Transitioning into Vegetarianism.

I'm sure this is a very generic question, but my roommate and I have decided to finally go vegetarian.  We're both also in the last stages of losing quite a bit of weight.  We need tips for new vegetarians, especially those focused on keeping our calories and fat in check.  Also, food that is filling is very important, so what are some vegetarian foods that are high in protein and will also keep us full for a while?

Oh yeah and also, are there any dairy companies who provide fat free / low fat alternatives which are know for ethical treatment of their animals?

We're totally green (pun intended ;) ) to all of this, so any information and pointers will help.  Thanks in advance.

~meadow

Beans will be your friends. They are high in protein, filling and can be prepared a million ways. Plus they are easy on the budget!

Tofu is also wonderful for protein and satiety.

To lose weight as a vegetarian, I find that avoiding milk products entirely and using simple fat-free cooking methods - steamed, boiled, raw, roasted, baked - keeps the fat at bay. I avoid too refined starches and stick to whole grains when I can.

This is some helpful starter info. I refer to it regularly. Hope this help!

http://www.vegetariantimes.com/2007/pdf/veget arian_starter_kit.pdf

Thanks for the info!!

that article is just what i needed.  i'm in the middle of reading it right now.   thanks.

why should i avoid milk products?  is it because they're high in fat, and if so what about low-fat and fat free products.  or, is it because of some other reason like slowing down digestion. 

also, and this may seem silly... if i eat a lot of beans will i get really gassy, or will my body get used to them?

why is everyone worried about gas.. gas is your buddy, just learn to use it wisely.

remember most weight is caused by a impacted colon...  gas will help break that up and so will the raw veggies also...

steaming is an art.. read about it.

(i use a super pot, it's great..   too easy too..  i'm not complaining)

dairy is crap...  it's packed full of chemicals...  get soy products.. they're chemical fortified also but not as bad... or the effects aren't as devistating.  (with my experience)

besides.. vegetarians who talk about their ovo or lacto..  aren't vegetarians..   it's meat, fat..  will make you fat.. give you cholesterol issues.

(i know, i had to take lipitor for a long time then i gave up the crapola dairy too)

watch out for the triglycerides in some breads and other soy products.. read those labels.

don't worry about the gas...   if you must a silent but deadly.. just glare at the guy next to you and then walk away.

:D

you're on the right track and don't worry about the protein thing.. protein is unavoidable it's in everything like with sodium and sugar.. it's everywhere!

your digestive system will get used to beans after awhile... i eat beans on a daily basis and i'm not gassy.

oh, and soy beans are the most genetically modified crop in the world, so just because it's soy doesn't mean it's healthy. make sure you know exactly what you're buying.

I avoid milk products because I was mainly enjoying them in the form of lovely French full-fat cheeses. In addition to increasing my girth, I discovered they totally messed up my digestion. My gas came not from beans, but from cheese.

That, plus milk's not for us but for baby cows and dairy cows are pumped full of drugs and other chemicals. I can pass on all that, thanks.

When I stopped eating cheese, eggs, and meat, substituted beans for bread, and revised my cooking habits to avoid too much oil, I lost 5.5 kg (12 lbs) in 2 months. Now I weigh what I weighted when I got married 18 years ago. :-)

don't eat dairy. it has casein in it, which is the most powerful carcinogen humans regularly consume. you'll end up with a tumor (if you survive long enough). i'm not kidding.

eat straight up fruit and veggies and the occasional seed or nut. you'll be full in no time. plant foods have more than enough vitamins, minerals, and protein by themselves.

ps: tofu is overrated. it's a scheme to replace the meat that we never needed in the first place. if you want soybeans, eat edamame, sparingly. too much protein = disease. it's really that simple, (see The China Study by T. Colin Campbell for case studies and laboratory tests on protein intake).

hi there,

i've been a vegetarian for about 10 years now and contrary to what some people on this board say...i still get the gas! and so does my boyfriend who has been a veggie longer than i.

beano is your friend in this case. for us, it is after eating broccoli, soy products, beans or quorn (which is a meat alternative and tastes like chicken).

i still consume dairy, mostly lowfat and skim milk. i do enjoy soy milk with a bannana as a snack.

also, i would be wary of eating too much soy in one day...i did and became pretty ill. i was nauseous for an evening but that was enough!

i get most of my protein from milk/eggs/soy products. there is also a protein fortified special k that tastes cinnamon-y. yum!

I would like to reiterate.  Reading labels is important.  Not to bum you out about the gas thing, but I chose to just deal with it. 

Beano is not vegetarian.  If I remember correctly, last time I checked the label it contained gelatin.  :(

yeah we knew about the gelatin in beano, but it's been the only thing that helps so we made a concession!

gelatin is the one thing they sneak in far too many products.

i'm vegan and gas free, maybe it's dairy making you gassy? regardless, everyone's body reacts differently.

you can buy specialty vitamins and things that would normally contain gelatin if you want to avoid it. the only thing i've seen it in is pills, candy, or jello type products... what else is it in?

Well, I just ate bean and cheese enchiladas last night with no problem.  I've never been a very gassy person anyway, so I'm going to hope that it stays that way. 

I am interested in cutting the dairy out, but I want to do this gently so I don't get scared away or overwhelmed... 

What about yogurt, though?  I've always been a big advocate for a low sugar yogurt with all those healthfull live and active cultures.  It seems to me like its one dairy product that's actually good for digestion, no?  If so, are there some brands known for their humane treatment of their milk cows?  And if not, then do people just take acidophilus (etc.) supplements?

Ok, that's all I have for now...

so, eleanorraylward, are you saying that all those Hindus in India who eat dairy products every single day of their lives, have tumors? All those French & Italian cheese makers? Somehow I don't think so.

There are many reasons for not wanting to consume animal products, but fear shouldn't be one of them.

You seem so angry all the time.  There's no need for that.  Relax!

I know about those concessions  :(  It is everywhere.  bums me out. On one hand I guess I am glad that if they are killing animals, it is a good thing that nothing goes to waste, but keep it out of my things!!!!  I wish that there was better food labeling.  They have to list shellfish and peanuts, but they don't list foods derived from animal products.  makes me mad.