Since becoming a vegetarian I have put on weight? Is this normal?!
I have been a vegetarian for nearly a year now and I have put on weight - which is really annoying me as I thought that if anything I would lose weight! Has this happened to anyone else!?
also, I still find that I need to eat fish every so often, which I know does not make me a vegetarian, but I am trying- can anyone help with an easy vegetarian sandwich filler (to get me away from tuna etc)!.
Thanks!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
also, I still find that I need to eat fish every so often, which I know does not make me a vegetarian, but I am trying- can anyone help with an easy vegetarian sandwich filler (to get me away from tuna etc)!.
Thanks!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
It's not abnormal to have a change in weight when you start a new diet!. Sometimes it doesn't' go the way you expect in the beginning!. But keep with it, you will level off soon enough!.
I would recommend taking a look at what you are consuming in the place of meat!. Being vegetarian does not necessarily mean you are being healthy!. I personnally know several vegetarians who do not consume enough vegetables and greens, even though they don't eat meat!. I know several who are overweight and pale skinned!.!.!. because a lot of junk food doesn not contain meat!.!. so they consider it "okay" to eat!.
Try eating Hemp Hearts!. You can find them at your local health food store!. They are an amazing little seed that has a wonderful texture, and is easy to add to salads, cereals, pasta, etc!. It is packed full of proteins, essential fatty acids and fiber!. They also are exceptionally filling!. I find that if I eat 2-3tbsps in some applesauce for breakfast, I am full until mid afternoon!.
As far as a tuna substitute!.!. I tried Tuno once, and would not reccommend it to anyone!. It was seriously gross!. Instead, try chickpeas!. If you mash them with a fork, and maybe add a bit of powdered kelp to give it a "sea" taste; you can use it for sandwiches by adding veganaise, or make a nice salad with it!.
also, Victoria Boutenko has written several books on vegetarian/vegan/raw food, and I find her research and recipes VERY helpful!. She is an inspiration to many!. You can check her out on this link http://www!.rawfamily!.com/!.
Good luck with your journey, and don't let a few pounds get you down!. Pay attention to your meat substitutes, and to your "junk" intake, and all else will take care of itself!.
Best Wishes,
CynthiaWww@FoodAQ@Com
I would recommend taking a look at what you are consuming in the place of meat!. Being vegetarian does not necessarily mean you are being healthy!. I personnally know several vegetarians who do not consume enough vegetables and greens, even though they don't eat meat!. I know several who are overweight and pale skinned!.!.!. because a lot of junk food doesn not contain meat!.!. so they consider it "okay" to eat!.
Try eating Hemp Hearts!. You can find them at your local health food store!. They are an amazing little seed that has a wonderful texture, and is easy to add to salads, cereals, pasta, etc!. It is packed full of proteins, essential fatty acids and fiber!. They also are exceptionally filling!. I find that if I eat 2-3tbsps in some applesauce for breakfast, I am full until mid afternoon!.
As far as a tuna substitute!.!. I tried Tuno once, and would not reccommend it to anyone!. It was seriously gross!. Instead, try chickpeas!. If you mash them with a fork, and maybe add a bit of powdered kelp to give it a "sea" taste; you can use it for sandwiches by adding veganaise, or make a nice salad with it!.
also, Victoria Boutenko has written several books on vegetarian/vegan/raw food, and I find her research and recipes VERY helpful!. She is an inspiration to many!. You can check her out on this link http://www!.rawfamily!.com/!.
Good luck with your journey, and don't let a few pounds get you down!. Pay attention to your meat substitutes, and to your "junk" intake, and all else will take care of itself!.
Best Wishes,
CynthiaWww@FoodAQ@Com
Protein!. Everyone needs protein, as well as vitamins and minerals!. If you've given up meat (except the occasional fish) then it's likely that you are missing something essential from your diet!. Even though you might eat a normal sized meal, you most likely still feel hungry later, sooner than normal!. So you probably eat again, and still don't get the full nutrition your body is craving!. Most plants won't give you your complete protein on their own, unlike meats which contain the complete protein!. I'm pretty sure beans AND tortilla gives a complete protein, but not one OR the other!.
This isn't to say you have to eat a lot of protein, just make sure you're getting all of the different proteins, vitamins, minerals etc!. Peanut butter is a great sandwich filler, or grilled tofu, or lots of lettuce, or avocado, or a fried hash brown patty is also pretty good (they come frozen or you could make them yourself)Www@FoodAQ@Com
This isn't to say you have to eat a lot of protein, just make sure you're getting all of the different proteins, vitamins, minerals etc!. Peanut butter is a great sandwich filler, or grilled tofu, or lots of lettuce, or avocado, or a fried hash brown patty is also pretty good (they come frozen or you could make them yourself)Www@FoodAQ@Com
It's pretty easy to gain weight as a vegetarian, specifically if you are eating garbage!. Potato chips are vegetarian but they obviously will make a person fat!. Cheese, veganaise, earth balance, some of the tastiest veggie burgers, etc!. are all loaded with fat which also makes them by default quite calorie dense!. Really an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet has just as many calories and as much fat as a meat eater's diet!. A vegan diet has a bit less but also requires very careful planning to ensure nutritional requirements are met!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
You are either consuming too many calories or not consuming enough!. Do you eat your veggies with dip or creamy dressing!? also, when you eat too little you're body stores the calories from your next intake as a means of survival!. You're body doesn't know when it will get enough calories again!. Have you considered a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the protein!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Hmmmm!. Well, I don't really know anything about your diet, so it'd be hard to tell you what would make you gain weight!. Exercise and a balanced diet are important factors in whether you will gain or lose weight!. Check what you're eating, then see how you can make your meals healthier!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
im a vegetarian of 8 years and i like never gain weight im a stick!. you could have cheese sandwich, pb&j sandwich, tofu deli meat sandwich, or a veggie sub yumm xDWww@FoodAQ@Com
Evidently you have replaced meat with more fattening foods!. Probably comfort foods!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Hey!
I'm vegetarian too!.!.!.and I'm surprised to hear that you put on weight!.
Many people assume that by becoming a vegetarian, you automatically become 'healthy'!. This isn't true, of course!. You only need to take a glance at some of the foods available today to see the amount of saturates!. calories and salt they contain!.
There are various factors that could have caused your weight gain:
1) The 'type' of body you have!. You may have heard of the three body types: Endomorph, Mesomorph and Ectomorph!. In case you haven't, and endomorph is a person who puts on weight easily!. Mesomorphs (which most people are, I assume), have normal metabolisms, thus, their weight varies!. Ectomorphs naturally don't put on weight as quickly and are of a thin build!. If you are naturally an endomorph, there is a chance that you may just be putting on weight!.
2) The amount you eat at present!. I used to eat meat too and find that I do get hunger pangs (however, this may be due to my own natural needs etc!.) Don't be overly hassled to eat incredibly healthily-remember that too much of a good thing can be harmful!
With regards to your 'sandwich filler', there are loads of things to choose from, if you want to avoid meat entirely:
1) Houmous-this is a Mediterranean/Turkish chickpea paste!. chickpeas are a natural source of protein and there are many delicious variants to this paste (I would recommend jalapeno houmous)!. As unappetising as the word 'paste' sounds, it is very nice!. You may have to put some extra things in your sandwich as this may not always be enough though!.
2) Peanut Butter-no really, this is a wonderful source of protein and monounsaturates!. Look for healthy varieties (Sunpat is pretty good)!. If you want to put jam/jelly on, it will add more taste to your sandwich!. But if you're concerned about weight gain, look for jam iwth no added sugar ( I recommend St!. Dalfour jam, if it available near you!.) NB!. Don't overload on the peanut butter as it may jam up your insides if eaten in great amounts (to put it lightly ^^)
3) Other savoury spreads include cheese savoury, coleslaw!. Try experimenting at home!. Paninis are delicious sandwichs!. Include other world cuisines-Indian, for instance!. Spicy potato sandwiches!?
Woo!. nice to get that out!.
Hope it helps!
enmimochilaWww@FoodAQ@Com
I'm vegetarian too!.!.!.and I'm surprised to hear that you put on weight!.
Many people assume that by becoming a vegetarian, you automatically become 'healthy'!. This isn't true, of course!. You only need to take a glance at some of the foods available today to see the amount of saturates!. calories and salt they contain!.
There are various factors that could have caused your weight gain:
1) The 'type' of body you have!. You may have heard of the three body types: Endomorph, Mesomorph and Ectomorph!. In case you haven't, and endomorph is a person who puts on weight easily!. Mesomorphs (which most people are, I assume), have normal metabolisms, thus, their weight varies!. Ectomorphs naturally don't put on weight as quickly and are of a thin build!. If you are naturally an endomorph, there is a chance that you may just be putting on weight!.
2) The amount you eat at present!. I used to eat meat too and find that I do get hunger pangs (however, this may be due to my own natural needs etc!.) Don't be overly hassled to eat incredibly healthily-remember that too much of a good thing can be harmful!
With regards to your 'sandwich filler', there are loads of things to choose from, if you want to avoid meat entirely:
1) Houmous-this is a Mediterranean/Turkish chickpea paste!. chickpeas are a natural source of protein and there are many delicious variants to this paste (I would recommend jalapeno houmous)!. As unappetising as the word 'paste' sounds, it is very nice!. You may have to put some extra things in your sandwich as this may not always be enough though!.
2) Peanut Butter-no really, this is a wonderful source of protein and monounsaturates!. Look for healthy varieties (Sunpat is pretty good)!. If you want to put jam/jelly on, it will add more taste to your sandwich!. But if you're concerned about weight gain, look for jam iwth no added sugar ( I recommend St!. Dalfour jam, if it available near you!.) NB!. Don't overload on the peanut butter as it may jam up your insides if eaten in great amounts (to put it lightly ^^)
3) Other savoury spreads include cheese savoury, coleslaw!. Try experimenting at home!. Paninis are delicious sandwichs!. Include other world cuisines-Indian, for instance!. Spicy potato sandwiches!?
Woo!. nice to get that out!.
Hope it helps!
enmimochilaWww@FoodAQ@Com