Can a partial vegetarian have success with Atkins

I know you didn't ask, but would you consider giving up your morning star and boca burgers? They are made with TVP and are likely to cause health problems over the long term.

We aren't there yet, but TVP is going to be the next Trans-fat. Studies are showing that TVP is not a healthy alternative to meat. Try to get you protein from non-processed sources like quinoa, legumes, beans, nuts, dairy and eggs as much as you possibly can.

Other products that aren't healthy but seem like it are soy dairy products. Tofu should only be eaten in moderation. The gmo's and pesticides used in soy production are very, very unhealthy.

It doesn't sound like you're giving up meat. Adkins isn't healthy anyway. But I do see it being very difficult to do it and be vegetarian but since you aren't vegetarian I don't think it would be that difficult. It would depend on why you want to try to be vegetarian and if that outweighs your reasoning for wanting to do Akins.

So why are you doing Atkins exactly? Eat at a deficit, watch your macros (Fat, Protein, Carbs), exercise, and you'll lose weight.

I'm vegetarian and gluten free, have never tried Atkins (and never will), and am within 2lb of my "goal" weight following the above guidelines.

I'm vegetarian and satisfy protein cravings with tofu and subs however I found I was more successful when I aimed for my carb macro (55% of my daily calorie intake) then trying to go carb free. Its a much easier way to learn how to incorporate carbs in your life and is sustainable.

I am a fan of moderate carb dieting and carb-cycling, but find Atkins to be too restrictive and do think that you may find it hard to stick to it without getting bored if you don't eat meat at all. In the Induction phase of Atkins you won't be able to eat beans or soy at all....just veggies, cheese and eggs. So most of your "fuel" at that point would come from dairy products, eggs and the like. The acceptable foods list expands as you progress in phases, but do you think that you'll be able to commit to eating that way in the long run?

In any case, if you want to do so badly enough, you can certainly have success eating this way, but it will prove difficult. Best of luck!

The reason Atkins works, regardless of what the book says, is because you're cutting your calories. Plain and simple. I did Atkins for about 6 months last year and plateaued at 10 lbs. down, because...surprise! Surprise! I was no longer eating at a caloric deficit.

As an aspiring vegetarian, I wouldn't recommend Atkins for you. Is it doable? Possibly...but, it won't be enjoyable. Atkins, imo, is NOT a sustainable lifestyle for many people. However, neither is a vegetarian lifestyle. Yes, people do it, but to attempt to adhere to TWO very restrictive dietary regimens and one time is just extremely ambitious. I'd say that you should calorie count and continue on your path to a vegetarian lifestyle, rather than attempt to incorporate Atkins into your approach. If you want, you can cut back on your bread, pasta, and sugar consumption. That would lower your carbs, help stabilize your blood sugar, and allow you to incorporate more nutritious veggies and meat substitutes, like legumes (which are higher in carbs) into your diet.

It doesn't sound like you're giving up meat. Adkins isn't healthy anyway. But I do see it being very difficult to do it and be vegetarian but since you aren't vegetarian I don't think it would be that difficult. It would depend on why you want to try to be vegetarian and if that outweighs your reasoning for wanting to do Akins.

Uhm, got any proof low-carb is unhealthy?

Never said low carb was not healthy pal

So why are you doing Atkins exactly? Eat at a deficit, watch your macros (Fat, Protein, Carbs), exercise, and you'll lose weight.

I'm vegetarian and gluten free, have never tried Atkins (and never will), and am within 2lb of my "goal" weight following the above guidelines.

Same here. Unless you have a medical reason and need for reducing your carb intake, you'll likely find greater success by just tracking your caloric intake and exercising. The fewer things you give up that you enjoy the more likely you'll be to stay with it.

I'm 55%C, 20%P and 25%F. I made no huge sacrifices to get to my goal weight and size and it's very sustainable for me.

Best Wishes!

Lady, you just blew my mind.


As a former vegetarian, when Atkins was popular back in the 90's it was impossible for me to even try it. Try another diet.
IIFIYM is a great one.

The reason Atkins works, regardless of what the book says, is because you're cutting your calories. Plain and simple. I did Atkins for about 6 months last year and plateaued at 10 lbs. down, because...surprise! Surprise! I was no longer eating at a caloric deficit.

As an aspiring vegetarian, I wouldn't recommend Atkins for you. Is it doable? Possibly...but, it won't be enjoyable. Atkins, imo, is NOT a sustainable lifestyle for many people. However, neither is a vegetarian lifestyle. Yes, people do it, but to attempt to adhere to TWO very restrictive dietary regimens and one time is just extremely ambitious. I'd say that you should calorie count and continue on your path to a vegetarian lifestyle, rather than attempt to incorporate Atkins into your approach. If you want, you can cut back on your bread, pasta, and sugar consumption. That would lower your carbs, help stabilize your blood sugar, and allow you to incorporate more nutritious veggies and meat substitutes, like legumes (which are higher in carbs) into your diet.

The reason Atkins didn't work for you is because you did it wrong... You in no way cut calories. Just saying you are "doing" Atkins does not mean you are doing it right. Did you read the book? I actually eat more calories and was losing a pound a day for the first few weeks. I am now 36lbs down and within a few of my goal weight.

You don't need to be in a caloric deficit to lose weight. Just eating the right foods so your body can burn fat instead of store it. Whether it be "doing" Atkins or another "healthy" eating plan. Either way, sugars and processed grains are not good for anyone.

You don't need to be in a caloric deficit to lose weight. Just eating the right foods so your body can burn fat instead of store it. Whether it be "doing" Atkins or another "healthy" eating plan. Either way, sugars and processed grains are not good for anyone.

You are absolutely wrong. Losing weight IS about calorie in/calories burned. It's about portion control. There is no magic food, just food.

Sugar and grains are fine in moderation, just as anything else is, unless your doctor says otherwise or you have a sensitivity or allergy to certain food.

that sounds all very interesting

Combining the restrictive traits of two totally different, yet highly restrictive nutritional lifestyles is a recipe for failure for 99% of people out there.

why would you cut out food groups? thats disordered eating. it doesn't even yield better results.

its a waste of time. just eat what you want within your limit. thats it.

/thread.