Vegetarian and have excess carbs every day

Yes, that's typical. I did a vegan diet for 6 months and my carb count was high. But, I lost weight very well.

I'm vegetarian and pretty much never go over my carbs, but I can see how it would be more likely with a vegetarian diet. Maybe try to focus a little less on grains and a little more on veggies (not potatoes though )

I have not been a vegetarian since I joined MFP, but I was for 16 years, and my diet was extremely carbo-centric. That was one of the problems for me and why I was so heavy. When I started eating meat again and cut out the carbs, or cut them down to one serving of starchy carbs per day, I lost weight very easily. I'm not suggesting you start eating meat, by no means!! I'm just sharing my experience. One thing you could try is to eat more vegetarian sources of protein, like tofu, or if you're in to the meat replacements, the protein can be more filling, and that will enable you to lower your carbs without starving. You can always increase your veggie ratios in your meals too, like a small serving of starch, but more vegetables, beans, etc.

Maybe modify the way you count your carbs as low carb dieters and diabetics do? EG dont count fiber or sugar alcohols in you NET carb total? It is work but it may give you a truer idea on the effective carbs you're consuming.

When I was a new vegetarian, my meals tended to be very carb-centric with rice, pasta, bread and potatoes. Now I try to prepare more veggie-centric meals and am actively incorporating more protein. It's easy to fall back on the carbs because they tend to be easier to fix and require less creativity. Check out vegetarian times. It's a magazine (also a website) and they have fabulous, creative, healthy vegetarian food you wouldn't even be able to imagine. With practice it becomes easier and more natural.

I'm always way over on carbs every day and I've lost 50 pounds so far.

Yes, that's typical. I did a vegan diet for 6 months and my carb count was high. But, I lost weight very well.

Have you kept the weight off? I have been vegetarian for just over a month now and haven't noticed any dramatic changes yet.

As a (soon to be formerly) fat vegetarian, I can tell you simply not eating meat didn't help me lose any weight.

In my personal experience, I found I ended up eating a lot more often because I didn't stay full as long. I was the only one in my family who didn't eat meat, so I would usually eat sides instead of a proper vegetarian meal. Eating salads and sides is a terrible way to stay full! Once I moved out and had to fend for myself at dinner time it was a lot easier to make a real vegetarian meal.

Just keep an eye on what you're eating. If you're taking in the same number of calories as you were before you made the switch then you won't see a dramatic result.

For the OP, my carb intake is higher than MFP suggests, too. I try not to worry about it. Going over on carbs doesn't seem to make a difference to me when it comes to weight loss so I ignore it for the most part.

At the moment, I'm a pescetarian and have only gone over carbs twice since I started a few weeks ago. I also don't eat fish every day. My diary is open if you want to take a look.

I'm a veggie, and i I go over on anything it tends to be carbs. as other said; it doesn't matter too much as long as you see results. I have been loosing a steady 1 pound per week with my diet, and I am happy with that.


If you are still bothered by it though, have a look in some of our diaries to see what we eat, as it may give you some ideas of what meals you could eat that are low on carbs. (if you check out mine, you will see I have gone over on Protein yesterday, not carbs!) You also may find it helpful to track your own diary for a few weeks to see what days you didn't go over on your carbs, and what meals are particularly high on carbs, which you therefore want to avoid.

If you are loosing weight, don't beat yourself up about the carbs. You are seeing the results, enjoy eating your usual diet!