Hi

Just trying to get my head around all the preparations and my future, and I was wondering if there are any vegetarians ont he forum?

My booklet says I will never be able to eat asparagus and other very fibrous foods again, but nearly everything I read refers to steak, chicken etc - no lentils, and heavy fibre diet.

Anyone?

While you wait for their responses, I know there are several vegeterian banders here

There is a thread in food somewhere about tofu, seems like a good choice for non-meat protein.

And you can still eat some veggies, that's just a sample of things some people have problems with (asparagus).. but everyone is different.

My booklet says I will never be able to eat asparagus and other very fibrous foods again, but nearly everything I read refers to steak, chicken etc - no lentils, and heavy fibre diet.

Not a vegetarian, but I don't eat red meat, and eat veggie probably 60% of the time.

With the lap-band there aren't any guaranteed eating nevers. I'm about 18 months out and have yet to find something I can't eat.

I had asparagus lastnight, eat it about once a week, it's one of my favorite vegetables. It just takes a lot of chewing, and I have to trim off more than I would pre-op. Rubbed in olive oil, sprinkled with garlic salt, and cooked on the grill. Mmmmmm. I lurve lentils - probably have them cold in a salad or hot in a Soup 2x or 3x a week. A store by my work, where I usually have lunch (IF I have lunch) has a great Turkish lentil curry soup - and I don't even like curry.

I love asparagus also.. the canned kind in stores is really soft, and I like eating that. I never liked it so much when it's hard from grilling, but I don't see how anyone would have any trouble with canned asparagus unless they're band's just fickle!

I to am a vegetarian. I was banded three weeks ago and am just starting to get on "solid foods". I agree with you, the thought of never eating asparagus was quite depressing as I love it. My doc said I could try it soon and see how I do. No issues with anything thus far. Chickpeas, veggie sloppy joe, veggie spaghetti sauce with spaghetti squash.... all did well. I will keep you posted.

I'm an aspiring vegetarian. I get a heavy hit of protein from my morning shake. EAS Carb Control only has 100 or so calories for around 20 grams of protein, so if I have a very low protein day, I can always have a second shake to round it out. I also eat beans, tofu, etc. without a problem. Had a problem once with cooked spinach, but not since. It's all about getting to be friends with YOUR band. There were things I couldn't eat at first. Now I know how to eat anything, but some foods just aren't worth the trouble, so your tastes and desires change a bit. I struggle with shrimp so I just don't bother with them anymore...but I eat crab without a problem. I eat raw salads every day. After awhile, you just get used to your band and how much each food needs to be chewed. And you do little weird things to adapt. I made cooked cherry tomatoes last night...popped one in my mouth and realized they had a really thick tough skin. So I chewed, took out the skin, and swallowed the rest, rather than risk it. You get good at doing that stuff so no one sees, and it becomes second nature. You may stuggle at first but you'll be fine.

Thanks for the info.

I am hoping I'll be able to eat mild, home made Indian food as I can cook it low fat and it will be tasty. It is also soft, moist and lentils are full of Protein and yummy!

Indian has never been a problem, and I don't make it mild. :rose: One of our favs is chicken tikka masala. It's kind of the perfect dish. The chicken cooks forever and always comes out tender, there's a sauce to help it down a bit, and for DH I just add some Basmati.

Chole Punjabi has to be a close second.

I signed up for an Indian cooking class this weekend, so I'm hoping to learn some more tofu dished.

Some great Indian recipes here.

I do a lot of Thai cooking and haven't had a problem. Lentils god down fine for me. Do you have any tips for me on breaking free from the last of my meat eating habits? I can go for a few days, but then I CRAVE meat!

I was banded on May 10, 2005 I did not lose weight until I went vegan on May 17, 2007 Since May 25, 2007 I have lost 30 pounds as of this month. Go figure! I do not miss dairy, caffiene, or meat. I threw myself into this plan 100%. I do not suffer from any defiency at all. My doctor supported me all the way. You can do it!!

Ix there a link you could provide me that shows nutritional guidelines for vegetarians? No sure whether I want to go vegan. I love my egg white omlettes!

No sure whether I want to go vegan. I love my egg white omlettes!

I have several vegan friends and what strikes me is how many things they can't touch. Things I wouldn't even think of - ever - until they've told me why. WOW. I admire their dedication!

Coo -- I am vegetarian and have been for about 15 years. I have had the band for 2 years and have found that it can be a learning experience to figure out what you can and cannot tolerate. I love love love green Beans, but can only eat them cooked to near-mush on a Tuesday when there is no clouds in the sky and in February. It can be somewhat frustrating at first when you are not sure and what went down fine one day gives you trouble for the next two weeks. I have found that when I find a period that I can eat green beans, I tend to eat them and only them for two days straight. By then, I am so sick of green beans that I don't want to eat them again for several months.

Betsy -- I tried going vegan for about 6 months in the beginning but I am so picky that I got horribly sick. ITA with Wheetsin that the "hidden" animal products are really really surprising. Most of my Protein comes from dairy so I have a hard time when I cut those down.

I finally feel like I am in a group that I can really relate to. I am vegan because I lost no weight on the Standard American Diet. I try to eat often and I drink carrot juice twice a day with my essential oils and only juice veggies sometimes I put an apple into the juicing to cater to a sweet tooth. I was told not to juice and as a result did not get in the veggies my body needed and eating meat did not go down none of it. Up went my cholesterol and my lipids sooooooo drastic action was needed. I have a normal cholesterol and normal lipids. Fortune is with me because my general practioner is vegetarian since 1973. So far since May 25th 2007 up to now I have lost 30 pounds. Two years I did not lose more than five pounds since my banding. Going vegan is what helped me get more nutrition and weight loss. I eat 85% raw and 15% cooked vegetables.

Thanks for the info

I've been veggie (ovo lacto) since 91, and when I did that I gave up smoking and lost 10kg similtaneously - but I couldn't even drink coffee for 12 months - the association of EVERYTHING to smoking was too great.

My biggest thing was "making the connection". For me personally, the trays of beautifully presented meat in the supermarket were "faceless". When I made the connection with what it actually was that I was trying to get my kids and myself to eat, it was easy.

Now, chocolate, sugar etc etc......well that's why I'm on this forum. I brought up our four boys ovo lacto veggies too. We've never had any defiiciencies, but we are not vegan.

I was eating some fresh pineapple today and I thought, oh, I won't be able to have this after 3 weeks time.

I must say, I'm really confused :eek::confused: - what will I be able to eat, what won't I, what AMOUNT will I be able to eat , will it work, will it be worth it.

I guess if I can live on dhal and oatmeal for a while I'll get through, but I'm not looking forward to the first month of adjustment.

Coo,

I'm ovo lacto (I tried eating fish early in my band journey at my doc's insistence, but I just can't) and have had no problems being banded. I eat a fair amount of soy, a fair amount of whey, a lot of Beans and lentils, dairy (whipped cottage cheese nearly every day), etc. I eat asparagus and pineapple. You'll learn that you can eat everything (or at least most things) if you make modifications, like taking small bites, cutting the fibers with your knife before you start to chew, blending textures, etc. It's all going to be fine. Being banded is great.