Being a vegetarian

hi everybody

i decided to become a vegetarian to help me lose weight

i dont know if it is a good idea but i i am commited, since being a vegetarian 

i have lost 5 pounds, i would like to have some feedback or advice

but i feel that being a vegetarian, i now eat more fruits/vegetables

and is more enrgetic at the gym

Good I guess. But what are your plans for protein? And it will be hard to maintain. I have cut down to almost no red meat and I have chicken once and a while. I cut back accidentilly as I cut calories and tried to reduce fats. After a few months I realized my meat consumption has dropped.

It won't be hard to maintain.  You can get protein from legumes, nuts, soy products, all kinds of things.  Did you have any questions?

i'm sorry if this sounds mean but i hate when people automatically assume that a vegetarian diet = weight loss...it doesn't. if you like meat then eat it...choose lean sources of protein and you're fine. vegetarianism is turning into this huge fad...and myself...being a vegetarian for most of my life, get very irritated by these attempts because then people assume that those of us who are vegetarian for other reasons are also doing it for weight loss. i'm venting and i apologize but seriously...meat can be just as low cal as some of the vegetarian options...so if you like it then eat it. you should use vegetarianism as a weight loss tactic...that's just my opinion.

I have to agree with chrissy1988. It bothers me that people will decide irrationally about becoming a vegetarian just to loose weight. In my opinion it is a drastic lifestyle change that should be taken extremely seriously. Also, think about the day you reach your goal, are you going to continue being a vegetarian? Returning meat into a diet can make you gain weight because you're introducing sustainable fats into your body. To avoid this, just eat your meats but in moderation, or just have vegetarian nights and call it a day. Hope this helps.

Original Post by chrissy1988:

i'm sorry if this sounds mean but i hate when people automatically assume that a vegetarian diet = weight loss...it doesn't..

 Absolutely...  It's also no guarantee of a healthier diet.  I know quite a few fat, unhealthy-looking vegetarians for that to be a given.  I'd suggest no-one embarks on a vegetarian diet without first having a good working knowledge of nutrition basics and preferably some cooking skills.  Otherwise it's too easy to try living on cheese sandwiches and veggie ready-meals.

I agree with a lot of what yall have said, but I think being a vegetarian really isn't a big enough deal to feel it can be a bad choice... seriously is it less healthy than the special k or slim fast diets? LOL.  Also, I became veg for animals, straight up, and weight loss was just a happy accident.

With that disclaimer, IMHO!  I was vegetarian for 4 years, lost a little weight.  I became vegan and have been for another 5 years now, and lost AN INSANE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT.  Not quickly, slow and steady.  And I have always eaten my fair share of food.  I have so far lost a total of 150 lbs. 

Anyone who knows a little about cooking can find all kinds of fake stuff (fake meats, ice cream, sour cream, cheese, soymilk etc) and be vegan. It is not hard to be healthy with it if you cook for yourself or just eat food from other cultures-italian, mexican, asian foods all have lots of vegan options.

If anyone needs any tips with this just mess. me. After 5 years I know the gross vegan foods from the good stuff and a million recipes too.

I became a vegetarian in 1985 and continued for 5 years.   I really missed meat and went back to the omnivore life.   Some interesting facts about my weight/health during these years:

then - weight:   125-128,    now, all these years later - weight:  128-133

cholesterol - then:  147,   now -  149.   My health/blood work/strength is actually better now -  and I'm 60 years old!!!

Being a vegetarian will not guarantee weight loss.  BE CAREFUL and get plenty of protein - you must have it to be healthy, along with right amount of carbs.

Good luck.

hello

once again thank you for all the comments and advice

that i got from everybody i appreciate, i know that being a vegetarian 

does not automatically equal losing weight, it is a decision a took for myself,

i have been a vegetarian for 30 days and i plan to continue after i have reach my goal

thank you again for your comments

Hi! I think its GREAT that you are attempting vegetarianism. I was a vegetarian for six years, and a vegan for three. These days I eat meat 1-2 times a week, mostly because I grew tired of it. I have never been healthier than I was when I was a vegan, simply because I cooked all my own food, counted servings to make sure that I got enough protein, iron and other nutrients. Vegetarianism isn't something that makes you skinny, but it's a great way to find a healthier way to eat, and to learn what's good for you.

Things that is good to think about as a vegetarian:

Take vitamins. There are special types for vegetarians, that gives you extra boosts of iron and B12, and more.

Nuts and seeds are great. Put some ground flax seeds in your oatmeal, and add walnuts or cashews in stirfries and sauces. It adds some calories per serving, but makes you feel stronger and healthier because they have a lot of good stuff in them.

Nutritional yeast is great to add flavour and nutritents to your food. You can buy it in the form of yellow flakes at your natural food store. I always add this to sauces and soups.

Good luck! I hope you stick with it!

I agree with the vitamin part be sure to take a B12 supplement!!I do not find it difficult to maintain a healthy and balanced diet while being a vegetarian and I have been for years. There are tons of meat alternative products that are actually very tasty and provide plenty of protein. People always seem to bring up protein when you become a vegetarian but I have never had a problem getting enough and I don't have to spend that much time paying attention to it either. Don't forget tofu too, it gets a bad rep but it is amazingly versatile and can be marinated to taste like just about anything. I have a tofu cookbook from the 70s which I think was the best yard sale buy ever, lol! It has tons of unique and delicious ways to make vegetarian meals that feel like they are chock full of meat. Good luck on your new lifestyle!