vegetarain and low carbs?

[oMICHELLEo]

Hi, I'm just getting motivated enough to start dieting and exercise up again after having a slack period I need to lose around 8-10 kilos (height 5 foot 4" and weigh 67 kilos).

I am interested in trying a low carb diet as I know I consume way too many carbs each day, but the thing is I am a vegetarian and as yet I can't seem to find any information on vegetarians being on a low carb diet.

Infact finding any diet that is suitable for vegetarians is a struggle.

So if anyone could help me I'd be very appreciative :)

Michelle

[Leonie]

In my opinion Atkins would be impossible, or at least VERY difficult to do as a vegetarian- it would leave you with very little to eat.

If you are going to be quite active, I would suggest just changing your carb intake, rather than cutting it all together. Eat low GI carbs like grains, brown rice, anything that is more nutrient-dense than white bread and sugar-laden snacks. Up your vegetable intake but try to limit fruit as it is high in sugar.

Apart from that- drink heaps of water, try not to eat anything starchy at night, and get moving!

Hope that helps :).

[SandyJ]

Hi Michelle and welcome.

This question has been asked before. Atkins is not really compatable with vege however this might help.

*edit* the thread linked here was lost when we were hacked put if you do a search you should find more threads plus if you got to the links section of this site you should find more that I hope will help, cheers Sherrie :)

[oMICHELLEo]

Thanks, I think I will just have to modify my carb intake and try eat more protein and see how I go.

I'm sure not eating so much bread will make a huge difference to my weight anyway.

Michelle

[Moonie]

Do you not eat any meat, or do you eat some fish . A friend of mine is a vegetarian, but she eats grilled fish and a lot of eggs.

You would need to cut out pasta as well as the bread and of course the chokkies, bikkies, cake etc.,;)

[Sherrie]

Yes just dump all the proccessed and refined foods, replace potatoes with sweet potatoes, rice with brown rice
If your getting in alot of carbs, eat low to moderate fat but add some good fats.

Good Luck

[oMICHELLEo]

Sorry I should have been a bit more specific.

I dont eat any meat (be it red or white meat). But I do eat eggs, cheese, milk etc, well all dairy products.

So sweet potatoes are an ok carb to eat then? Haven't heard that before I will have to do a bit more research.

I already eat brown rice which is a plus I guess. And try not to have any biscuits or snack foods in the house as if they are in the cupboard I'll eat them.

I dont think I could give up fruit though, which fruits are the better ones to eat if I was to eat any?

Thanks,

Michelle

[LindyJane]

Hi Michelle,

I disagree with people who say that you can not do a vegetarian Atkins

I am a vegetarian and find that LC is not a problem. I have just started back on to my induction phase (as I went a bit wild while on holiday) and have not had any problems finding food to fit my requirements. I do not eat any meat, only eggs and dairy. There are plenty of meat alternatives out there, as well as Tofu and TVP. They might contain some carbs but it is not that many that the diet is impossible to follow.

Just take your time when you are shopping and look at the nutritional values of all the food. You will soon see that it is quite easy

Lindy

[redstar]

Michelle,

I am a vegetarian, and while not doing Atkins, I am doing a similar low carb regime, and it is possible, as long as you are not vegan (vegetarians do not eat fish, they're non red meat eaters).

I use a lot of eggs and cheese in my diet, as well as tofu, and its not too hard, you just have to be a bit creative. To get enough serves of protein a day, you might invest in a high quality soy protein powder for shakes as well - I tend to have one for breakfast.

It takes some getting used to, but its certainly not impossible.

[SandyJ]

Here is a page with some links which highlight why we don't usually recommend that the Atkins diet is compatable with a vegetarian diet.


http://www.rheumatic.org/soy.htm

http://www.mercola.com/2002/jan/16/soy_damage.htm

http://www.stumptuous.com/rantoct2002.html

[oMICHELLEo]

Thanks Lindy Jane and Redstar, it's nice to hear from people that are actually vegetarians successfully managing a LC diet.

I think one of my main problems atm is eating in between meals as it is so much quicker and easier to reach for something thats high in carbs. Something I will have to work on.

Can I just ask for those of you that are vego's on LC diets what sort of items are on your grocery list each week?

I noticed redstar how you mentioned that you have a protein shake for breakfast, probably a good idea, breakfast is one of the meals that I am having trouble thinking of appropriate foods to eat. Not like we are going to whip up a feed of bacon and eggs hey?

Thanks again for all the advice, I have to wait until Saturday to get to the supermarket to stock up on lots of the RIGHT type of foods (right now I am making a loaf of bread, naughty I know, but I haven't started yet, lol).

Michelle

[Sherrie]

Welcome Redstar!

[LindyJane]

Hi Michelle,

Protein shakes are the best for breakfast. Not just because they are so easy but if I am every running late for work I can have it once I am there. My shopping basket consists of eggs, cheese, tofu, meat alternatives, tahini and loads of salad / vegie stuff (ie lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, celery, green beans, broccoli)

You will find that when you are eating 5-6 meals a day, then you don’t get a lot of time to snack in between because for you know it is time to eat again. Also if you concentrate on drinking 3 litres of water every day not only does that fills you up but again it gives you hands something to do other than reach for food.

I would spend some time in the supermarket looking at the different types of foods and their carbs values. Also I would look up some lc recipes and cook them so that you are prepared for the fist week. I found that the fudge was the best as after a few days I was craving chocolate badly and this satisfied me without breaking my induction phase.


Lindy

[redstar]

My typical stuff tends to be:

protein shake for breakfast (and I add some flax seed oil. You could probably add some eggs too if you wanted). My other favourite breakfast is an omlette, usually with mushrooms, a little onion and cheese.

Lunch - given that it's cold at the moment, soup. There is a brocolli and cheddar soup in the recipes section which is great, especially with some cheese sprinkled on top, or with a kavli slice or two. Also I have some muffins I bake and freeze that are a good pre or post lunch snack.

Dinner - curried tofu stirfry is a good standby, as is a big salad with eggs and cheese, or steamed veges with cheese.

For me, the main thing is preparation - I have a big day about once a month and cook a lot and freeze it. I think that's the big key to make it work as a vegetarian, especially since its much harder to buy low carb vegetarian food when out.

So mostly I buy a lot of fresh veges, tofu, some plain yoghurt for desserts (with strawberries etc), cheese and a lot of eggs.

Hope this helps!

[oMICHELLEo]

Lindy and Redstar thankyou so much for sharing that with me.

It's so handy to get the tips and stuff before I go shopping on Saturday so I can prepare a list in advance.

Planning on buying a big bunch of parsley so I can make up a bowl of tabhouli too (but I'll just have to leave out the burghul wheat) which will be yummo. Well actually I'll have to leave out the tomatoes too wont I, lol? Oh well might have ot revise the recipe a bit;) .

I dont think I am going to have to change my diet that much, just eat more vegies and get things prepared in advance and of course stop eating all the breads and stuff. But my diet isn't really too naughty at present so I should be okay. For eg I rarely eat chocolate or lollies so hopefully I wont be tempted too when I start reducing the carbs either.

Michelle.

[redstar]

Michelle,

It's quite an adjustment - in a lot of vegetarian diets there is a lot of reliance on rice, pasta, noodles, breads, etc, but once you get the swing of it, its easy.

Good luck!

[danyka]

Okay, so this thread is a little dead...
BUT for anyone who is searching for vegetarian/vegan links, check out my diary in the link below.
I'm a vegan, and trying to get this to work for me. Any input would be greatly appreciated, and feel free to ask me questions too!
Cheers
D