Going Vegitarian for the first time...

[DatingDirection]

Hi, thanks for reading my post. I have a question, I would like to get back to my natural body weight, and fast! I today is day 8 on my vegetarian lifestyle. How much weight can I expect to lose on a diet with raw fruit and veggies, with small amount of dairy such as feta cheese in my salads, or yogurt for breakfast or snack? I've also been exercising a lot more, anywhere between 30 min - 1hr per day, on top of walking everywhere.

[Maleficent]

If you want to lose weight on a vegetarian diet, talk to a nutritionnist. I get the feeling you are going about it all wrong...

 

First, don't replace meat with only cheese. Your Protein options are wide but meat is pretty much the only thing that will give you 'complete' proteins.

 

On a vegetarian diet you need to combine - for example - lentils with rice to make the complete proteine.

 

Tofu is a good complete protein replacement (personally not a fan but a good option for a lot of people)

[DatingDirection]

If you want to lose weight on a vegetarian diet, talk to a nutritionnist. I get the feeling you are going about it all wrong...

 

First, don't replace meat with only cheese. Your Protein options are wide but meat is pretty much the only thing that will give you 'complete' proteins.

 

Thanks for the reply. Actually, im not replacing meat with cheese. If I do have cheese it will be sheeps milk cheese, or another type of feta, in small amount, such as 1-2 oz mixed in with a salad that consist of celery, apple, avocado, and carrots. Or, for dinner avocado mashed up with onions and tomatoes wrapped in boston lettus. I don't over do it on the cheese

[Satu]

A vegetarian diet doesn't produce weight loss in itself.

 

It's about calories.

 

Where those calories come from makes no difference.

[DatingDirection]

Pufff...now im confused , I really want to set myself up for success. Thank you for the reply.

[Maleficent]

Pufff...now im confused , I really want to set myself up for success. Thank you for the reply.

 

Which is why you should consult a nutritionnist...

[badpenny]

Quinoa is an excellent source of proteins as are Chia seeds. They're very like linseeds in their consistency, except much smaller and very viscous.

 

Extremely nutritious and excellent for 'bulking' and suppressing appetite.

Research all information thoroughly before consuming said products. Chia seeds for example, really don't need to exceed 20grammes/day.

[DatingDirection]

A person I know went vegetarian, and is coaching me. The person lost a lot of weight, especially the puffiness, that went away with being vegetarian.

[Starship]

I've been a vegetarian for over 30 years. I'm late 50's and zero health issues. My boyfriend has been mostly vegetarian (he eats fish) for decades. Again, no health issues. No meds.

 

Don't worry about the protein thing...never even crosses my mind.

 

Having said this, it's still about calories in and calories out. No meat in a chocolate bar or bag of Cheezies but lots of calories...more than in a can of tuna.

 

We go to a couple of veggie potlucks each month. 'Most' of the attendees are slender and fit...however, still a few overweight individuals. Again, lots of calories in many non meat products.

[Satu]

A person I know went vegetarian, and is coaching me. The person lost a lot of weight, especially the puffiness, that went away with being vegetarian.

 

I've been vegetarian for a very long time and can't even remember what meat tastes like.

 

Buy a few cookbooks and you'll be fine.

 

Don't worry too much about the nutritional details. You can cover all the protein types quite easily if you learn a few simple guidelines. Miso, real fermented Shoyu, and Tofu are your friends.

 

Tofu is delicious, if you know how to cook it. The way to cook it is the Japanese way.

 

Enjoy.

[SycamoreCircle]

I like making a low calorie Asian Cabbage Cole Slaw. It's cheap, filling and nutritious.

 

-cabbage(any kind will do)

-carrot

-cilantro(optional)

-garlic

-apple

-ginger(optional)

-natural soy sauce

-olive or sesame oil

 

Chop/shred everything up into matchsticks and slivers. Toss it in the soy sauce and oil to taste. Let it sit a minute before eating.

[badpenny]

I've been vegetarian for a very long time and can't even remember what meat tastes like.

 

Buy a few cookbooks and you'll be fine.

 

Don't worry too much about the nutritional details. You can cover all the protein types quite easily if you learn a few simple guidelines. Miso, real fermented Shoyu, and Tofu are your friends.

 

Tofu is delicious, if you know how to cook it. The way to cook it is the Japanese way.

 

Enjoy.

 

I made my own miso paste last year. It will be ready to eat in October, but already, there is a wonderful layer of Tamari sauce risen to the top.... it's turned the most amazing hazelnut-brown colour, too!

[DatingDirection]

Thank you so much for all the types and recipes! I have to say, that I feel really good these days, not eating meat. I feel more at peace with in myself, and I also feel that by not eating meet, I may be helping someone from another country have more food to eat, or im helping to save an animals life at least. I also realised, and even though I didn't eat fast food, im not contributing to those large corporations that could care less about people's health, and turning my attention to other corporations that do care about peoples health and well being. Which makes me feel better while im at it.

[DatingDirection]

*TIPS* not types sorry :S And since I need to fill more things in the box up, I guess I should add, that sometimes I have major spelling mistakes, which I don't catch, or I type way too fast, but overall, I know im articulate and smart.

[Satu]

I made my own miso paste last year. It will be ready to eat in October, but already, there is a wonderful layer of Tamari sauce risen to the top.... it's turned the most amazing hazelnut-brown colour, too!

 

Awesome!

 

I love miso.

[Satu]

Thank you so much for all the types and recipes! I have to say, that I feel really good these days, not eating meat. I feel more at peace with in myself, and I also feel that by not eating meet, I may be helping someone from another country have more food to eat, or im helping to save an animals life at least. I also realised, and even though I didn't eat fast food, im not contributing to those large corporations that could care less about people's health, and turning my attention to other corporations that do care about peoples health and well being. Which makes me feel better while im at it.

 

You might find

interesting.

[Michelle ma Belle]

I've been on a vegetarian/vegan diet for the past year (give or take) using the 80/20 rule. My partner is a lacto-vegetarian and has been for over 10 years.

 

As already mentioned, being vegetarian or even vegan does NOT automatically guarantee weight loss. You can be a vegan and weigh 200+ lbs easy if all you're eating is french fries and junk food high in processed flours and sugars.

 

Doing it "right" takes a lot of effort and knowledge. It's always easier to lose weight when you're younger than it is when you're older so keep that in mind.

 

And eating dairy, ANY kind of dairy does nothing to help with weight loss. There are scads of books on the damage that dairy causes especially in women.

 

My one piece of advice? If you want to see results on the scale, lose the dairy.

 

Good luck!

 

P.S. My FAV vegetarian/vegan cookbooks are Forks Over Knives and Vegan Planet. I've made countless meals from both of these books that were DELICIOUS, incredibly satisfying AND healthy

[badpenny]

Awesome!

 

I love miso.

It was quite time consuming and protracted, but I loved every minute of it, and now, seeing the product really beginning to 'take shape' as it were, knowing the health benefits, the work and the wait are really worthwhile!

 

I had to buy the special Koji rice on-line, and it's impregnated with a special mould or fungal yeast, which is essential for the fermentation process. Little bit expensive, but well worth it.

[Starship]

Awesome!

 

I love miso.

 

If you like miso, drop into a Korean/Japanese grocery store. All types of miso products. Ive discovered a wide variety.

[DatingDirection]

 

"As already mentioned, being vegetarian or even vegan does NOT automatically guarantee weight loss. You can be a vegan and weigh 200+ lbs easy if all you're eating is french fries and junk food high in processed flours and sugars."

 

Yes of course I understand that if me just becoming vegetarian/vegan entiles eating fried processed foods, without the meat, means that I would blow up like a balloon, and not even go down to my natural size!!!

 

 

I love vegetables, and fruits!!! I've always eaten them. By Vegetarian I mean, snacks= veggies/fruit, maybe a little almond butter or hummus with the snack. And main meals= green drinks, kale, celery, date apple in the blender etc. or salads filled with greens and fruits maybe with some seeds on top. If I do want to have some cheese, I will put some goats/sheep's milk cheese in the salads.

 

"And eating dairy, ANY kind of dairy does nothing to help with weight loss. There are scads of books on the damage that dairy causes especially in women."

 

 

While I am not sure I can't go cold turkey on the cheese, it's my 1 favorate food. I will only have it in moderation. I never really liked milk, so I do use unsweetened vanilla almond milk, and I put it in my fruit smoothies sometimes for breakfast.

 

My one piece of advice? If you want to see results on the scale, lose the dairy.

 

Good luck!

 

P.S. My FAV vegetarian/vegan cookbooks are Forks Over Knives and Vegan Planet. I've made countless meals from both of these books that were DELICIOUS, incredibly satisfying AND healthy

 

 

Thank you for the recommendation. I saw the documentary Forks Over Knives, along with some other amazing documentaries about vegan/vegetarian.

[Michelle ma Belle]

There are also a couple of documentaries I would recommend to you;

 

Let's be Frank and Unsupersize Me. These are about BIG transformations both physically and emotionally.

 

You might want to consider checking out a website called FMTV.com (Food Matters). The website was created as a result of their documentary Food Matters and it's another awesome resource for all things healthy.

 

That's where I came across Unsupersize Me among other great documentaries, books, and such.

 

Let's be Frank is harder to find online but can be purchased on Amazon.

 

Good luck!

[DatingDirection]

You might find

interesting.

 

 

 

Thank you for the video! It was interesting. You know, our society is about profits, not people. It really does make me mad when I see I can buy 3 huge bags of chips for $2, or a huge back of cookies for $2, but when I want to buy red pepers, EACH pepper is $2. Doesn't it cost the same or if not less to grow natural foods, rather then to pay for the cost of mechanical engineered foods, like chips and cookies?! Does this makes sense?

[DatingDirection]

There are also a couple of documentaries I would recommend to you;

 

Let's be Frank and Unsupersize Me. These are about BIG transformations both physically and emotionally.

 

You might want to consider checking out a website called FMTV.com (Food Matters). The website was created as a result of their documentary Food Matters and it's another awesome resource for all things healthy.

 

That's where I came across Unsupersize Me among other great documentaries, books, and such.

 

Let's be Frank is harder to find online but can be purchased on Amazon.

 

Good luck!

 

 

Merci beaucoup pour toutes les informations , mon Canadian. I don't speak French that well, but thank you. I have to tell you, that I feel so good! I mean really good being vegetarian/vegan. While this is part 1 of the main reason why I want to change my lifestyle, I only hope that I can be slim again, as I was before. I was so happy, and full of energy when I was slim. I want to get rid of the puffiness, the bloating, and just be naturally slim. How can I make sure that the foods I am consuming will help me do this, even with consuming a small amount of cheese in my diet?

[DatingDirection]

There are also a couple of documentaries I would recommend to you;

 

Let's be Frank and Unsupersize Me. These are about BIG transformations both physically and emotionally.

 

 

 

Let's be Frank is harder to find online but can be purchased on Amazon.

 

Good luck!

 

I tired looking for that movie, but you're right, I have to purchase it. I will still watch it thank you! I found so many amazing recipes from that site too! I can't wait to try them out! Big thank you!

[Michelle ma Belle]

Merci beaucoup pour toutes les informations , mon Canadian. I don't speak French that well, but thank you. I have to tell you, that I feel so good! I mean really good being vegetarian/vegan. While this is part 1 of the main reason why I want to change my lifestyle, I only hope that I can be slim again, as I was before. I was so happy, and full of energy when I was slim. I want to get rid of the puffiness, the bloating, and just be naturally slim. How can I make sure that the foods I am consuming will help me do this, even with consuming a small amount of cheese in my diet?

 

Cheese will do the reverse so we careful. I know it's hard to eliminate cheese. Hell, I'm half Italian and half French - cheese is a HUGE staple and something I grew up and LOVE with all my heart

 

There are some pretty good substitutes out there anymore. I mean, cheese is so damn good it's hard to find a replacement but vegan cheese options can ease you off it without feeling completely deprived.

 

Another great option are nut cheeses and sauces. Honestly, if/when you find a great recipe they can be DELICIOUS. Cashews seem to be a staple in making any kind of nut cheese and cheese sauces.

 

There are some GREAT recipes on Pinterest you might want to try.

 

Nut cheese options work best as substitutions for goat cheese, feta cheese, cream cheese balls. They don't seem to work well as melting cheeses (or at least I haven't been able to find any that do the job). Daiya cheese brands are the better options if you want that kind of ooey-gooey melty-cheesey option. Daiya cheeses come in slices and shreds and even spreadable versions.

 

Oh another great website to check out is Post Punk Kitchen. Isa is the author/chef and she has written many cookbooks but her website and YouTube videos are really great. I've tried several of her recipes and they are very, very good. All vegan by the way.

 

If you want to read more about the effects of cheese, Skinny Bitch series has a chapter in their book about it and not only is it informative but hilarious. Worth checking out.