Vegetarian for 2 weeks and I am still hungry always?!
Answers: I recently became a vegetarian for health reasons. I still have small amounts of dairy and eggs and I take vitamins. I have the starter kit and plenty of great recipes and my diet is great. But the thing is I am still hungry,like all the time. I don't know if what I am eating is not sticking with me or is it my body missing the meat and junk I used to eat? I still eat chicken about once sometimes twice a week since I have only been veggie for 2 weeks. Over a month I plan to take all meat, out of my diet and later take the dairy and eggs out too.. So what can I do to not feel hungry? Should I add more starch or a fat into my diet? By the way, I am not doing this lose weight, I'm 165 at 5'10, But I am doing this for a healthier life. Any real advice from people that know what I am talking about would be great. Any ignorant ones would be funny. Thanks
Some suggestions:
1. Eat things that take longer to leave your stomach - high fiber, bulky foods like whole grain pasta and sprouted grain bread.
2. Eat veggies or salad with your meals, they fill you up without packing on calories.
3. Have a snack or two during the day. Sometimes it's hard to get your daily fruit recommendations as most of the time it doesn't fit in with any meal but breakfast... I mean, how are you going to add fruit to your rice and beans for instance, right? So eat fruit between meals, the fiber will fill you up, and maybe some peanut butter with it or a caramel dip.
4. Try cooking with tofu, maybe you aren't eating a lot of protein. Try other meat alternatives as well - look up recipes for how to MAKE and how to USE seitan. You can make it out of flour at home, and it's safe to make your own!
5. Avoid processed food. This might be just me, but I feel I am more hungry after eating a TV dinner or those fake meat substitutes than if I actually made my own meal.
6. Are you getting enough calories? If you have lost weight over the past 2 weeks, you may not be. Try adding a little salad dressing into a meal, slice some avocado into your sandwich or salad, put toppings on your baked potato (I suggest making baked potatoes and a hearty home-made bean chili... split the potato and pour the chili over it... I'm hungry thinking about it).
i was a vegitarian for over 12 years and started to eat meat again..but one thing i know is that you need to get enough protien. its what makes you feel full. although you probebly eat a ton of veggies, try to buy morning star products or similar. they have alot of protene and will fill you up. i also fell in love with those cheepy bean and cheese burritos to help stay full. a healthier life style is great but make sure you are eating a ballanced meal. try protein bars if you can and shakes, i loved one kind called boost which you can buy at safeway. the chocolate was my fav. flavor. pills dont fill you up but its good your taking them. make sure they have plunty of B12 vit.
Also you are a vegitarian. people get that mixed up with vegan. if you want to be a vegan then good luck because that is extremely hard and i couldnt do that.
Eat wholemeal bread/ pasta etc as these contain slow releasing energy meaning you stay fuller for longer.
Try snacking on large fruit salads with yoghurts and muesli sprinkled on top to add to be goodness and slow released energy.
Increasing portion sizes would also help. Pasta is a good filler, and also having a bowl of porridge in the morning with a banana or fruit smoothie would keep you going until lunch without having to snack. But if you do snack try nuts and seeds with dried fruit.
All things mentioned are extremely healthy and contain slow releasing energy keeping you feeling fuller for longer. I hope i help :)
You really need more protein and are you taking fish oil?
Also, Barilla makes as great whole grain pasta with extra protein and omega 3. It actually has more protein than most meats. I love it.
Good luck in your journey,
Pam
i would guess your body as to adapt to the change...
If you eat chicken you aren't a vegetarian, yet.
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/definitions.h...
If you're hungry you must need to eat more of whatever you're eating. 4-6 healthy meals per day.
Hmm... want to fill up... peanut butter usually does the trick, and its not all that unhealthy. What helps sometimes is to chew a piece of gum when you're hungry and drink water- your body can be tricked if you're still hungry after eating when you have something in your mouth (I'm keeping this as clean as possible). I've done strict athlete diets, and although I don't think I could ever be a veggie, much respect for trying.
Take a multi-vitamin.
You probably aren't getting enough protein thus making you hungry.
Drink water when you feel those hunger pains.
And it might be because you kind of stopped meat cold turkey, just give your body time to adjust.
I had the same kind of thing when i first made the switch. I would feel hungry even after i had eaten and knew that i was full. The good news is it was just a phase, presumably where my body was getting used to the new diet, and after the first month or so i no longer had that problem. Stick to it, have patience.
You are getting some great suggestions here, which hopefully will come in handy!
I just wanted to add, that as you are in the process of making a big dietary change, it is understandable food will be on your mind quite alot, which, in turn, could make you 'think' you are hungry, without realising. As your new way of eating becomes more 'routine', or 'normal' to you, you should find the 'hunger' will subside also.
Good luck =)
I think it is normal to be hungrier when you are vegetarian because you are eating foods that are more readily digested. To avoid feeling hungry all the time, eat a good high fiber breakfast like Kashi Cereal with Soy Milk, Oatmeal, or Red River hot cereal. Make sure your grains are whole grains, not pastas and breads made with white flours. For lunch don't be afraid to load up on tons of fruit and veggies. I have been known to eat four cups of cut up veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, etc (with a little dip to help them go down!!) and one slice of buttered whole grain bread for lunch. (If you eat veggies all the time, they won't make you flatulent). Veggies are so low in calories and so high in nutrients and fiber that you can eat them until you are full and they will do nothing but make you feel great and have energy. Best of luck to you!
Is your stomach literally grumbling for food or are you just craving something substantial?
Munching on a dill pickle can help. The strong vinegar taste cures the munchies right away. If you're hungry try eating substantial things like beans and cheese over rice or something thats going to fill you up.
If you eat chickin, you're not vegetarian.
It's not "eating meat" that is making you tired, you are just not eating right.
Try soy and tofu, it's my main source of protein and i'm NEVER tired and I never feel weak. I'm at my healthiest :) And i've been a real vegetarian for three years, (no chickin lol no fish, cow, or pig).
don't buy into this vegan lifestyle crap....
There is nothing unhealthy or immoral about eating meat. Too much of anything is bad for you and that includes vegetables.
Humans were meant to be omnivores...
Anyone who doesn't believe me should research caveman paintings.... does anyone see any pictures of vegetables on the walls ?
1st you are not a vegetarian. You may be on your way and I think that is great but you cannot really call yourself one yet.
I can't really guess to what you should do because I have no idea as to what you are eating except chicken.
I suggest making a food journal and tracking what you eat in an average day. Take notes as to what time of day you are hungry and what have you.
Are you eating alot of high sugar foods because they can cause a spike and drop in your blood sugars. Which can cause cravings for more sugar rich foods. Just a thought.
Im the same way except I dont eat chicken. Im trying all these new products and everything but honestly idk how to help you b.c i have the same problem lol.