Going Vegetarian to help myself!

I've been vegetarian for nearly 16 years now. If you join the happy herbivores group, us MFP veggies and vegans congregate there (as well as MFP vegetarians).

Being vegetarian or vegan is not a magic solution for weight loss though. It can be a lot healthier than the standard western diet though. It depends on what you eat, if you avoid excess dairy, processed carbs and junk food you will lose weight and gain so much health wise on a vegetarian diet.

so what led you to this conclusion exactly?

Nothing against this lifestyle choice. I'm just always curious when i come accross someone who wants to take this route?

also, i wouldnt say the 2nd poster gets enough protein IMO.

I have been vegetarian basically my whole life. I love it. Growing up in a house where everyone else is pro meat and potatoes was difficult, but I feel healthier all the time and I am proud of my food choices.

I am also looking for vegetarian friends out there to share stories with, so please feel free to add me!

13 years as a lacto-ovo-vegetarian. Two things to remember - 1. just because your veg-head, doesn't mean you can't put on weight. I know a lot of overweight vegetarians and was one myself. You still have to be very conscious of portions and limiting complex carbs. 2. Getting enough proteins will be your other primary tasks. Find the source that you like and plan ahead, especially if you are planning on any strengthening or conditioning. Most vegan sources of protein are really high in carbs so you have to beware that trap.
Good luck with your new journey and I'm sure you want regret. It can feel great when done right.


Advice is worth exactly what you pay for it.

I went fully vegetarian for a few months and now just eat a very limited amount of meat.(About one serving a week.) I suggest going easy on the meat substitutes like Morningstar and Boca Burger - you can have less fat, calories, and sodium (and thus a bigger, more satisfying portion) by eating beans and vegetables. If you're cooking for yourself, a food processor is your friend . Lots of things like hummus, lentil loaf, and black bean burgers require one to make. If you eat out more, Middle Eastern and Ethiopian restaurants have a lot of good options. Final bit of advice, give up one meat at a time to avoid feeling deprived. Good luck!

Hi, I am new to the vegetarian life. I want to do it to improve my health. I read EAT TO LIVE by Dr. Joel Fuhrman and loved what I found. I used to be a sugar/carboholic and now find that eating mainly green plants, fresh veggies, beans, nuts and seeds is the way to go for me. I feel SO much better!! I'll eat meat several times a week but am keeping my portion size to 2 oz. or less and I cut out most grains to a serving a day, severely cut back on processed foods, and salt. I already had cut back on salt, dairy, meat portions, eliminated sugar and white flour so I had a running start, already.

It is funny, I just started just by adding LOTS more veggies in October and then cutting back more on salt, processed foods, meats, and by the time the Holiday Parties all started I ate a few cookies, and some dips, etc. and found that while I didn't consume a great quantity I felt like absolute crap for 3 - 4 days afterwards! I couldnt' wake up in the morning, the joints of my fingers hurt every morning and my innards came to a screeching halt in protest! I still love the taste of these things, but I am finding that by eating a much cleaner diet I FEEL so much better!

So I suppose I am in a different category than most seem to be on this post. I know our chosen diets are very personal to us. I feel like I've been thrown a lifeline and am very thankful that I did not end up with serious medical consequences for my decades of eating misdeeds! My highest weight was 205, and I started at about 168 here in February. My goal was 135 and I never dreamed that I'd ever get as close as I am today (138.6) without fighting tooth and nail against starvation, but I'm not! Eating the way I have chosen to I have been losing weight (before the holiday eating parties) and was very hopeful to lose my last 4 pounds almost easier than the first 4 pounds which were a *****!!

Anyway, good luck to you what ever you choose to do. This works for me, and YES! It is a lifestyle change. I am convinced my body doesn't want the other food anymore!

You'll find that for very few calories you can have sufficient protein from plants and a LOT of food to eat! People aren't used to thinking of plants as protein. How much meat do you think cows eat as in "grass fed"? If you do some checking you will find that when compared PER CALORIE most green plants do have more protein than meat, but the beef industry wants us to think protein content per "3 oz. serving". Try comparing "per 100 calories" and see how it works out. It is kind of logical when you think about it but we are so used to thinking that meat and animal products are the only way to go. Honestly, it does take more thought and preparation to not just grab a package and open it up, but it is a very healthy option for me. Anyway this is how I am handling it!

so what do you do for protein?

Protein is in so many foods, Nuts and soy are a really good source
I switched to a vegan diet a few months ago and I love it as well. Good luck