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Last edited by ABigNerd; 10-02-2014 at 02:31 PM.




Greek yogurt! Cliff bars! Black beans!
I'm not vegetarian, but I really just don't care for meat. I eat sushi now and then, but I'd choose a salad over a steak any day.
I'm big on green smoothies at the moment too. They can usually put some protein powder in there without affecting the taste too much.![]()



Any recipe in Appetite for Reduction
how many grams of fiber are you packing in per day?
*stolen from AutumnAmbrosia*

I used to be veg for several years, and I can give you plenty of advice on healthy veg meals. I am a health/fitness freak, but no longer vegetarian because I just missed lean meat too much!
First off, carbs and dairy are going to be your biggest problems. You don't mention eating cheese, but many vegetarians turn to cheese when they cut out meat. Stay away from cheese (unless it's ultra low fat cottage). All the yummy cheeses are fatty and very high cal. I'm sure you already know this. Plus, I'm just not a huge fan of dairy in general, it gives me mucus....yuk.
Second, concentrate on protein. You mention protein without fat, and that's definitely the way to go. I highly recommend lentils, beans, chickpeas and other members of the legume family. They are the best source of protein for vegetarians and are also high in fibre. Eggs, especially egg whites are also good. Very healthy! The problem for most vegetarians is that they don't eat enough protein and so they feel hungry all the time, and therefore consume more calories. I have known plenty of overweight, and even some obese vegetarians in my time. One vegetarian I know piles her plate so high with food (carbs, dairy and deep fried veggies) and still feels hungry!
So what's the best way for vegetarians to eat meals with protein and veges? Stick to mainly soups and salads. I know that doesn't sound very exciting, but trust me, you can get really creative with your combinations. Yesterday I had a delicious salad of lentils, quinoa, kale, orange segments and almonds. It was soooo good! And very healthy.
Soups are great at this time of year, especially a hearty red bean chili or a nice thick lentil soup. Learn how to soak the beans overnight, then cook them up the next day. It is a really inexpensive way to get a good dose of healthy protein. Even now that I eat meat, I still regularly crave lentil soups. Just try to avoid sprinkling them with cheese or adding cream etc. Have a whole grain dinner roll on the side. Soup cooking can be done with little or no fat, unlike if you make a veggie burger, then you have to fry it.
To get your good fats I recommend avocado and raw almonds or other raw nuts. A handful of nuts a day is a great idea. I never count calories for raw nuts or avocados, because they're so damn healthy!
I learned the hard way when I became vegetarian, and gained weight the first year. Then I learned the right way to do it and became even healthier and fitter than my pre-veg self. I hope my method of healthy veg eating is of help to you. Good luck sweetness!![]()




If you can handle the gluten, seitan is high protein, fat free, and very filling. I would start with small portions to be safe though.



I was a vegetarian for 18 years but for the last year I am vegan, there is so much delicious vegan food and especially if you live in the states. Cut out the dairy, it will do you good on so many levels, (especially morally). Try a vegan diet for a month and see the difference.
Here is a good place to start: http://vegankit.com/




I'm sorry to hear it didn't work out for you but this is a false generalization. I was 90% vegetarian for two years and have been completely vegetarian for one year and my bloodwork is perfect in the words of my doctor. My weight has stayed within its normal five pound window. There are many world class vegan athletes and meat free diets are correlated with longer life spans. Additionally, health is not a motivation for many who choose to go meat-free. I'm lucky that being vegetarian has been good for my health because I would still choose not to eat meat even it had suffered. My motivations are 100% ethical.
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