Any other vegetarian WW's???

[rincaro]

I think I'm gonna post a thread in the buddy section as well, but I was looking for folks who were vegetarian/vegan and on Weight Watchers.

Anyone? Bueller? :D

[ginakathryn]

hi there! i am a veggie off an on. i really try never to eat meat but i get so sick when i don't. my boyfriend is a strict veggie. i made a promise to myself that i was going to back to my veggie ways after palm sunday (this coming up sunday). i would like to know any tips you have on being on WW and being a veggie. i know it sounds silly but i think life is so much more simple when you cut meat out of it. i'm not a total animal lover like my boyfriend, but i am totally against the inhumane ways in which animals are slaughtered. ok, i'm rambling. i'm looking forward to chatting with you and all the other veggies out there. are there any?? graemlins/wave.gif

[rincaro]

You get sick when you don't eat meat? Hmmmm.... maybe you're not getting enough protein from soy, beans, etc.

I'm just getting started eating points on vegetarian. If I could go strict vegan (no dairy or eggs) it would be way easier because alot of the tempting stuff (like milk chocolate) would be off limits!

[ March 31, 2004, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: rincaro ]

[ginakathryn]

yes, i get very dizzy and feel like i'm going to faint all the time. my dr. says it has nothing to w/ me being a veggie. but, i know it ONLY happens when i haven't eaten meat for a month. i think it's lack of iron, i'm pretty sure get enough protein.

what is your menu usually like for the day??

[rincaro]

Typical Day:

Breakfast: Granola w/silk or a luna bar
Lunch: TVP Tacos
Snack: Fruit Leather & a soy yogurt
Dinner: Beans & Rice with fruit salad

Basically I tried to include something higher protein at each meal like the tvp or the beans. I eat alot of leftovers for lunch and stick to whole grains. Are you taking any supplements?

[ginakathryn]

what's tvp? i'm horrible at initials. haha. i don't even know what DH means that everyone is always talking about.

no, don't take supplements. i HATE taking pills so unless they are chewable like the viactiv calcium squares, i can't do it.

[rincaro]

TVP is textured vegetable protein. You can get it at the health food store. When you re-hydrate it, it is like unflavored ground beef texture. Mix it with taco seasoning and voila! TVP tacos!

And TVP is cheap points. A 1/2 cup (dry) is 120 calories, 8g of fiber, and 0g of fat. And it has 23g of protein in it! With the fiber cap it is 1.6 points! We usually make one cup dry for the whole family, mixed with 1/2 of a packet of Old El Paso taco seasoning.

[SSKatie]

Hi! I'm not a strict vegan, but I rarely eat red meat, and eat lots of whole grains, beans, TVP, soy, etc. (I eat poultry & occasionally fish). I used to be a red meat freak, but for the last 2 years, I've very little of it. I used to think that I would die without lots of red meat for all the protein, iron, etc. but I've apparently been pretty successful with my food combinations because I feel better than ever! Of course, I take a few supplements, too. I also rarely have indigestion, whereas I use to have it DAILY! So, just thought I'd throw that in for those who think that lots of meat is necessary to be healthy!

[p.c.]

hey there! i eat a mostly veggie diet, but do partake in fish about 2X a month, so can't call myself a vegetarian. but i love to trade recipes since i cook vegetarian the other 28 days a month!! i get my protein from kashi cereal, love the legumes served over whole grains, cottage cheese and yogurt and milk, and all soy products (tofu, edamame, soy cheese, etc). I was worried about the amount of protein i was getting, so i added up the protein grams one day from EVERYTHING i ate (bread, etc) and was pleasantly surprised! it really all adds up. and if it doesn't for you, then you need to do some better meal planning. if you choose to be veggie, then you have to be responsible to your body.

[suzie_lightning]

Yup, I'm another eat-chicken-and-fish-occassionally type of person, but I'm mostly veggie. I made this decision a few months ago and I feel really good, both physically and mentally. :D

[corinne54]

I eat fish once or twice a week, so I guess I'm technically a pescatarian. I eat lots of soy, and beans and try to limit my cheese and egg consumption.

[ginakathryn]

hey rincaro, thanks for the tvp info. it sounds great and i will definatly pick it up this week at whole foods!

[Jimeezgirl]

Hi, I am a vegetarian. I have not eaten any kind of meat in 4 years.

[wwbabe]

I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian.

I tried being vegan, but I just didn't feel well. Frankly, I do better on animal protein, but I'll never eat meat, fish or poultry. I do eat eggs, dairy, beans, etc. I get lots of good protein this way and feel great.

Actually, it took me a long time to discover that the more protein I ate, the better I felt. So now I eat good quality vegetarian protein along with my fruits, veggies, and limited amounts of grains. I just feel great eating this way.

[Moonbeams11]

Originally posted by corinne54:
I eat fish once or twice a week, so I guess I'm technically a pescatarian.Is that what it's called? tongue.gif That's what I do, too. I was a strict vegetarian for many, many years but for the past couple years I've been eating fish occasionally.

[Veggie Supreme]

I am a vegetarian too...infact, I've never ever eaten meat. I still managed to get a little overweight by eating too many white carbs. But, Otherwise I'm as healthy as anyone else. My entire family does not eat meat, and all of us are taller than average(just to show that animal protein does not make you taller/healthier :rolleyes: ). I wish I did eat fish, given all the health benefits but eating any kind of meat is against my religion and so, I try to eat a lot of soy products and cheese(yum!) on a daily
basis graemlins/wave.gif

[SSKatie]

Do you guys take supplements, and, if so, what kind? Do you have certain foods/food combinations that you try to get in daily/weekly to make sure you get all your nutritional needs? Or do you simply go by how you feel? Just curious, and would appreciate any advice in this area. smile.gif

I'm almost 50 and take a multi for seniors, fish oil, extra E, extra calcium, (and glucosamine/chondroitin for my joints).

[Veggie Supreme]

katie,
I make sure i eat a lot of soy products(like boca, tofu chicken nuggets etc). i feel I really need the soy to keep me from overeating. I also take a multi everyday graemlins/wave.gif

[cobalt80]

I'm a vegan.

Started as a vegetarian in like '89 (when I was 9), gave up dairy when I was 15 and eggs when I was 17. I'm 23 now, so vegan for 6 years. Couldnt be happier, will NEVER go back. smile.gif

[rincaro]

I started feeling a little pooky. I don't know if it was from going veggie or from moving to Florida and adjusting the temp.

I take Floradix (an iron/herb liquid supplement) a multi, and I try to eat a good variety. I feel much better now! smile.gif

[DocChipmunk]

Hi all! I'm a long time veggie! I decided at age 11 that I hated meat, and thankfully my parents are really kind and understanding. I haven't had meat since. I might get sick once every 2 years, but I am basically healthy.
Typical day:
Khashi cereal
Boca burger or hot dog
Chinese or Thai food or salad or tofu and veggies
I'm in school, so I eat out way too much. But when I bring something, it's usually a peanut butter sandwich, and I know I need veggies.

[wwbabe]

Count me in!

Lacto-ovo vegetarian here!

[maria_nino]

Hi, my name is Maria and I'm a vegetarian on Weight Watchers. I have been a vegetarian all of my life - believe it or not I have never even tasted meat before. I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian and do not eat any type of meat including fish or basically any other "animal". Actually the reason why I have never even tried meat is because my father is a vegetarian and would never let my sisters, brother, and I eat meat and I guess it just stuck. I'm 23 years old and I have been on weight watchers since 4/19/04 and have lost 29 lbs so far ! :-D I haven't had any problems with doing weight watchers and being a vegetarian, but its nice to see there are other people out there like me ;-)

Maria
246.2/217.2/130

[yumpump]

I turned into a vegetarian at the age of 5. I joined WW 2 days ago (11/15/04)
Now i am 23.
Lacto Vegetarian to be specific.
I am horrible with anything related to food,,,...and far far away from being able to cook ..but when i do its so healthy and bland...i have recently started using some spices and condiments...any tips..and recipes suggestiosn buddies?


SW 173.02
GW 10% - 156.02

[CHARLUK]

Hi ya!

Vegetarian of 17 years here. Would love to hear from fellow Weight Watchers and Vegetarians also!

Thanks!

:angel :angel :angel

[LoserJen]

Hi buddies - I'm also a vegetarian doing WW! At least I consider myself one -- but some wouldn't since I started incorporating fish back into my diet three years ago. But I've been lacto-ovo veggie for over 12 years. I'm so glad to have found WW, because stuff that I have enjoyed for years is "allowed" on WW, and often low in points (my favorite are Morningstar Farms products). Since starting WW, I have found a new friend in my crock pot, lol. I love to make vegetarian soups in it because it is so easy and delicious. It's made me feel like I can cook, lol! My DH loves to come home and smell food cooking, too! :exercise2
Have you decided to do Flex or Core? They recommended the Core at my center when they found out I am a vegetarian, but I just couldn't trust myself with no counting. :embarrass Besides, I love that I can still go out to eat when I want to.

[amberlogger]

Nice to Meet You!
I just read this thread and there were about 3 or 4 of you who said you started being veggie when you were young. I stopped eating anything on the bone when I was about 7 and by the time I was 12 I would not eat any meat or eggs or animal biproducts if the animal was killed for it. In other words I have always eaten dary.
I'm 24 now and I do eat eggs mostly because I live in Italy and there is a very limmited amount of Veggie "meat" products and products containing veggie protein here. Many of the italians don't even know what a vegitarian is, they think it is someone who like veggies rather than dosen't eat meat.
Anyway, the point is that I thought it was sort of strange to have stopped eating meat as a child. The only other person I have met who stopped before highschool is my sister. Though I know a few who have always been veggie and have veggie parents.

[Minus]

Hey there folks. I'm new to WW, vegetarian for over 15 years, actually vegan, although my downfall is bakery goods which knock me off the vegan wagon now and then. When people ask me what I eat I usually just say I don't eat anything with a face. I hate the big deal people make when they find out you're a vegetarian and start asking all kinds of personal questions. I'm always tempted to ask them if they know what that hamburger and french fries they're eating is doing to their body and the planet.

I'm doing the core plan, and find it fairly easy - I do miss the bread, but I won't miss the 8 pounds I have lost so far!

Anyway, one thing I've noticed in many of the discussions and even in this thread is a concern about protein. Fact is that it is almost impossible to not eat enough proteins. If you are eating healthy whole grain food and fresh vegatables you get more protein than you need. When I tell people I don't eat dairy, they say but you need it for vitamin x, y and z. I just say, "I get 'em them the same place the cow gets 'em."

I don't want to go on too long here, but I am happy to find this group and plan to stay for a bit. I look forward to exchanging vegetarian WW experiences with you all.

[rincaro]

I'm bumping this! Looking for other vegetarian WW'ers and big hellos to everyone here!

I'm gonna try to start posting more recipes with point counts for veggies - all of the recipes I cook are vegan although I can't say I'm a perfect vegan.

Hope everyone is doing well! :D

[hugbarbara]

I am a vegetarian WW. I keep a food journal spreadsheet recording my daily intake of protein, carbs, fat and fiber plus points. I eat eggs, dairy, whole grains, dry beans and Quorn, Worthington and some Morningstar "meatless" products. I have never been at a loss for enough protein. I do not like the taste of red meat, poultry, or seafood. I will on rare occassion eat rainbow trout. My doctors have always been thrilled when I tell them I am a vegetarian. Even with being obese, I have good blood test results and a very strong heart. I have hypertension that is treated with meds. I have been able to cut them in half after losing over fifty pounds and the doctor says I will eventually be able cut them out completely if I continue to shed the pounds.

[KittyPaws]

Hello,

I just found this group and thought it would be nice to be able to get together with like-minded people. I have been a vegan for a little over 6 months and just recently joined weight watchers. I lok forward to sharing information with everyone.

=^..^=

[rincaro]

Hi Kitty! Hi Barbara!

I'm mostly vegan myself and working on my personal vegan collection of low-point recipes. I need to go post something else in the recipe area.

[Joyfulgirl]

I've been a vegetarian for 10 years, vegan for 4. I was raised in a vegetarian family so it was pretty easy for me to make the transition to veganism. I take a multi-vitamin just in case and sublingual B-12, but I find that a well-balanced diet usually gives me all of the nutrients I need. I've been anemic my entire life and it's actually improved in the past 4 years(probably because I pay more attention to what I eat now.)

WW is easier as a vegan, until you find out about things like dark chocolate, Newman's O's, and Butter Pecan Soy Dream. Then it's back to portion control and having others hide the good snacks from you.

Rincaro, please do post those recipes! I usually convert all of the WW recipes I find to vegan ones, but I'm always looking for good low-points recipes that I can use as-is.

[rincaro]

Bumping this up with my big ole hip! Where are all my veggie buddies??

Things I have had for dinner this past week (or will have later this week) - lemme know if you want the recipe. Everything I cook at home is vegan, although we're just strict veggies:

Tuscan White Bean Stew w/a side salad and a good hunk of crusty bread!

Breakfast for dinner - tofu scrambler, biscuits w/gimme lean sausage gravy

Tomato Pesto & Spinach "cheez" pizzas

Homemade seitan w/mashed taters, corn & gravy

Broccoli Risotto w/shiny black beans

VLT's ("vacon", lettuce & tomato sandwiches) w/panfried quinoa & corn

Burritos stuffed with beans, "cheez" & seasoned tvp, served w/a side salad

[Newliferva]

Hi Corrina,
I eat a lot of veggies too. But I love cheese and fish so I guess I am not a strict vegatarian. I eat a lot of Boca crumbles and beans too! I make Tacos out of the crumbles and it is only 2 points per taco!! I shyed away from trying WW because I thought they ate Chicken so much. Now that they have a more vegetarian friendly attitude I am so there!!
Have an OP day!!

Katie

[rincaro]

Hi Katie! :bcbsalute

I've found that almost all of the meat subs we enjoy are very low point. Boca vegan burgers, seitan, tofu, tvp, etc. So that helps tremendously. I'm working on day 5 of 100% OP. Have a great day!

[EmilyHell]

Hi! I'm a veggie too. I really like nutritional yeast as a substitute for cheese. yummy on popcorn, toast, salads. Dairy's definately my downfall. I love cheese and ice cream. but i'm working it out.

[rincaro]

Hi Emily!

We do have cheese once in a while around here, but although my youngest son loves dairy, it does *not* love him. So that makes it easier.

We had popcorn with nutritional yeast sprinkles just yesterday for snack!

I make a killer "cheez" sauce with a nut yeast base if you'd like the recipe. I use it in taco filling, on pizza, etc.

[EmilyHell]

I would love your "cheez" sauce recipe, Corrina! thanks!

Emily

[travelingop]

Hi There..
I thought I would join this thread as well. I have been vegetarian for 9 years and like many of you.. cheese is my downfall. I can honestly say, I would probably choose it over chocolate!
I purchased the WW Vegetarian cookbook and it is WONDERFUL! Everything I have make from there has been really tasty and there is no thinking about the points!
I also eat veggie burgers, FF cheese to get my fix, FF cottage cheese, TVP, egg beaters and I try to eat the 0 point veggie soup for lunch.

Hope those ideas are helpful,
Elizabeth

[PinkGlttr]

Hey just wanted to pop on and say I have been veg for what is going on 8 years now... wow

That's almost half of my life!

[Kayleigh6]

Hi Buddies, I've been vegetarian for 11 days, and back OP. I'm still learning the vegetarian lifestyle, and so far have only cut out animal flesh and some by-products. I have not tried new vegetables, tofu, etc. Once I get a handle on it, I will definitely try new foods. I'm just trying to do the best I can for my health, the animals, the environment, etc.

I would love to share recipes, menus and such with other vegetarian WW's also. I belong to an awesome veggie board, but need BCB to help with weight loss.

So, a big HELLO to you from another vegetarian WW!