What is the vegetarian version of lean meats??

Beans, tofu, tempeh, nuts, etc. could also use whey or hemp, rice, etc. protein powder if you want to go that route. The majority of my diet is plant-based (I might eat meat every couple of months) and have no problems getting over 100 grams of protein a day.

I aim for a 90%/10% ratio and focus on a mostly whole foods, plant based diet. I'm not a vegetarian but am pretty close to it diet wise. I have a green smoothie every day, usually a large, dinner plate sized salad and then some sort of whole grain-brown rice, oatmeal etc etc. I'm in maintenance and am currently struggling to stop continued weight loss, so what I'm doing must be a brilliant weight loss strategy

A typical day-

break fast at 11am with a large salad that has veggies, black olives, croutons and regular ranch dressing; large sweet potato with a cinnamon sugar mixture on top (nothing else-no butter etc)

late afternoon I'll have a large green smoothie with kale, spinach, chia or hemp seeds, banana, blueberries and one other fruit-fills a large canning jar

supper is something like brown rice and veggies or oatmeal with add ins (current favorite is ground flax seed, raisins and cut up almonds).

I don't count calories and only measure out portion sizes of the higher calorie things like the olives, almonds etc. Again, I'm supposed to be in maintenance but I keep hitting new lows eating this way I also have meat and dairy 2-3 times a week, still eat out (usually when I eat the meat and dairy), still have an occasional snack like a homemade muffin or pretzels etc. Only exercise I do is walking and a very small amount of running. I've definitely noticed having more energy since I started eating like this, I sleep better and my skin has cleared up for some reason?

Quinoa! 1 cup has about 18g of protein in it. You can't beat it.

Just vegetarian I eat eggs, dairy etc. Although try not to delve too deep into dairy due to a mild intolerance.

It's not a moral choice for me, I just really can't abide the taste of meat. Have been veggie for 10yrs now

^^ Me too! ...all of this (: feel free to add me, you look awesome by the way!


In for recommendations!

Why don't you try Veggie Burgers and Veggie Sausage and stuff like that??/

It kind of goes against what I'm trying to do....I'm not going for the full blown 'clean eating' hype but I do want to be eating mainly things I've made which is why I'm trying to find an alternative to quorn.

Thanks for all the answers guys.... broadening my mind a little... bit by bit, lol

I know I'm stumbling around a bit into some older territory....gotta love the Internet. But while I am not vegetarian, I do like a lot of vegetarian meals and my daughter is vegetarian, bordering on vegan. I do like the packaged veggie-burger products, but don't feel like they are a great choice and they get expensive.

I started making a lentil & brown rice mixture and making the batch different each time....sometimes Tomato Basil, sometimes Garlic Curry, etc. I can make well over 50 "burgers" for around $3-4, depending on the add-ins. I just cook up a large batch and portion them by 1/4 servings. I made them into patties, place them on parchment paper lined cookie sheets, and freeze them. Then I put each in a baggie, throw them all in a couple of freezer bags, and use them as I want them.

I sometimes thaw them first, but don't have to. I just brown them up a bit. My daughter often just nukes them, but I like a little crunch / firmness. They can be crumbled into things, too. Several non-vegetarian friends have tried them and liked them also.

I've also made Black Bean burgers (as needed, from canned beans). And I'm going to try Breakfast Sausages - here is a link to the recipe:

http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/03/breakfast-sausages.html

I also like lots of nuts, nut butter, seeds, etc, as well as some dairy and meat. But these are nice because they can be made ahead as a "convenience item," but you know what's in them. Let me know if you have any questions.

I went vegetarian a number of years ago and found I had to rely heavily on wheat, grains, dairy, legumes and soy. I hate soy so I actually used a lot Quorn products, but yes, they are highly processed. I would think most vegetarian products are highly processed. I eventually added fish back in because my iron was so low. When I got pregnant again I ended up going back to all meats.

I rely a lot on Avocado, beans, nuts and green veggies.

I am vegan and I also struggle with going to carbs to fill me up. I try to eat at least 1-2 pounds of green leafy veggies. It is a LOT of food and a lot of chewing but lots of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Toss on some seeds or nuts, throw some garbanzo beans, and maybe a few other colorful veggies and you will be full ALL day.

Have you tried cottage cheese? Or curd? I use these to help bolster my protein intake without overdoing it on meat...

quorn bacon is nice with avocado in a salad

quorn ham good with wheat free bread and salad

I think it's good to have quorn maybe 3-4 times a week, not everyday!

Today I had bean burgers made with sweet potato and beans, so yummy!