I've been a vegetarian since 1995; 90% of my meals are vegan, I eat fish 1-2x a year, will eat bread that has milk and eggs in it, and will sometimes eat an egg. Prior to two car accidents I was a body builder and have learned how to get up to 120 g of Protein on a vegetarian diet without using dairy or eggs.

I have dozens of vegetarian recipes, resources, and 16 years of experience for anyone interested in vegetarianism.

As for being a vegan 100% of the time, I love cheese and just haven't found an ideal goat cheese substitute. There are great regular cheese substitutes for those wondering.

So if you would like to talk about being vegetarian maybe this topic will help.

Hi Acadia!

I am a former lacto-ovo vegetarian (for 5-6 years) in the late 1990's-early 2000's. I have not eaten red meat since I was in college 20 years ago. Now I mostly eat fish and some poultry, dairy and soy products for my Protein. One of the dietitians strongly suggested not to go back to a vegetarian/vegan diet post WLS. However somewhere down the line I'd like to cut back even more on my animal intake. I'd love to see some of your resources.... add me as a friend if you wish And congrats on your surgery!!!

Susan

Thank you Susan.

I would be very curious why a Dr would suggest not being vegetarian after WLS, it's so easy to be vegetarian these days. And you can get more than enough Protein, which is usually the concern. I was a body builder and regularly got 100-120 g per day, only supplemented with a single protien drink after my workouts (40 g) three days a week. Once you know everything has protein, including fruits and vegetables, it's easier to get those numbers up. Tools like The Daily Plate help as well as they track it for you and you can enter on the go.

I regularly eat ground soy (tacos, shepherds pie, Macaroni/tomato/fake beef, ground turkey patties), stuffed chick'n breasts from Trader Joe's, chick'n patties for a high protein snack, veggie hot dogs, burgers, seasoned and fried tofu (5 lbs of tofu only uses a total of 2-3 tbsp of oil)**, etc. And that doesn't even include Beans, which are great mixed with pretty much anything.

It's just so easy not to eat meat these days but still get all of your nutritional needs met.

** I'll post the recipe if anyone is interested in it, it was inspired by the tofu preparation at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, the tofu can be frozen, thawed, and microwaved and added to anything for protein.

I eat fish but no pork, red meat, or poultry. Everyone said that type of diet would be hard with a band however I average 80-95 g of protein everyday and don't worry about all the unhealthy fat and other crap in meat. I always feel refreshed after eating meals and I don't get that rolly polly, can't walk, just want to sleep feeling that many people that eat meat get after a meal. I post tons of recipes on my blog (many of them veggie, and some with seafood). Check it out if you're looking for some ideas (URL is in my signature).

The fact that red meat, pork, fish, and chicken (all animal proteins) take up to 3 days to completely digest was enough to keep me vegetarian (in addition to so many other things).

I'll check out your blog, I'm always keen to try new vegetarian recipes.

I'm really interested in vegetarianism. I started out by buying veggie patties, vegan hot dogs, etc. But one of my big concerns is protein intake. Any suggestion on that and maybe a good recipe book?

I've been a vegetarian for 2 1/2 years. I'm glad to see that there are others out there in the band world! I was beginning to think I was the only one! Everyone says, "when's the last time you saw a fat vegetarian?" but in fact I was plenty fat before I became vegetarian. I actually lost about 20 pounds just by cutting meat. My nutritionist pre-op was not happy that I wasn't going to include meat in my post-op diet. I just told her that I had no intention of changing that part of me and that she would just have to be creative and figure out a meal plan where I got enough Protein. I eat a lot of meat substitutes (boca, morningstar, tofu, gardein) and have never had a problem meeting my protein requirement. I do still drink organic milk and eat some chesse. I will eat things that are made with eggs, but I don't eat eggs by themselves. I would love to turn completely vegan one day. It would be great to hear any new resources you may have. I'm always looking for new recipes.

I eat fish and organic free-range dairy but no other animal products. I've been doing so for over two years. I am also interested in recipes and sharing ideas. Right now I am loving Quorn Chik'n Patties. I don't generally use or like meat substitutes because I don't want to feel like I'm eating animal products but for some reason Quorn products are ok.

Maybe we can convince the powers that be to create a subforum for us?

I'm really interested in vegetarianism. I started out by buying veggie patties, vegan hot dogs, etc. But one of my big concerns is Protein intake. Any suggestion on that and maybe a good recipe book?

Hey Maria - That's great that you're interested in being vegetarian! There are many easy things that you can do to start. You can basically take any of your recipes that you would make with chicken, red meat, etc and substitute tofu or seitan in for the meat protein. Tofu is very easy to cook with, and to some degree, takes on the flavor of whatever its in (although I think that it still does have a taste). Try to look for Organic vegetarian items and soy items that specify non-GMO ingredients (anything that is organic will not use GMO soy so go for the organics). I don't really use specifically vegetarian cookbooks, but I just swap out the meat for a soy protein (or seafood...I still eat seafood).

Here are some recipes from my blog if you want to get creative: Noodless Veggie Lasagna , Cabbage salad with Peanut Dressing and Tofu Shrimp Skewers (omit the shrimp for completely veg), Edamame Burgers (one of my favorite things to make - there are a lot of steps in this recipe but its SO worth it!)

I've been a vegetarian for 2 1/2 years. I'm glad to see that there are others out there in the band world! I was beginning to think I was the only one! Everyone says, "when's the last time you saw a fat vegetarian?" but in fact I was plenty fat before I became vegetarian. I actually lost about 20 pounds just by cutting meat. My nutritionist pre-op was not happy that I wasn't going to include meat in my post-op diet. I just told her that I had no intention of changing that part of me and that she would just have to be creative and figure out a meal plan where I got enough protein. I eat a lot of meat substitutes (boca, morningstar, tofu, gardein) and have never had a problem meeting my protein requirement. I do still drink organic milk and eat some chesse. I will eat things that are made with eggs, but I don't eat eggs by themselves. I would love to turn completely vegan one day. It would be great to hear any new resources you may have. I'm always looking for new recipes.

Good for you for sticking to your guns! It is totally more than possible to get in enough protein on a vegetarian diet. I would just encourage everyone to seek out organic ingredients and products that use non-GMO ingredients. Better for your body, better for the farmers, and better for the earth.

The fact that red meat, pork, fish, and chicken (all animal proteins) take up to 3 days to completely digest was enough to keep me vegetarian (in addition to so many other things).

I'll check out your blog, I'm always keen to try new vegetarian recipes.

Thanks Acadia! Yea, I would love to swap recipes and ideas. I'm constantly cooking and always looking for new and creative ideas!

I'm really interested in vegetarianism. I started out by buying veggie patties, vegan hot dogs, etc. But one of my big concerns is Protein intake. Any suggestion on that and maybe a good recipe book?

You can definitely get enough protein. I rely heavily on Beans, legumes, meat substitutes, and tofu for protein but even fruits and vegetables have protein. Peanut Butter is a great way to get protein in a very tasty snack. I also sub my diet with half of an Isopure Zero 30 minutes before working out then the rest within 15 minutes of working out. That's an extra 40 g each day I work out. And if I make Jello for a dessert I use Isopure as the cold Water to make a high protein jello (1/4 pkg serving will have an extra 4 grams of protein made this way).

The Daily Plate is a great tracking tool to make sure you're getting enough protein.

Use it for a few days to see if you're getting enough.

Everyone says, "when's the last time you saw a fat vegetarian?"

Everytime I look in the mirror

Most people aren't healthy vegetarians, they eat a lot of white rice, white Pasta, white bread and don't eat enough soy, legumes, Beans, complex carbs, and non refined products. It all comes down to food choices. Even a vegan can be fat and unhealthy.

The only diet guaranteed not to make you fat is a non processed and raw vegan diet. Pure fruits, veggies, legumes, and mildly cooked grains. You simply cannot consume enough calories to gain weight on that type of diet without some processed food additions (like sugar or refined flours).

Ultimately it's about what you eat and the quantity. Eat more healthy and natural foods and fewer indulgent foods and you're golden -- and satisfied!

CheckYes- I like Quorn products as well Morningstar Farms products are my other stand by...

And I too think we should ask for a sub forum for veggies!

Acadia I'd like to get back to cooking with tofu (it's been years!)... am not a great cook but used to use in stir fry and casseroles on occasion.

Has anyone ever had tempeh or seitan? I hear they are good sources of Protein as well.

I love both tempeh and seitan. I don't eat them at home often as I'd like, but they make a great meal. They are both great sources of protein... seitan is wheat protein and tempeh is made from soy. Good stuff!

The silken tofu is excellent to add to Protein shakes, it gives them a really nice smooth and creamy texture and you get some good fat and added protein.

How have the other vegetarians / vegans in here found dining out after WLS?

Normally I would eat things like Thai, Vietnamese, Sushi, Falafel, but those all have things that I shouldn't eat now due to the potential for sticking (falafel and rice especially).

eating out has been tough. I haven't found much at restaurants except salads. Well, I may be able to tolerate italian food, but I'm really trying to stay away from the pasta. What I'm really enjoying when I go out is mexican food that is bean based. I don't have much trouble with rice but again, I'm trying to stay away.