shirley_beans Member

Friend me! I've been eating a plant based diet for over 3 months (although I do eat cheese) and loving it! Maybe you can get some meal ideas from my diary, or just message me when you need support :)

Try adding delicious avocado, nuts, and peanut butter to your diet. All have healthy fats and will help you reach your calorie goal.

What about snacking on nuts, or dipping apple slices in some peanut butter?

Personally, I don't believe in liquid meal supplements. Unless you want to drink your meals for the rest of your life, this isn't a sustainable weight loss method. Plus, when you're drinking you're meals you're missing out on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. Just eat a whole foods, plant based diet and count your…

One teaspoon of raw cane sugar is about 15 calories...as long as you're not adding sugar to other foods or eating a lot of processed, sugary foods you should be fine :) It's better than eating chemicals.

Good for you! I'm a firm believer that soda, fast food, and candy (with the exception, perhaps, of dark chocolate) should never enter your body. People who say we can eat them in moderation are just trying to convince themselves that they don't have to give it up :) Sugar is evil! I, too, swore off candy, fast food, and…

There's no reason to stay within the fiber range- it's not like sodium, for example, or even a vitamin. In the case of fiber, too much is not a bad thing! The USDA recommendation of 25 grams daily is actually pretty low, and most Americans don't even reach this amount! I'm vegetarian and probably average 40g a day. I have…

Generally ramen noodles are very unhealthy (loaded with sodium etc.) and lack nutritional value, but if she doesn't use the seasoning packet and flavors it her own way it's probably healthier. I've never heard of anyone doing this (why not just use a thin noodle instead of purchasing ramen and throwing the seasoning away?)…

I'm 5'9" and trying to get to 150. I started at 160 and am down to 158. Feel free to add me :)

Thanks for all the wonderful support and advice! I'm starting tomorrow (and dragging my husband along, too). Jesica our info exchange sounds like a plan :)

Try VegetarianTimes.com. They have an amazing selection of recipes! It sounds like you could make a really delicious stir fry.

Your BMI is 15.7, which is considered underweight. The medical recommendation for a woman of your height and weight is between 129 - 169 lb. I'm sure you're already beautiful, and your parents should not be calling you gross! However misguided their comments are, I'm sure they stem from concern over your health. Gaining…

Yes, it means you need some more fuel. But don't reach for junk-try high protein snacks such as Greek Yogurt, or sprinkle some nuts or legumes on your salad. Also try healthy, non-refined carbohydrates. Personally, my favorite after gym snack are apple slices and peanut butter. The high protein content and presence of fats…

Response to Deadvim: Because too much bad cholesterol will clog your arteries and lead to heart attack or stroke. I get that paleo diet followers point out that cholesterol is naturally produced in the body, which it is, and that consuming cholesterol does help your body regulate its own levels. That does mean that we are…

[/quote] "Paleo appears to be the latest incarnation of the Atkins diet. It's only a matter of time before paleo cupcakes and bread can be found along side the Wonder bread. And when paleo junk-food goes mainstream, paleo will cease to be an effective weight loss method for the majority of people. Then a new diet will gain…

Wow, what delicious ideas everyone! I'll absolutely try one of these suggestions for lunch tomorrow. Dijon mustard sounds like a great addition to olive oil and vinegar, and I love the idea of using Greek yogurt or avocado for creamier dressings.

Cooked beans last a little over a week if stored in air tight container and refrigerator. I have had great success freezing them, as well. It's best to either spread them out on a cookie sheet and freeze them before putting them into a tupperware OR simply freeze in the portion size you'd want. Otherwise you have an entire…

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'm a vegetarian, so every night is Meatless Monday for me :) Here's a recipe for quinoa stuffed peppers, which freezes very easily and can be modified according to taste: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/quinoa-stuffed-peppers-2/ The Vegetarian Times website has some great recipes. You might also want to try doing…

Carbs are not bad in moderation, and carbs are not bad as long as they are not coming from processed foods such as white bread. Your trainer probably meant more along the lines of pasta. Chickpeas are in the legume family, which is a collection of very low calorie, nutrient-dense foods high in protein. I can't imagine your…

As others have mentioned, being a vegetarian doesn't automatically guarantee weight loss. Many vegetarians rely too much on pasta and fake meat products, such as Morning star Farms. This leads to unhealthy levels of sodium and potential overconsumption of carbohydrates. That being said, there are MANY benefits. When my…

Despite the fact that the average American consumes 3,400 mg of sodium daily, the USDA recommends an upper limit of 2,300 mg. The American Heart Association's 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommends that 1,500mg may actually be more appropriate for most populations. Lucky for us we can track our sodium intake by going to the…

I'm in a similar boat...24 y/o female, 5'9", 160 lb. but would like to be about 150 lb. I've only been at this for about a week and am simply following fitness pal's caloric recommendations combined with exercise. I'm also trying to watch my sodium, sugar, and carbs, which can be done by changing the diary settings. Good…

My best friend is a nutritionist (traditionally licensed as well as holistically) and she would tell you to eliminate processed foods, especially "white" products. There is nothing wrong with carbs, especially when you are exercising, but you need to replace white bread with whole wheat. Also cut out the diet soda. In…

1. Location-is it convenient? My gym is a ten minute drive away, but more importantly there is ample parking and it is located in a shopping center along with my grocery store and pharmacy. Since I find myself there several times a week, it is so easy to go for a workout before my errands. 2. Ample cardio machines 3.…