Vegan diet problem

If you're trying to eat as healthy as you can, why are you eating 600-700 calories a day? You've stated that you know that is not healthy.

Are you weighing and accurately logging all of your food? It is very possible to lose weight on a vegan diet (I have done it, as have many others!) but it's not anything special for weight loss. Calories in vs. calories out still applies.

+1 on weighing your foods.

If you are gaining weight, you are eating more than you think you are (barring metabolic disorders).

beans, greek yogurt, avocado, eggs, protein shakes with fruit and cocowater as a meal...

helyg wrote: »

Is it just me who is confused by vegans who eat cheese, eggs and fish?!

They aren't vegans, of course.

OP, I'm confused. You say you are gaining weight eating 600-700 calories per day? Or you did gain weight and now are eating so low? If you have been gaining weight while you think you are eating 600-700, there's a problem with your counting or you are perhaps bingeing on non-counted days. Either way, aiming for a more reasonable calorie amount is a good idea. Instead of just non-starchy veg (which if you've been gaining I doubt are all you eat), you will want to make sure to include good sources of protein and healthy fats like legumes, tofu and tempeh, seitan, probably some whole grains, and of course nuts and seeds and avocado, olives, that sort of thing.

How are you counting and do you log every day?

If you really think you've been eating that low and not losing, how do you feel? Probably a visit to a doctor (and referral to a dietitian) would be in order in that case. But it's likely some kind of logging issue.

TeaBea wrote: »

Calorie Dense Vegan Foods

Nuts

Nuts are the easiest way to add calories to a vegan diet. A single ounce of almonds, peanuts or pistachios has about 164 calories, while an ounce of macadamias or pecans can have approximately 200 calories. Sprinkle them over a salad, munch them as a snack or enjoy any variety of all-natural nut butters, and watch your calorie consumption skyrocket. Nut fats are overwhelmingly unsaturated and provide some extra protein as well.

Oils

Plant-based oils like olive, canola and coconut are another good way to add calories to your diet, each carrying around 120 calories per tablespoon. Although they're not exactly foods themselves - though in solid form with a little sweetener, you could eat coconut oil by the spoonful - they add calories during cooking when they absorb into your food. Use them in stir-fries and in place of butter when sauteing. A drizzle of olive oil complements an aged balsamic vinegar on your salad, and a dash of sesame oil adds flavor and calories to miso soup.

Soy Products

Soy is generally considered a healthier meat substitute, and it is - lower in sodium, cholesterol and fat, but not in calories. A cup of edamame has 376 calories - it's easy to forget that it's a legume, not a vegetable, despite the green bean appearance. A cup of tempeh, which is fermented soy, has 320 calories.

Grains

Grains pack a double calorie punch. First, they can be high in calories themselves. Second, they're the foods that most people eat with high-calorie condiments. Quinoa is a healthy grain that doubles as a complete protein source, but it also contains a whopping 635 calories per cup. Amaranth comes in at 729 calories per cup. The more common grains like corn, wild rice and brown rice contain a more reasonable 165 to 200 calories per cup. If you're trying to gain weight, plan your meals around a main dish of grains. To lose weight, treat grains more like a side dish.

Fruits and Vegetables

Most fruits and vegetables are low-calorie but not the avocado, with 240 calories per cup (see References 1). The preparation method matters, too - potato chips are vegan, but they're definitely not low calorie. Other fruits and vegetables are water-heavy and calorie-light, but the savvy vegan uses them to her advantage. To lose weight, enjoy your fruits whole to get all the flavor, fiber and nutrients in a low-calorie package. To gain weight, juice your fruits and vegetables to enjoy a more concentrated form that packs several servings' worth of produce into a single glass of juice. You don't get the fiber in the juice, though, so eat plenty of high-fiber grains and whole fruit to balance the deficiency.

Pretty much everything I was going to say so I'll just quote...

EttaMaeMartin wrote: »

i am a vegan and am eating a egg burrito for breakfast, 1 egg 2 egg whites, spinach, tomatoe, orange bell pepper and laughing cow cheese. so good! great lunch idea too i drain veggie soup add romaine and all the veggies that will fit and a sprinkle of the cheese of your choice. i also do fish and shrimp.

wut?