Vegetarian! Help!

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Cherryblosm3
Cherryblosm3 Posts: 106 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I recently turned herbivore (4 months now) and am having issues finding HEALTHY recipies!
You will be suprised how UNHEALTHY being vegetarian can be if you dont do it right.

I have noticed I eat WAY too much pasta, bread, etc. and im assuming that is contributing to my lack of weight loss.

Is anyone on here a vegetarian? I could use some low calorie recipe ideas..
I need to lose 30-40 lbs by december (Getting married!!!! ahhhh!!!) 8-10lbs a month.

Help!
Thanks guys!!!
-Lauren
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Replies

  • fab_ridz
    fab_ridz Posts: 73
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    I have been a vegetarian all my life. I know what you mean by eating unhealthy even though you are a vegetarian.
    Try incorporating more lentils and other legumes in your diet.
    Try out this website
    http://vegweb.com/
  • Cherryblosm3
    Cherryblosm3 Posts: 106 Member
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    Great, thank you!
  • Ravenesque_
    Ravenesque_ Posts: 257 Member
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    Canned beans, lentils and quorn are your friends.
  • SillyDrusilla
    SillyDrusilla Posts: 19
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    There are a lot of really good Indian and pressure cooker recipes that fall into the vegetarian category! I looove the pressure cooker and it's apparently a healthier way of preparing food because the vitamins stay in.
  • jessimacar
    jessimacar Posts: 291
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    Instead of fajitas or something, make lettuce wraps. Use spaghetti squash instead of pastas when it's in season. Buy fresh bread that you can have cut thinner than standard loaves. If you're vegetarian and not full vegan, cut down on your dairy, but not eggs. Lots of egg whites are filling and low cal. Some yolks are good, but higher cal. Hmm.. That's all I can think of right now..

    Oh, and soups! Soups are healthy and low cal if you watch for sodium. :)
  • sunsetwest
    sunsetwest Posts: 199 Member
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    vegetariantimes.com has a plethora of recipes that you can filter by dietary needs. i eat lots of salads with olive oil/balsamic dressing, fruit/green smoothies, raw/soaked nuts and roasted veggies. it's all about finding the healthier ways to add the flavors we're used to. things like lemon juice, fresh herbs, avocado and coconut oil are my go-to additions. good luck!
  • amanda_ataraxia
    amanda_ataraxia Posts: 400 Member
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    Two cookbooks I highly recommend are Appetite For Reduction and Happy Herbivore. Both are low fat and low calorie vegan cookbooks.
  • theblitz
    theblitz Posts: 32
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    load up with veggies find new fun ways to cook them (stuff a mushroom, build an awesome salad). bake some sweet potatoes. use black beans and lentils as a base. I'm a vegetarian and I rarely eat pasta. It never occurs to me. I'm trying to think... I eat a lot of salad and baked potato and veggies and fruit, usually oatmeal or eggwhites for breakfast.
  • SammieGetsFit
    SammieGetsFit Posts: 432 Member
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    Have you heard of Happy Herbivore (happyherbivore.com)? There are some great resources there for a healthy plant-based diet. And recipes!

    Also, there is a Happy Herbivores group here on MFP with lots of resources. Good luck!
  • phillips529
    phillips529 Posts: 195 Member
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    Your not alone...but it is alot easier than you think. The goal is to have a variety and color on your plate. I'm vegan and I use a 9" plate and I try to fill it with color, green, yellow, orange and brown...and reduce as much white as possible. A good book to review is Appetite for Reduction it's vegan but you can add whatever you like... Good luck on your journey!
  • sheclimbsrocks
    sheclimbsrocks Posts: 110 Member
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    Maybe replace the pasta with beans? I am a big fan of crockpot cooking & this determines what my lunch is all week. I like lentils and chick peas. I cut up some veggies and throw them in or roast them and then toss in different seasonings.

    Good luck on your herbivore mission!
  • SelkieDiver
    SelkieDiver Posts: 260 Member
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    Its amazing how many vegetarians don't eat enough VEGETABLES! If you make your diet mostly out of raw/cooked veg, fruit, beans/lentils and some tofu here and there, and watch your grain intake (eat only whole grains, no processed stuff) you'll see the weight fall off. Make a big pot of soup using all the veggies you want and some beans and you can eat off that all week. For recipes I like vegweb.com and allrecipies.com vegetarian section. It's way too easy to over-rely on all the processed premade crap out there. You're much better off cooking your own healthy food.

    Good luck!
  • Maddi_InBetweenDays
    Maddi_InBetweenDays Posts: 177
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    Yeah, becoming a "pasta vegetarian" is something that most veggie converts go through, at least I did. If you are on dairy and do eggs, you can get a lot of protein from them. I also found this website helpful http://www.theveggietable.com/articles/protein.html It doesn't go too in depth, but it talks about food combining and complete proteins. Also, by having vegetables as your main calorie source, you can eat a lot more in volume (and feel fuller) on less calories. You'll be amazed if you eat a variety of fruits and veggies how much protein you can get. Good luck on your start of a healthier lifestyle!
  • stylistchik
    stylistchik Posts: 1,436 Member
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    vegetables are your friend! Vegetarian or not, veggies and fruits should be the center of your meal with grains and protein to compliment. They are low calorie, high fiber and full of nutrients.
  • elenaviolet
    elenaviolet Posts: 21 Member
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    Websites like vegweb.com and vegetariantimes.com have great recipes for you to try out. Also veganyumyum has good recipes(: If you fill up your fridge with healthy food, you will eat halthy.
  • CookieRehab
    CookieRehab Posts: 65 Member
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    Hey. As a vegetarian that is allergic to soy I eat a large amount of beans and lentils (enough that every time I have to buy some my bf giggles). But try joining a group on here. I joined the happy herbivores >> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/45-happy-herbivores. People from here share lots of recipes on there. I also use vegetarian times. The no meat athlete also has some good snack recipes. GL
  • kate_n_pjs
    kate_n_pjs Posts: 86 Member
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    I too am a vegetarian, for about 1 year. I try and eat as few grains as possible to keep losing weight. I eat a lot of salads, stir-fry (no rice or noodles), and soups. My carbs are ususally fruit, yogurt, beans, luna or clif bars and sometimes I eat a sprouted grain tortilla. So far I have lost 18lbs, but it has taken a long time (8-10 months), and I burn 300-600 calories 5-6 days a week, and most recently started losing about 1 lb a week by cutting out grains.

    My typical day:
    pre-ride 1/2 clif bar with water
    ride bike to work: 45 minutes=300 calories
    breakfast: plain greek yogurt with fruit and nuts or seeds
    lunch: salad with tofu, tons of fresh veggies, homemade dressing (1Tbs olive oil) or avocado and a piece of fruit
    Snacks: Luna Bar, or hummus and veggies, 1 oz cheese and fruit or 1/4c. nuts (raw, unsalted)
    ride bike home from work: 45 minutes=300 calories (sometimes I get a ride home and then will do a different workout)
    post-ride/workout: 1Tbs. coconut oil and 1 scoop protein powder and almond milk
    Dinner: Steamed veggies w/ seitan or veggie burger (3 days a week I will have beans or yams as well)
    Treats: dark chocolate, 6 oz red wine or 12oz light beer

    I am not always perfect but I figure that if I can do this most of the time, it will work. You are welcome to view my diary and message me with any questions about what the random lists of food mean in terms of meals or recipes for things. Also, feel free to add me as a friend.
  • Racho113
    Racho113 Posts: 2 Member
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    I've been vegetarian for over 20 years. I also teach nutrition as my profession. Try cutting out all or most processed foods, and incorporating more raw foods into your diet. If you look on You Tube there are a ton of raw food recipes and information about the raw food diet - some recipes require specialist equipment, but many do not, or can be adapted. The principles of a raw food diet are to eat wholesome, organic, vegan foods for a large part of your diet. It is quite difficult to over eat on fruit and vegetables, and when mixed with a sensible amount of cooked or raw wholegrains, nuts & seeds, and it is probably one of the healthiest diets you can adopt. I think the key to success is finding a bank of reliable recipes that you really like, otherwise, it will become too difficult to maintain. Also, check out johnbchiro on You Tube - He gives a great insight into what is in processed foods and can be very motivational in making you want to change your eating habits for good! Good luck with your weight loss and wedding!
  • _granola
    _granola Posts: 326
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    Beans, eggs, lentils, quinoa, and tempeh. Nom nom nom

    http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2000/02/recipes-list.html (vegan recipes)

    Quinoa is a great replacement for pasta (I think it tastes better, actually). Wraps, veggie sandwiches, and veggie burgers are also great ways to get veggies, protein and whole grains in. :smile:
  • Opha30
    Opha30 Posts: 15 Member
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    Been a vegetarian for 16 years, I gained weight when I first started because I was eating so much pasta and cheese and not enough vegetables. Now I RARELY eat pasta (especially in the summer b/c it's too hot to boil water!). Some overall ideas that help me

    1. Explore new foods - vegetarian diets are not limiting by any means! I've expanded my palate way more as a vegetarian

    2. Do not mistake cheese for flavor. Incorporate more spices and herbs into your cooking for a more satisying flavor

    3. Vegetables need not be drenched in oil to be delicious. I almost always use less oil than recommended for veggies - par boil some brussel sprouts, throw a small amount of oil in a pan to sear them and throw on a dash of salt - amazing! Steaming vegetables and adding a dash of something for flavor is also awesome

    4. Along with #1 - TRY NEW GRAINS! Quinoa, farro, and bulgar wheat are all awesome

    5. Try to eliminate a meat-starch-vegetable mentality for meals (especially dinner). Sometimes for dinner I'll have an eggwhite omlet stuffed with veggies and side salad. Or a mushroom stuffed with tofu and leeks, with a side vegetable and maybe some quinoa with sweet potato if I do want the standard "meat/starch/veggie" dinner - it's just my "meat" is mostly veggie!

    6. Think about texture - sometimes when I have a craving I can realize it's more about wanting that texture than wanting that particular item (e.g., PopChips are a life saver for me when I want something crunchy and salty). So I'd say think about what texture you find satisfying and look for healthier alternatives with that texture.

    Hope this is helpful even though I don't offer any concrete recipe ideas :-)

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