I'd really like to switch to being vegetarian for spiritual reasons, but I'm at the beginning of the whole process for the gastric sleeve. I have to lose 30 lbs to have the surgery. So far I've gained one. I swear, being told I have to lose weight makes me gain.

I really have not liked meat substitutes I've tried, and I'm wondering if it's possible to get your protein without them. I'm looking at going vegetarian, not vegan, so I would still have access to dairy and eggs, but I don't want to overdo it on those. I'm not a fruits and vegetables fan and this is going to be a very hard switch for me, but I do really want to do it. Thanks for any info you can give!

Focus on beans and leafy greens! I started following the advice in the Pound of Cure book and have lost 16lbs since August without the usual dieting woes. Also, this video might address some of your concerns and give you some things to think about going forward when it comes to protein and veggies:

Edited November 24, 20232 yr by NickelChip

I was a vegetarian for 12 years before I gave it up, and then life and the vicious cycle of weight gain and weight loss began for me. You can 100 percent get your protein without meat substitutes (which tend to be full of carbs btw).

Beans with rice is a great way to get protein. Nuts and seeds, whole grains like oatmeal, couscous, quinoa, cheese, yogurt, and protein powders made out of peas. Ripple is a pea milk that is pretty good and has 8g of protein, it is very comparable to regular milk. I believe Ripple has other products too like protein powders and coffee mixes.

If 8th continent still exists, that was the best milk substitute, I had a vegan bodybuilder friend who drank it like it was going out of style, lol.

Don't forget about tofu, tempeh, edamame, and lentils (Not my fav). Chickpeas (hummus), peanut butter,

There are other vegetarian and vegan protein powder options as well.

I would suggest getting a good vegetarian cookbook, look for one that focuses on protein sources.

I'm about 90% vegetarian. I rarely eat meat substitutes. I get my protein from dairy products, beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc - I also have a protein shake most days and occasionally eat a protein bar if I'm out and about.

Even without meat replacements, vegetarians can still have adequate protein! Eggs, Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, beans, lentils, quinoa, and almonds are among the things you should prioritise. If necessary, you can also incorporate protein powder into smoothies. As you get ready for gastric sleeve surgery, discuss portion sizes and protein goals with your nutritionist. They can assist you in creating a well-rounded plan that supports your spiritual and health objectives.