating healthy I have ever seen!

CollegeGirl19

Have you considered becoming a Pescatarian? It would you give a lot of options for lean proteins. Do you do eggs?

what is that?

Pescatarians would eat fish and fish products, but no poultry or red meat.

dcmat

I have lost weight, and keeping it off, and now eating less meat. I don't think that meat is the issue

GemmieNoWobbles

The fish idea is a good one. A can of tuna has tons of protein in it which will fill you up and you wont need to eat so many carbs to stay full. There are loads of great fish options, could open things up a bit more for you and ween you off the carbs without becoming a meat eater. <<fish are stupid anyways>> :laugh:

NoAdditives

I gained a lot of weight while I was vegetarian because most forms of veg. protein are high in carbs. It's almost impossible to get the amount of protein you need without going crazy on carbs. And since carbs are only used by the body for energy if you eat more than your body needs at that time the excess get stored as fat. If you don't want to eat meat (I don't blame you!) you don't have to. You can supplement with whey protein shakes, eggs, and other things that aren't high in carbs. Stay away from veg. "meat" products though, they're highly processed and aren't good for you.

tcarnes72

The depo shot is a hard shot to shake! My wife took it for a short time and struggled dumping the shot from her system. I did some research on the internet and one of the most important things you can do to dump it is to do a detox. There are several detox's out there that can help. Do some research and see which one works best for you. I don't know that it's the carbs causing the problem or the shot just a suggestion?? Some other people might have some other solutions. I've done low carb it works but you can do it on a vegan diet as well. Just have to be picky and search for some good low carb recipes. I don't know the extent of your vegetarian lifestyle if it's no animal by products as well like - Cheese, Milk, and the like.

rml_16

I've never had a problem losing and I'm veg. My guess is you're eating too much or the Depo hasn't cleared your system. It's bad news stuff.

I also have no problem getting my protein without protein shakes.

Missylydia

I have been vegan for 5 days and lost 3lb! If you fill up on good carbs loaded with fibre and eat plenty plant based protein then you're good.

sambailey6

I would increase my proteins via protein rich veggies (you can find a few good detail listings of higher protein veggies like beans, some leafy greens, etc on google).

Also, check the types of veggies you're eating. Starchy foods (rice, potatoes, corn) are going to be higher in carbs than other veggies. Another area that you can get quite a few calories without even realizing it is fruits and nuts (both are awesome and have a lot of benefits so you need them, but limiting intake may help).

I would utilize the color rule when fixing your meals - you want a lot of color on your plate. You can be vegiterian without being healthy.

Switching to meat abruptly after being vegiterian for a while can be a big shock to the system. If you just really want to add it back into your diet, one of the best rules I heard was the "fewer legs it has, the better it is for you". Limit your pork and red meat, stick to chicken and fish.

I hope this helps some and good luck!!!

misslouisee

Hi, saw your post and thought I should comment you.

I was a vegetarian for 12 years, I started eating meat just over a year ago. I've never looked back, I love chicken, fish, all meats actually but learn to have some in moderation but feel my diet is more varied and healthier as a result. Of course, you could make these changes whilst being vegetarian but I found my diet was bad, consisting of a lot of processed veggie alternatives, carbs and cheese!

In my time being a veggie I had maintained weight, lost and put on so I'm not putting weight gain down to this in my case, more poor diet in general and little exercise.

The main difference between you and me, I feel, is that I wanted to eat meat again, I had thought about it for many years beforehand and talked with family and friends about adding it back to my diet. It sounds as if you don't really want to, in which case I would maybe suggest it isn't best for you right now?

Personally I have loved eating meat again, it has radically improved my life. I don't feel excluded at family gathering or eating out, I'm not having to be a nuisance and don't feel guilty telling people I don't eat certain things. I feel I have more energy and have loved exercising 3-4 times a week. This is just be experience, but it was a good one!
When I started eating meat I was mainly concerned about people asking me tons of questions and putting pressure on me about "not caring for animals anymore", etc. I started without telling people, eating simple things like tasting a bit of fish finger, and increased more into my diet. I told myself I could always stop eating it again whenever I want and it's not about tallying up how many years you've been veggie or vegan. In reality, nobody was mean. yeah they did ask questions but in a nice way.

Sorry for rambling lol x

KayakAngel

I'm a vegetarian, and at first, it was a little difficult staying under my carb limit. But you have to focus on the fruits and vegetables more than breads and rice to keep the carbs lower. I've been doing great eating a lot of veggie/tofu stir fry with brown rice (rice in limited quantities, of course), roasted veggies, veggie/hummus wraps, and omlettes. You really don't have to give up being a vegetarian to eat healthy and lose weight. I'm not model of clean eating, but I do stay vegetarian and my diary is open. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

ninerbuff

come to the dark side.

KLo924

Three decent carb-concous vegetarian cookbooks to consider:
Appetite for Reduction (I cannot recommend this enough!): http://www.amazon.com/Appetite-Reduction-Filling-Low-Fat-Recipes/dp/1600940498

Carb-Concious Vegetarian: http://www.amazon.com/Carb-Conscious-Vegetarian-Delicious-Lifestyle/dp/1594861234/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315858965&sr=1-1

The New Glucose Revolution Low-GI Vegetarian Cookbook: http://www.amazon.com/New-Glucose-Revolution-Vegetarian-Cookbook/dp/156924278X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315859003&sr=1-1

Good luck!

Jade_Butterfly

Three decent carb-concous vegetarian cookbooks to consider:
Appetite for Reduction (I cannot recommend this enough!): http://www.amazon.com/Appetite-Reduction-Filling-Low-Fat-Recipes/dp/1600940498

Carb-Concious Vegetarian: http://www.amazon.com/Carb-Conscious-Vegetarian-Delicious-Lifestyle/dp/1594861234/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315858965&sr=1-1

The New Glucose Revolution Low-GI Vegetarian Cookbook: http://www.amazon.com/New-Glucose-Revolution-Vegetarian-Cookbook/dp/156924278X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315859003&sr=1-1

Good luck!

Thank you for the resources. . Much appreciated.

BrewerGeorge

I'm not a vegetarian, but one of my daughters is so I did a lot of research on it, and I've been cooking for her for a few years.

It sounds like you might be on the dreaded "beige diet" where you're mainly eating things that are white, beige or brown - mostly grain-based foods - often with cheese and peanut butter as the main/only protein source. This tends to be what happens when young people decide (for emotional reasons) that they're not going to eat meat anymore and just ... stop ... without doing any research or planning. These are the pasta-every-day kids.

If you want to be a healthy vegetarian, you should be eating a lot of color - fruits and vegetables - lots of beans and nuts, and very little grains and white starches. Throw in a bit of egg or cheese every couple of days for essential amino acids and to round out your calories because those first things don't tend to be very calorie dense. It's sort of like a primal diet except that you're getting the big chunk of fats and protein from nuts, beans and eggs.

tlee85

i'm a vegetarian. i have no trouble getting all the protein i need and i almost never get anywhere close to my carb limit. i eat lots of tempeh, beans, nuts, and produce. i don't think you need to start eating meats again if you don't want to.

dls06

What do you eat that you feel is causing you to gain. Are you a strict Vegetarian? If so maybe something else is going on.
Have you talked to the Doctor?

dls06

I'm not a vegetarian, but one of my daughters is so I did a lot of research on it, and I've been cooking for her for a few years.

It sounds like you might be on the dreaded "beige diet" where you're mainly eating things that are white, beige or brown - mostly grain-based foods - often with cheese and peanut butter as the main/only protein source. This tends to be what happens when young people decide (for emotional reasons) that they're not going to eat meat anymore and just ... stop ... without doing any research or planning. These are the pasta-every-day kids.

If you want to be a healthy vegetarian, you should be eating a lot of color - fruits and vegetables - lots of beans and nuts, and very little grains and white starches. Throw in a bit of egg or cheese every couple of days for essential amino acids and to round out your calories because those first things don't tend to be very calorie dense. It's sort of like a primal diet except that you're getting the big chunk of fats and protein from nuts, beans and eggs.

Listen to him. I never understood how a vegetarian could be fat. But now that you say it it's people who eat only pizza and pasta then call themselves vegetarians?

rissuhbissuh

I'm not a vegetarian, but one of my daughters is so I did a lot of research on it, and I've been cooking for her for a few years.

It sounds like you might be on the dreaded "beige diet" where you're mainly eating things that are white, beige or brown - mostly grain-based foods - often with cheese and peanut butter as the main/only protein source. This tends to be what happens when young people decide (for emotional reasons) that they're not going to eat meat anymore and just ... stop ... without doing any research or planning. These are the pasta-every-day kids.

If you want to be a healthy vegetarian, you should be eating a lot of color - fruits and vegetables - lots of beans and nuts, and very little grains and white starches. Throw in a bit of egg or cheese every couple of days for essential amino acids and to round out your calories because those first things don't tend to be very calorie dense. It's sort of like a primal diet except that you're getting the big chunk of fats and protein from nuts, beans and eggs.

I totally agree with what you just said. I have been vegetarian for 5 years and the only thing that made me gain was poor decisions in unhealthy foods. Even though someone is vegetarian does not necessarily mean they are at all eating healthy. Try new fruits, vegetables, and learn about what foods you should eat sparingly. Also, make sure that you are eating healthy serving sizes and eating until you feel satisfied not full. It all comes with time and is always great to constantly learn about foods and diet. Good luck with whatever you decide to do

nkziv

It's not as much about carbs as it is calories! Calories are what makes you fat, not carbohydrates. If I were you, I would eat more lentils and beans, and less bread and pasta. Eat whole grains like quinoa, barley, millet, and brown rice instead of other carbohydrates because they are healthier and generally have more protein. Also be careful about cereal portion sizes--that's a tricky one for me too!

In short, more beans, less bread, fewer calories, you'll lose weight.

maddymama

I second the Appetite for Reduction cookbook.......... everything I've tried in there is delicious and healthy........ and I've tried many, many,many of the recipes. :-)

it_be_asin

My partner is a vegetarian and is overweight, but he does eat a lot of sugar, fat and carbs. All he eats if given the chance is potatos (preferably fried), lollies, chocolate, curries, pizza and pastas/risottos (often with creamy sauces). He only eats vegetables if pushed, and rarely eats fruit. I know it's up to him to decide what he eats, so I leave him to it mostly.

The point is, you can eat a very high calorie vegetarian diet.

I am also vegetarian, and am maintaining on 1700-1800 calories.

SueInAz

I've known a few "vegetarians" who actually ate very few vegetables, which to me has always seemed to be a contradiction. :laugh: They ate a lot of junk food. Sure Fritos and potato chips are vegetarian, but you can't live on them!

If you want to remain a vegetarian, do it. You've gotten a lot of good information already. Your job is now going to be figuring out which items you can easily find, which you like, and whether or not it still works for you. Good luck!

emma1488

It's not as much about carbs as it is calories! Calories are what makes you fat, not carbohydrates. If I were you, I would eat more lentils and beans, and less bread and pasta. Eat whole grains like quinoa, barley, millet, and brown rice instead of other carbohydrates because they are healthier and generally have more protein. Also be careful about cereal portion sizes--that's a tricky one for me too!

In short, more beans, less bread, fewer calories, you'll lose weight.

I completely agree here!

As many people have suggested just because you are vegetarian doesn't mean you are healthy or are even eating vegetables! Since I've been 99% vegan for the last 8 months I haven't been healthier and have started losing weight in a really healthy and happy way. But I have done this by eating a **** LOAD of vegetables. Someone mentioned the 'beige vegetarian diet', I hadn't heard about this before, but what an excellent name! It's very easy to get stuck eating plenty of processed grains, potatoes, pasta etc. You really need to amp up the amount of fruit and veggies you are eating. Avoid anything 'white'. White bread, white rice, pasta and switch it to wholegrain versions. These are full of fibre, which will fill you up without stacking on the weight.

Someone also mentioned a detox for your shot (I have no idea what that shot is or what its for....), I have embarked on a 14 day green smoothie challenge. I'm at day 3 and have already started to see results. I've broken through my weight plateau as well as feeling more energised. I am also eating waaaaay more fruit than I ever would and know that it is doing my body good. Here is the website if you or anyone else is interested: http://www.greensmoothiechallenge.com/

Shanz78

Thanks everyone! its all been very helpful!

veganbaum

Hi Shanz - I am not going to read all the replies (I'm sure they're good, just limited in time here) so I may be repeating. If being vegetarian is important to you, going back will not make you feel good emotionally or mentally (I've been there). I am currently vegan. To help with your weight I would suggest:

1. Cut down or out the dairy, especially cheese
2. Focus your meals on veggies - half your plate, at least. Then make the other half or less some WHOLE grains like brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, barley, etc, and a legume. I try to cook one batch of lentils a week that lasts three to four days - they're quick and loaded with goodness. Then other separate sources of protein for me (all foods have protein, I'm talking about the "separate" protein in one to two meals a day) will come from tempeh or another bean. I like lentils because they're quick and I can cook them if I have forgotten to soak another bean, but I also love cooking a big pot of beans because I can throw them in a crock pot and leave them alone and then they're done. Then they can be added to a meal with veggies, over rice, in a burrito, whatever. And I always have brown rice in the fridge, though my roommate tends to eat way more of it than I do.
3. Find some good go-to cookbooks. I like Accidental Vegan for its simplicity. I also like The Kind Diet, Color Me Vegan, McDougall's Quick and Easy Cookbook, Appetite for Reduction, and Vegan Soups and Hearty Stews. I think the easiest ones are Accidental Vegan, McDougall's, and Vegan Soups and Stews.
Beans, whole grains, and soups/stews are easy to make a big batch of and then just steam some veggies and you're good to go with healthy meals that will hopefully help to keep you on track foodwise which will hopefully lead to some weight loss for you.

Good luck!