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    Can a partial vegetarian have success with Atkins

    Posts: 5
    edited February 6 in Getting Started
    Hi, I am currently transitioning to vegetarian. I do not eat meat at home, however if I go out I will eat seafood and sometimes chicken. I have been looking at the Atkins diet and wondering if it is something I can try. I eat things like veggie burgers and other Morning Star and Boca products regularly. Are these considered carbohydrates? Would I have to go back to eating meat? Which is not something that I would like to do.

    Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

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    • Posts: 1,752 Member
      If you eat eggs and dairy, a plan like Atkins is do-able. You'll probably eat more carbohydrates than the average Atkins dieter, though.
    • Posts: 5
      Hi thanks yes I still eat eggs and dairy. I think the benefits of reducing my sugar and carb intake will really give me a boost in my weight loss.....At least I'm hoping so.
    • Posts: 1,752 Member
      Hi thanks yes I still eat eggs and dairy. I think the benefits of reducing my sugar and carb intake will really give me a boost in my weight loss.....At least I'm hoping so.

      It can help normalize any blood sugar swings you have, that's for sure. Just don't forget about fat. There are many good sources of vegetarian fat - coconut oil, red palm oil (if you can find a sustainable source of it), butter, ghee. Also, research which legumes and pseudo-grains you can get away with that have the highest protein and fiber, like quinoa and peas.
    • Posts: 1,907 Member
      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.
    • Posts: 1,752 Member
      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.

      I agree with this.
    • Posts: 5
      Wow I did not know about the TVP. That is something I am going to have to think about. I am taking my time in this transition because I have never been a big veggie eater. I turned 31 this year and have been working on lifestyle changes. Things are going well thus far but this may be a monkey wrench. Thanks for the info
    • Posts: 10,477 Member
      I eat things like veggie burgers and other Morning Star and Boca products regularly. Are these considered carbohydrates?

      Look at the nutrition label for the carbohydrate content - its the grams of carbohydrates that Atkins focusses on.
    • Posts: 2,560 Member
      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.
    • Posts: 7,166 Member
      Why Atkins? And for that matter, why vegetarian? Just go with high-ish protein, moderate calorie deficit.
    • Posts: 372 Member
      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.
    • Posts: 189 Member
      Some vegetarian soy products are better than others. You can buy organic non GMO tofu. You can do Atkin's if you are vegetarian but it will be really tough. I tried it and found that a healthy vegetarian diet that includes whole grains is better. Just my own experience though :wink:
    • Posts: 405 Member
      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.
    • Posts: 3,639 Member
      Combining the restrictive traits of two totally different, yet highly restrictive nutritional lifestyles is a recipe for failure for 99% of people out there.

      In the end, don't do anything you wouldn't want to sustain the rest of your life.
    • Posts: 66 Member
      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!
    • Posts: 921 Member
      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? :)
    • Posts: 1,091 Member
      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.
    • Posts: 1,091 Member
      show previous quotes

      Uhm, got any proof low-carb is unhealthy? :)

      ^^LOL! I do get sick of hearing how Atkins is unhealthy. "Fear fat. Fear it!" *smh*
    • Posts: 2,560 Member
      show previous quotes

      Uhm, got any proof low-carb is unhealthy? :)

      Never said low carb was not healthy pal :)
    • Posts: 1,062 Member
      Go to the free Atkins website and sign up. It will give you a vegetarian meal plan.

      Atkins can be unhealthy. After several months my cholesterol went thru the roof. Once I cut back (not eliminated) on my red meat, butter, heavy cream and whole egg (I eat a whole egg and egg whites now) consumption it went back to normal.

      Atkins is mainly lean protein & non-starchy vegs if you read their books, visit their site. Eventually grains and starchy vegs get reintroduced in the pre-maintenance phase.

      There are a lot of people winging this diet and they inevitably fail. If you are going to do it, do it right.

      Oh and the veg plan starts out with higher carbs of course.
    • Posts: 3,218 Member
      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!
    • Posts: 41,865 Member
      Combining the restrictive traits of two totally different, yet highly restrictive nutritional lifestyles is a recipe for failure for 99% of people out there.

      Emma_Watson_THIS_Gif.gif
    • Posts: 4,741 Member
      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.
    • Posts: 605 Member
      I'm with the "Why Atkins?" crowd. Just lower your carbs & sugar intake, it that's where your concerns are. You shouldn't have to change anything else in your diet.
    • Posts: 36
      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.
    • Posts: 29
      Haven't read all these posts, but am in a similar boat to you. I do eat seafood, and will occassionally eat chicken (for example if I'm at someone's place for dinner). I'm not going as extreme as Atkins, but have upped my protein intake and vastly reduced my carb intake and am feeling a lot better for it.
    • Posts: 12,942 Member
      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.
    • Posts: 147
      What exactly is a "partial vegetarian" anyway? Which part of you is left?
    • Posts: 5 Member
      that sounds all very interesting
    • Posts: 5 Member
      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.

      Can I ask what your macros are?
    • Posts: 2,305 Member
      show previous quotes

      Emma_Watson_THIS_Gif.gif

      agree-o.gif


      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.
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