Hey, any vegetarians out there? My doctor says he never saw an overweight veg. Oh, well, there are still the breads and pastries and stuff. Being veg. doesn't necessary mean healthy in all the other ways! Any others out there doing this program with me?

Hi--I'm a sometimes veg.  I guess you'd say a wannabe.  Vegetarian options can make for a much healthier diet as long as the carbs are complex, and there's not too much emphasis on dairy and eggs for protein.  I love to have multiple cans of different kinds of beans in the pantry.  The ff refried are great on whole wheat tortillas just spread out with some seasonings and a tiny amount of shredded cheese, if any.  Or the rinsed whole beans from the cans are wonderful on salads--that kind of thing.  I'm sure this is not news to you, I'm just raving about what I like!!

 I also love seeds like sunflower and pumpkin.  I buy them raw, and then stick a couple of tablespoonsful in the toaster oven whenever I make I big salad.  I'll chop up a lot of Romaine, then add some thinly sliced onion and celery and tomato and carrot and whatever else I have.  Then I'll top with a sliced boiled free range organic egg, a couple tbsps raisins, the seeds, maybe beans, and some good quality dressing that is fairly lowfat.  I do try to get a couple of tsps of olive or flaxseed oil into every day.

 I think the key about vegetarians being skinny is all about the ones who shun processed foods.

 PK14ty5

I have been a vegetarian for 13 years...that means no meat, fish or poultry.  Between surgeries and medication and being half Italian and half Irish and eating those food staples I have put on more weight than I EVER thought possible. So no you are not the only Veggie out there battling a weight problem.

 Im a life long veg and sadly about 35 pounds overweight now. I was a skinnyminny until i got married 9 years ago and started matching my hubby with  potions and lots of dairy (he's a meater, and cheese keeps him hppy with my veg meals- i didn't eat much of it or processed veg foods before and slowly as these are part of my diet and an injury that left me unable to excercise for over a year, the weight has crept up. i know what to do but having trouble doing it. im hoping we can keep eachother going! whats your situation.

I've been a vegetarian since day one! I never liked any form of meat as a child and once I found out where it came from, morality struck. It's alot harder to get help losing weight with diet programs because most programs arent sensitive to my needs. I saw a vegetarian weight loss cook book that offered me chicken recipes. No thanks! I just signed up for this, so i guess we'll see....

I hear you loud and clear.  I not 100% but very close and carbs are comfort food when I can't think of what to fix for my meal.  I have 70 pounds to lose and so far 6 pounds off but it is a struggle.  I am also watching sugar and food exchanges, and reducing salt and fats.  Way too much fun.  There are receipes and for the foods I can control myself from eating until gone, I have not been buying them.

PK14ty5, I agree 'processed foods' are a huge part of my weight.  I have been reading labels and learning that low 'whatever' only means more chemical make-believe food fillers.  I just thought the other day we don't get carrots with the carrot tops attached any more...that used to feed my gennie pig.  I shop the parameters of the store where the produce, breads and dairy - real juices are stocked.  I make my own yoguart and have really taken up cooking with ingredients I can pronounce.  It is not easy for Vegetarians.

If you like soymilk and splenda try this recipe.  I love 8th continent  light soymilk.  I also like Splenda.  Try this it is a milkshake type drink.

Recipe:

1 frozen banana cut in half

1 cup light soymilk

3 Tbsp. Splenda

2 Tbsp. Natural Creamy Peanut Butter (Smuckers)

2 Tbsp. Protein Powder

2 tsp. cocoa (if you wany chocolate) or just use chocolate soymilk

1/2 Cup crushed ice (i just throw in about 1/2 tray of ice cubes)

Blend in a blender and you have a shake.  A serving is 8 oz.  There is way more than an 8 oz. serving after making this recipe.  This is very good and I love it. 

Hi,  I just signed up for this program.  I am a vegetarian and I know what you mean about pastries.  I have a problem with that.

Sincerely,

Nelda

Hi, Have you ever tried steveia, all natural sweetner ,no calories