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5/23/13 2:38 P

thanks. I appreciate the honesty LOL. It is better to know that it won't go away and eat a little at a time than to keep on. I do when I have beans sometimes eat kidney beans with mayo, salad and that is the worst. I guess trial and error is best.

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5/23/13 1:31 P

"Bean burgers and too many beans give me a lot of (excuse the word) gas. Does that ever go away?"

For me, I've been eating beans daily, or nearly daily for nearly a year and I've found that if I eat a large amount of them at once, yeah, I'll still have issues with gas and feeling bloated. Smaller amounts more often are better tolerated than a bunch at once. I know other people say that after a month or so they don't have any issues, but that hasn't been the case for me. I can still enjoy them, though, just not too much at once. =)

Good luck!

Edit: Also, if you're eating more veggies in general it just may be a fiber overload and perhaps drinking extra water would help til you get used to your new way of eating.

Edited by: CHERRY666 at: 5/23/2013 (13:32)

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5/23/13 11:09 A

I tried tofu and to me it just tastes like rubber. I don't know enough about anything really. I just have to get off too many starches. I am trying to be full veggie and have not eaten any red meat for over a year and only eat a little fish now and then. Trying to get off that too. I have not eaten any fish either since the beginning of May. I have a lot to learn. I tried years ago to be vegetarian and then vegan but went back to eating meat. Now I am taking a running start and plan to stay but just need to learn a lot more on how to make the food tasty. Bean burgers and too many beans give me a lot of (excuse the word) gas. Does that ever go away? I also find the veggie burgers, that are homemade a little tastless. Someone did give me the ny veggie burger recipe but have to wait til I get groceries again to get the ingredients. Grocery money is limited and hubby is a meat and potatoes eater and will not even touch anything that does not resemble meat. So I have to learn to do this on a budget.
Thanks .

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4/27/13 1:30 A

My 3 year old LOVES veggies and she amazingly says no to even sweets if she doesn't want them or is full. My problem is exacerbated by my husband, sister, and love of baking (such a bonding/learning experience with my daughter). My husband LOVE LOVE LOVES junk food. I tried making healthier, homemade alternatives where I can put meat in his and none in mine, but he doesn't eat it! My sister eats everything, fast. A 2-pack of peanut butter from Costco lasted 2 weeks and my husband nor I ate any. My work schedule is changing and I'm getting tired of coming home to clean and cook 2 separate meals which if I don't scarf down I won't get to eat.

Posts: 1
4/25/13 6:48 P

Let me ask you this. Can someone be "almost a Catholic?"

Posts: 44
4/19/13 6:59 A

I have an easier time of this than a lot. I work from home so I am not exposed to as much eating out temptation as some others.

I am learning to keep healthier vegan choices at home so I do not eat as much processed food but it is hard - I still work hard and get involved in resolving issue that I sometime find that I have not eaten and am berry hungry. It is easier to grab the processed food instead of looking around and getting the healthier less processed options.

Posts: 520
3/18/13 9:19 A

BRIENNEOFTARTH: I keep a bar in my purse all the time, too. Just in case. I don't want to get too hungry when I'm out and wind up getting some garbage or overeating when I get home.

Keeping some frozen chili/soup/etc in the freezer helps, too. If all I have to do is defrost a meal when I'm extremely hungry and tired, then I'm less likely to reach for junk.

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3/17/13 6:47 P

I found I have to carry snacks with me to avoid the temptations of quick on the go junk food. I keep a kashi bar in my purse at all times.

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3/2/13 7:52 P

Hello, I am new to this site and am learning how to maneuver on & off the various pages to find what's beneficial or not. I have a been a practicing vegetarian since '96 and lost a ton of weight. But as I have gotten older I have come to experience that sugars & alcohol can put the pounds on before you know. Exercise is key as we age vegetarian or not. Junk food will do you in because one vice will signal another vice, ie, salt foods will cause a craving for alcohol, alcohol will cause you to have a cigarette, and so on. If you have a sweet tooth Bee pollen is helpful or natural fruit bars or sugar free pudding / jello can get you over the hump.

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2/28/13 6:31 P

I have to add to that Vegans aren't consumers of any animal tested/derived products - cosmetics, wines, clothing - not just food

Edited by: SWEETYOUNGTHING at: 2/28/2013 (18:31)

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2/28/13 6:07 P

Pescetarian: Someone who doesn’t eat meat but eats fish or seafood.

· Flexitarian: A hip and trendy word for what some people call a
semi-vegetarian. Someone who isn’t a vegetarian but eats several
vegetarian meals a week and might be selective about what types of
meat she does eat (such as organic chicken only) and how often.


· Vegetarian: Someone who doesn’t eat any meat, including poultry,
game, fish, and seafood, or any meat by-products, such as broth,
gravy, or fat, or foods cooked with meat. A vegetarian may or may not
eat other animals products like eggs or dairy (ovo-vegetarians do eat
eggs, lacto-vegetarians still eat dairy products, and ovo-lacto
vegetarians eats both eggs and dairy).


· Vegan: A strict vegetarian (see above) who doesn’t eat anything that
comes from an animal—no meat, dairy products, eggs, honey or other
animal by-products.

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2/28/13 1:07 P

I think you can be an 'almost' It's all such a personal choice.

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2/28/13 10:39 A

Is there a such thing as almost Vegan? :) If so, I'm almost one!

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2/26/13 6:03 P

I lost 30 lbs. with the help of Spark People (as an omnivore) and then made the commitment to live a Vegan lifestyle. It's very time consuming to re-enter nutritional info on the SP tracker and, a number of the recipes I have (some are just items thrown together) don't have a calorie/nutrition count to them. So, I've had to break everything down..........figure out how many servings there are per recipes. I haven't been tracking calories like I should - or used to - but I'm slowly making the necessary changes/updates to the Tracker so I can do what I need to do.

I am a FIRM believer in counting/tracking calories. I don't care how healthy you eat. I've made Vegan friendly cupcakes with a calorie content through the proverbial roof. Hey, even fruit has calories.

We have to be aware of calories/nutrition regardless of vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, etc. preferences.

It takes a lot of work when you decide to 'go' vegan or vegetarian. It's a complete shift in my life, really.

One day at a time!

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2/21/13 8:55 A

Yes, I became a vegetarian in Junior High and I was told the samething late high school. Needless to say I didn't watch what I put in my mouth during college and gained 50lbs. I am now using this site to get it off. That is the biggest lie I have ever heard.

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2/21/13 8:13 A

I changed my diet to a mostly plant-based diet last summer. I was on SparkPeople when I when I made the change in how I eat but I stopped using this site b/c the books and teacher on how to eat vegan said you didn't need to count calories b/c the natural foods were healthy and filled you up so you wouldn't over eat. Well that's just not true, at least not in my case. I still favored more fattening natural, plant foods and I couldn't give up all oils and sugars like some very dedicated vegans can. There are also fat vegans b/c there is a ton of processed vegan foods--I didn't buy much as that stuff is expensive!!!
I'm still learning. Sometimes I get confused b/c there is so much info. I can barely stomach meat but I look at some baked chicken breast dishes vs some veggie dishes and am figuring out which can be more fattening(depending on how it's fixed at the restaurants). Eating raw all the time is hard...you want cooked foods, too.
But I enjoy eating plant-based foods more...I feel better. It's tastes cleaner and fresher.

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2/11/13 2:16 A

I have been vegetarian for well over 20 years....It is easier now to eat out healthier than it used to be. Now most places have vegetarian options and a number have health food options. I got fat because of the lack of healthy convenience food for vegetarians previously - often the restaurants would just give the starch with some very overcooked veggies for me when I said I was vegetarian. Or the chips and rolls were the only thing I could find to eat. Getting home late, and not feeling like cooking a meal from scratch when I was starving - toast and cheese were the easy options. It is important as a vegetarian to really concentrate on balancing food as although people think it is a healthier option, it is very easy to just fill up quickly with starch...

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2/9/13 8:02 P

I hear you, Heather: I've indulged in the "potato chips are vegan" excuse too! But I don't think going fully vegan is the surefire way to avoid junk food. The solution is probably to replace the junk food in your life with healthier options: keep carrots, popcorn, your favorite tea, or granola bars (low fat and sugar!) on hand, closer and more convenient than the nearest unhealthy option.

I think the convenience factor is the one I struggle with most. I've stocked up my kitchen with grains, veggies, dried beans and things in an effort to give myself healthy options while I work from my apartment. Unfortunately, they all require cooking time, and I don't have a microwave! So my next chore is finding healthy, ready-made snacks to keep around. Right now, I'm in love with edamame and vegan whole-grain treats I make myself.

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2/6/13 1:54 P

Kudos to you CYND59 for avoiding junk food! This is, hands down, my biggest obstacle. I sell Old Dutch potato chips for a living, so they're everywhere even though I do 90% of my work in the office, not the warehouse. I come from a family that loooooves chips, and I rent an apartment from my parents so there's always plenty of temptation just down the hall. Junk food is my pitfall when it comes to making the vegan commitment as well. I seem to forgive myself some dairy if its in the form of an ice cream sundae or Hawkins Cheezies!
I really don't have much of a sweet tooth so I think it would really help my weight loss if I could just make a 100% vegan commitment (and hide the chips!).

Edited by: HEATHERECUMMINS at: 2/6/2013 (13:55)

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1/31/13 2:31 P

I have only been a Vegetarian/Vegan for about a month now and probably fall more under the category "flexitarian". I eat meat once a week. We go to church dinners on Wednesday night and I eat what they serve. I give the desert to my hubby. I feel it is best for my at this time. I have been very good about staying away from junk food. I keep fresh fruits and veggies available or the vegan Lara bar available if I am out and feel the need for something sweet and crunchy.

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1/26/13 5:36 P

Hi everyone, I'm new to sp, and to this group. I have been a vegetarian since 2003, but I am a fat vegetarian, when people hear that I'm a vegetarian, they are surprised. I have a portion control problem, and load up on carbs, processed foods, and sweets. Love to snack. but all that has stopped, and I'm making healthier choices. I do have a hard time getting all my protein in tho.

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1/18/13 7:17 P

Junk food isn't really great when dieting or trying to loose weight.fruits and veggies are best; but you also have to be careful of some fruits because they also have to much sugar as well.

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1/11/13 11:55 A

If you're going to be vegan, you really do need to read the nutritional info about what may be missing from your diet and ensure that you sub in appropriate vegan foods or take appropriate supplements. Of course, I believe everyone, from omnivores to vegetarians to vegans, should understand nutrition and how to prepare healthy food choices to ensure complete nutrition! However, vegans may not get certain B vitamins such as B-12 without supplementation. Lacking that vitamin could cause you to crave meat, as it is present in meats.

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1/11/13 11:33 A

I was a vegan for fifteen years but I started eating chicken and fish again so I could go low carb but to my dismay I found myself frying and adding high fat condiments to these proteins. I decided to go back to my vegan diet and use tofu as my low carb protein and I'm glad to be back. I have more energy. And I feel healthier.

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1/9/13 11:00 A

I was a strict vegan for about 8 months and stopped because the craving for meat was so bad, and towards the end I was eating straight up carbs. I'm anemic and wanted a healthier diet, and when I started, I lost 10 lbs and felt amazing. It is just something you really have to keep up on and definitely take vitamins to curb the nasty cravings! I only eat meat maybe once a month when I crave it now, but I really want to go back to being a vegan again. Good luck to everyone!

Posts: 10
1/5/13 11:36 P

I'm new eating animal-free. My family memebers are omnivores. I delayed going completely animal-free until the arrival of three new vegan cookbooks. I make a soup that takes minimal prep aside from presoaking beans, and lots of smoothies. Aside from that, some roasted veg and chickpeas or salads or either in a wrap take me through most days. I will often throw some sides from the omnimeal in with my soup or salad. It's amazing how much variety we can eat. I don't do vegan packaged except for occasionally panfried tofu or soy cream cheese.

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1/5/13 7:10 A

@PLG....I have the same problem at home with 2 almost grown kids and a husband who all eat complete crap if I don't cook. I haven't had much luck with successfully introducing new recipes that they like. Most of the time I cook for myself and then cook something different for them. I really hate that! However when I do make a new vegetarian recipe, I divide it up and freeze it for 2 or 3 meals for myself. That cuts down on time in the kitchen. Good luck I know it's a challenge.

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1/4/13 9:49 A

I am back to the Vegetarian lifestyle and am also having a hard time with snacking. It hasn't been too bad but I also have 4 others in the house who do not support this new lifestyle. Buying produce for salads when I'm the only one eating them becomes costly. I have resorted to pre packaged salads for one. Again costly but at least I won't end up throwing anything away.

I need to find better vegetable recipes that my whole family would eat. BTW, I'm not such a great cook! :)

Best of luck to everyone, have a great day!

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1/2/13 8:13 A

welcome, PGHANDI93! What really helps me avoid poor snack choices is to have my healthy snacks pre-planned and sometimes, even pre-measured.

I'll take a banana and 1 T of peanut butter as a snack, or 12 almonds, or a Pure Bar (200cal) or an apple, etc.

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1/2/13 6:26 A

@PGANDHI93-
I would start by browsing these forums and the Clean Eating thread is a good source of info.too. You will learn lots. I know I did.

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1/1/13 11:00 P

Hi guys!
I'm new here, and surprise!! my new resolution is to say good bye to the old me and welcome the new me. I just would like to drop about fifteen pounds and be healthy. Not skinny. Just be well in shape.

I have been a vegetarian all my life and have never eaten meat, but I am a heavy snacker, do you guys have any tips as to how to eat healthier and just any tips at all on how to stop my snacking cravings??

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12/19/12 8:34 A

Thanks for the replies.

I have been vegetarian since October after reading "The China Study." I lost 60 lbs. last year (while not on a vegetarian diet) but have been stuck at 60 for a few months now. I need to lose about 50 more. I believe that I must track my food, even if I have cut out all meat and a lot of dairy. I am also Type 2 Diabetic so have to watch my carbs, although I have that well under control from changing my diet and exercising regularly. It takes a lot of time to prepare healthy meals and it takes a lot of time to track as I don't use traditional recipes anymore. I more or less create my own meals while feeding my family a not-so-strict diet. They are already grumping about their semi-vegetarian meals but I have managed to do away with most meat for them.

I have learned a lot from reading through posts in the Vegetarian/Vegan thread. I appreciate all the knowledge and good advice that is passed along.

Thanks,
Bonnie

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12/18/12 11:46 P

I don't track my food. I find that eating strictly vegan, strictly unprocessed food is so filling that I just naturally eat less than I ever have. That gnawing hunger and desire to eat everything in sight occurred when I was eating processed food. Also, the only sugar I eat is in whole fruits. I think sugar can really set you up for cravings. My biggest battle now is making myself do the food preparation that I have to do in order to have on hand what I need to eat. Cooking isn't something that I intrinsically enjoy, but not having the right foods on hand is what will shoot me off the path quicker than anything.

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12/18/12 11:02 P

For years my body has been screaming at me to stop eating meat and dairy but every time I try I wind up feeling unsatisfied and fall into the "junk food trap". I tried to make it my New Year's resolution earlier this year. I only lasted a month and spent the rest of the year struggling to get back on track and gained 10-15lbs eating everything in sight trying to feel satisfied and avoid meat and dairy. With the new year approaching, I am going to try again. I need to succeed at this and am looking for any advice or guidance anyone here can offer.

Christie,

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12/18/12 11:30 A

Sassy-Nak, I consistently track my food. When I hit goal, I stopped tracking yet continued regular weigh-ins. I gained 3 pounds, so I began tracking again. One of my can-do goals it to achieve a point where I can avoid the tracking *and* stay at goal.

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12/18/12 6:06 A

Curious.....do those of you trying to lose weight while eating a vegetarian/vegan diet consistently track your food?

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12/16/12 11:13 A

I agree with Julie, also, the closer to whole and original as possible, the better. Many traditional foods work well - lentil soup, beans and rice, that sort of thing. I am fortunate to have an exploratory palate, it helps me a lot.

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12/9/12 12:54 P

There's no meat in chocolate, either.

Fortunately, if you choose dark chocolate and avoid the gooey stuff, you actually get some nice antioxidants with your calories.

I find that if I fill up on healthy carbs such as veggies, fruits, nuts and whole grains, the unhealthy carbs don't call my name quite as loudly.

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12/4/12 7:20 A

I so admire you for this. I am still caught in the junk food trap - and also eating some "near junk" - you know, like baked fries or that sort of thing.

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11/17/12 9:33 A

I agree. My experience with vegetarianism was the same as yours - and I love the response - "There's no meat in potato chips"! LOL! And too, too true. I have had a different experience with being vegan since early Sept - plummeting cholesterol and steady loss of weight, and the feeling that I'm eating a lot. But, then again, I'm not eating the vegan junk food that's out there either. Junk is junk. I try to not eat any packaged, processed foods, and it's been very satisfying. Oh, and I've also shifted away from using oil. So.... I guess it's - as usual - which things seem harder. I'd rather eat this way and not have to struggle with my weight or feeling hungry, but for many years it just seemed like too much work to prepare all my own food. (Domestic Dolly I am not!) I also wasn't sure I could live without cheese. LOL But I'm happy that I made the switch, and I never thought weight loss would be effortless for me, but it has. But - not eating the junk version of any dietary plan. Just my 2 cents!

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11/17/12 8:22 A

Great topic! People always ask me if I lost weight when I went vegetarian, and my usual answer is "there's no meat in potato chips." Vegetarians don't just eat veggies! It's just as hard to mantain a healthy weight without meat.

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11/4/12 2:29 P

I haven't read all six pages of comments, so maybe you're talking about potato chips and the like, but to me, vegetarian junk food is the stuff made by Morningstar Farms and others - the buffalo wings and "chik'n" fingers and barbeque ribs. Sure, it's really good and it's really easy, but I'm not convinced that it's all that much better for us than other prepared, prepackaged foods.

I keep a couple boxes of the stuff in the freezer for an "instant dinner" (throw the barbequed ribs over some whole wheat couscous, have a couple raw carrots on the side) but for the most part, I think of this as vegetarian junk food.

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11/2/12 12:19 P

Hi everyone! I'm new here, and a little nervous. I've been vegetarian for over 2 years now, and I know I'm doing it all wrong. I go overboard on cheese and bread. Any tips people can pass on? Any help would be so appreciated!

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11/1/12 7:18 A

I like this topic because when it comes to my food choices I tend to eat healthy. But my weatness is candy, chips and junk food in general. I am proof you can be a overweight vegan.

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10/17/12 12:38 P

Good morning gang!! I'm very happy today, weigh in down 5 lbs. this week!! I know it won't be that much all the time but a great boost to keep going! Off to work at 3 so will check in from there have a great day all!! Diane

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9/8/12 7:36 P

DesertJulz, I'm with you on trying to transition from the convenience "healthier" foods to unprocessed. And may I congratulate you on your weight!!? I see you've worked your way to your goal! And no, the .2 doesn't count. ;-) I'm new to the site, so maybe it's been celebrated already, but I'd like to add my kudos!

current weight: 128.2

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9/3/12 3:48 P

Great! I congratulate you. I have been vegan/vegetarian for about seven hears now. I go on and off vegan as I did love my cheese but I gained weight on Art's walk (over 1000 miles already) as I was driving the pilot car, not walking. Much of the weather has been very hot and so I exercise around the car when I am stopped for fifteen mins or so, but when the heat gets up I can no longer walk around the car fifteen times briskly or do my squats as the heat effects my heart.
It is better to lose the weight slowly, more of a chance to not gain it back for any reason (like my husband dying last year ;-{ ) I congratulate you on your goals and on getting slimmer. Keep it up and follow our blog www.thewalkoflife.org It is great!

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9/2/12 8:26 A

Forks over knives convinced me to stop eating meat on March 20, 2012. I have noticed
that I am now concentrating on getting healthier every day. I am exercising more than ever before, I've noticed small changes i.e., my eyesight seems better, my nails & cuticles are healthier. I've lost about 12 pounds since March. It's coming off slowly and that's OK.
I am constantly reading health books to keep my new way of living top of mind! I experiment with one new recipe a week, keep a journal with everything I eat and make notations on my energy level, sleeping etc. That seems to help. I allow myself small amounts of junk food i.e. have you tried the Multigrain Scoops with chopped onion, pepper, tomato, tiny amount of oil and vinegar, it's delicious. I am afraid of old age and medication...which encourages me to exercise (my new medication) and eat right! Good Health!!

Posts: 163
8/30/12 8:15 P

i eat no meat but not 100 percent yet its a slow process

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8/29/12 12:38 A

Probably as most fruits digest quickly, we feel hungry sooner. Veggies are more satisfying to me and I find it easy to eat many veggies. I've had to work to add in a reasonable amount of fruit and am using fruit as a small pick-me-up for snacking.

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8/28/12 12:19 P

Middlesister3,

I agree, fruit makes me hungry for other things.

Jamila

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8/28/12 12:18 P

Dakota106,

Why did I not think of that? Thank you much.

Jamila

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8/27/12 10:59 P

Jamila just google it on your computer and you can watch it there!

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8/27/12 3:09 P

I find veggies keep me satisfied much longer than fruit does.

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8/24/12 8:36 A

Postdocfromsf,

I have not been on SP for over a year and reading your post this morning has given me new hope. Briefly, I've been vegan for a little over a year and I seem to find myself still going toward "junk food" for comfort(?) and I knew that being a vegan is what I want, but a healthy vegan is what I desire to be and I know when I cook the food is always so good and I wonder why do I ever turn to junk. But, what I know is that coming back to SP will give me the support I need to eat better and exercise consistently. I've been looking for support in all the wrong places and I had forgotten about the people who are on SP and came back today. Thank you for you post, because it has motivated me to get on with getting healthy.

Also, I want to see Forks over Knives is there a DVD?

Blessings,
Jamila

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8/11/12 6:39 A

I think Dyna has a good point. My body doesn't like fasts either, although it's not so dramatic for me.
Generally speaking, I don't think fasts are that useful for weight management. It does not support the appropriate, regular living behavior for sustained results. It's a tempting, quick fix approach. (Fasting for other reasons, such as spiritual or religious reasons, is different.)

There is some controversy, but there is some evidence that fasting can make you fatter in the long run.

answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090
920092006AAbmf8p

Edited by: HEALTHYLU1 at: 8/11/2012 (06:43)

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8/6/12 11:09 P

I found the raw brownie recipe by searching spark recipes for "raw brownies." I modified it, though, using half prunes/half dates instead of all dates. I also made them without the icing, to keep the calorie & fat count lower.

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8/6/12 6:17 P

Have you posted your healthy brownie recipe? I would love to try it.

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7/27/12 10:10 A

....... Just saw the Q. ...... and have to say ...... speaking for me
I did this 2 years ago .......... developed acute abdominal pain, had to have SURGERY
and TWO ulcers were found!! ......... I can't begin to tell you the horrible pain .....
I will never again do this ...... without a balanced meal ........ and those starches are
there for a reason ......... Moderation is the key.........

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7/27/12 9:46 A

I think fasting on fruits and veggies is the best way to fast cause your getting alot of nutition.

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7/27/12 8:34 A

Got to find that Raw Brownie Recipe!!!

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7/18/12 8:44 A

sounds yummy

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7/11/12 1:06 P

Brownies are one of my favorite foods and yet so unhealthy! I explored raw brownie recipes here on Spark and found that I absolutely adore them! I modified a recipe and use cocoa powder (unsweetened!), prunes, dates, soaked walnuts, and a touch of green stevia. You puree everything in the food processor, freeze for 30 minutes to set, then cut & keep in the refrigerator. The way I make them, they are only 136 calories each and incredibly satisfying!

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7/10/12 5:08 A

Balance always please!

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7/8/12 9:27 P

I am thinking about fasting. Just eating fruits and veggies for a week or two. I was wonder would this be a good thing or what?

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7/4/12 5:18 P

Yikes! I have a 'fistful' of Morningstar coupons ............ I will have to examine the ingredients before I fill my freezer, or worse yet, my gullet w/ these .......... Glad you mentioned! :)

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6/15/12 11:10 A

Great article - thanks for the link! :-)

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6/11/12 11:52 A

I read this article about being a Eat Vegan & Run
www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7120,s6-242
-303-308-14320-0,00.html

It was good to see how he gradually became a Vegan and why. I am not a Vegan I am eliminating meat first.

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6/11/12 6:35 A

Honestly, I don't cook much and rely heavily on what's easy. The ideas here are excellent, and I wanted to thank the people who are posting what works for them. My thought is that it is also valuable not to judge when we don't reach our high ideals and levels. It is not "being bad" to make imperfect choices - it is just the choice made at the time. The choice not yet made is the one that really matters. Make the next one consistent with the goals you want to achieve. If we do that more often, we will get to our goals!

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6/9/12 10:27 A

Hi Hike! Yes, your suggestions were helpful, because I'm very bad about making "one time meals" and not making big batches of food that can be frozen (or at least can last for a few days). The only food I make big batches with is soup, but can't think of any other foods I do that with. So that needs to change.

And i like the idea of making my freezer my "grocery store" and going "shopping" for meals there! I like fake veggie meats and have wanted for some time to make enough to last for weeks or even months. I did that once with veggie sausage and not only did it taste better than the storebought kind, I had it on hand right in the freezer. So you're right, it pays to stock that freezer and to have meals that last a few days. Good advice!

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6/7/12 10:10 P

Hi GENTLEVIKING -
I can relate to your feelings about all the mess that cooking can cause. I love the cooking, but hate the clean-up! One way I get around this is to make some recipes that I know my family can eat for a few days - black bean salad, quinoa tabouleh, soups or chili, tofu "egg" salad, tofu mini-quiches, hummus. We keep these in the fridge for quick meals, lunches away from home, and snacks. It's a huge time-saver.

I have a neighbor who is single. Her answer is to make double batches of things she likes and freeze them in single-serving containers. She goes "shopping" in her freezer for many of her dinners.

Hope these ideas help!

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6/7/12 10:01 P

Hi DNAVARRETE -
Smoothies are great - quick and delicious and nutritious! My quantities are for two full tumblers (for my husband and me) and a small juice glass (for my daughter).

I always start with a couple of cups of frozen fruit (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries), add in a banana or two, a cup or two of almond or rice milk, two scoops of vanilla rice protein, and then the goodies. My goodies depend on what is in the house. I might add a couple tablespoons of nut butter (raw almond butter is fantastic) or ground flax or hemp seeds. I might add half an avocado. If I have fresh fruit that is getting past its prime I might throw that in. If the berries are tart I might also add a bit of vanilla extract.

Because of the protein and healthy fats in the smoothie I have no problem going hours until my next meal. This a great meal for on-the-go.

Enjoy!

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6/5/12 8:48 A

What I do is make bigger batches for several meals. I'm going to be making soup today. I made vegetable stock two days ago and froze half. Today I'm going to make a batch of vegetable-lentil soup and will freeze half of that. I do this with spaghetti sauce, chili, muffins, and curry as well.

On a day off I'll blitz and make a few things all at once. Chop veggies for soup, curry, and spaghetti sauce all at the same time. While the soup is simmering, I'll bake cookies for lunches (kids don't know they're made with whole wheat flour, dark chocolate chips, and a bit of ground flax seeds). In the evening I'll make a batch of curry and tomorrow I'll toss the spaghetti veggies, spices, and a can of diced tomatoes into the crock pot for spaghetti sauce tomorrow night.

I'm avoiding everything that has ingredients I don't recognize (this doesn't include vitamins) and modified ingredients, which means there's almost nothing processed in our diets.

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6/2/12 6:26 P

Julz, thanks for chiming in! I enjoyed reading your post and agree on how easy it "can be" to gain weight on a vegan/vegetarian diet if one isn't careful. You said:

"For me, avoiding prepared foods and making everything from scratch keeps my diet much healthier."

Good for you! This is the way to go. But may I ask how you do it? Maybe it's harder for me as a single man who hates the mess cooking in a kitchen (on a daily basis) can cause...but that is why I sometimes get slack on making my own vegan foods. Do you find this to be a problem?

Some folks are naturally better housekeepers and have no problem with cooking every single meal at home...but for me the mess that results (especially when cooking a new recipe) can sometimes seem overwhelming to me...so I find myself returning to store bought stuff, knowing good and well that it's not as healthy, but it doesn't create the mess.

Any suggestions you would have for me on kitchen duty would be highly appretiated!

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6/2/12 3:31 P

Vegetarian and vegan junk food abounds! Just read the ingredients & nutrients in the Morningstar Farms items, and you'll see what I mean.

Meat eaters sometimes ask my how I could gain too much weight, when I am vegetarian. I remind them that chocolate cake, brownies, and buttery popcorn are all vegetarian.

For me, avoiding prepared foods and making everything from scratch keeps my diet much healthier.

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5/18/12 3:49 P

we were eating a lot of the field roast products but i found they were not at all good for my weight, because i like them too much (and eat too much) and because of the high calories and sodium - which of course is related to the first problem:-)

i started making my own sausages and it is *easy* - i use the recipe from vegan brunch for sausage, and i've made a vegan "corned beef" or "pastrami" (my sin - what i miss most from my pre vegan days is all the things that are bad for you:-) a couple of times. it really is not hard at all.

just unpacked my new vitamix yesterday and am looking forward to moving into smoothies now!

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5/16/12 12:53 P

DN: I personally make smoothies almost every morning for my family. They are a really great way to get all your veggies and fruits when eating a meal is too much. Or even when you want something with the meal. Personally I don't go by any recipes. I just throw stuff in. It helps to make it a little different every morning and we never get tired of it. This is the basics that I put into most of my smoothies.

Frozen berries (raspberry and blackberry)
Frozen peaches
Frozen strawberries
Wheat Germ (great for getting extra vitamins and protein)
Honey or molasses
Fresh or frozen broccoli
Flavored non-dairy milk of your choice (I personally love the vanilla coconut milk but it is hard to find and kind of expensive.)
Soy milk (when i run out of the flavored kind)

You can throw in whatever veggies you want. I would suggest fresh veggies though because frozen veggies kind of give it a different taste. Also too much frozen foods make the smoothie so thick that you have to use a lot of the non-dairy milk. I try to mix up the frozen and not. You can also throw in what ever else you have that may be going bad. You can't even tell the difference in a smoothie!

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5/4/12 10:30 P

Delirium, I've not tried Field Roast products, yet--thanks for letting me know they are so good! I don't live near a natural foods store where I could get them, but next time I go out of town I'll buy some!

Good for you for starting to make your own veggie meats! In another group I've been talking about that very subject! (I've been lazy about making my own, but realize that's the main way to go because of the high sodium content in all processed foods---and not just the veggie ones.)

After three years of being vegan I've come to finally realize I've never lost my taste for meat, so I'm trying to start making my own veggie meats more often. I like your idea, Delirium, of buying the store bought veggie meats for when guest come over--because I also suspect that non-vegans would probably like those better.

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5/4/12 9:44 P

Just wanted to give my two cents :)
I LOVE the Field Roast grain meats. I've only had the sausages (italian and smoked apple) but they are really delicious. The only downside is the # of calories and the higher sodium, but as long as you aren't eating them daily they are great.
I also really love the Quorn products--the chicken tenders only have 2 or 3 ingredients and are great when you are cooking for non-veg's (I use them for burritos and "chicken" potpie).
Hubs and I are starting to make our own fancy proteins--veggie burgers and (soon!) sausages--I'm excited about those; I'm trying to add more veggies and less sodium, so homemade is always a good choice.
My biggest problem with meat alternatives is that they don't taste like "real" food--too many preservatives, too much salt, rubbery texture. That being said, those I've listed above are my go-to proteins when I don't feel like cooking from scratch :)

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5/4/12 1:45 A

I'm almost to the 100% vegan and have learned new foods that are good.

I am trying to lose 15lbs and am looking for vegan smoothie recipes. If anyone has one to share I would greatly appreciate it.

Yeah to all the vegans........

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4/18/12 10:57 A

wanted to share a tip for anyone trying to go vegan and having a hard time with the dairy hump.. VEGANAISE is a Godsend. Honestly. I LOVE CHEESE, SOUR CREAM, AND CREAM CHEESE. (not a full blown vegan but trying my hardest!)veganaise is NOT mayonaise-Y by any means. it's tart and tangy like sour cream but has a unique flavor that makes it an ideal substitute for any of the three i listed above. Give it a shot. I recommend the original over the grape seed kind. Try it in anything and i promise you'll love it. i put it in mashed potatoes to zest them up a bit. I also use it in my chickpea patties. mash them up, add some bread crumbs, flax meal, ener c egg replacer, fake bacon bits and spices to your taste. put a big dollop of veganaise. pat them in whatever breading you prefer. I like bread crumbs and cornmeal. (good crunch) these turn out superb once you fry them up. I feel
a bit guilty when i eat these because i just cant make my mind believe that they are ALL VEGAN.
ALSO- try wrapping your tofu in some papertowels for about 10 minutes. Keep doing it until the papertowels hardly absorb any liquid. The texture turns out so much better (more meaty instead of jello-y) Not only is the texture great but they absorb anythign and everything you put on them

Edited by: CHOO2233 at: 4/18/2012 (10:59)

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4/13/12 4:10 P

Tempeh, tofu and related foods usually need a little time to absorb the sauces. I usually plan to let them sit soak the sauces or broth up about 5 mins. Think of them flavor sponges... LOL!

Forks over Knives is great!! Spread the word.!

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4/12/12 11:28 P

Musshy, I see nobody's replied to you yet, so I'll do my best.

You said you were picky about the food you eat. May I ask why? Being a vegan or vegetarian limits some of the foods you can have, so why be picky on top of that? Why not allow yourself to try new things and see what happens. I think part of the fun of becoming vegan for me has been to try new foods I've never tried before. Some of them I've not liked, but many of them I have.

I can't help you with getting your fitness minutes into your profile---I'm not good at that stuff either, so I keep track at home on a piece of paper (yeah, I'm living like a caveman! Ha! I guess I'm "old school"! Ha!)

Hope this might have helped. Welcome to the group and please don't be nervous about posting. These are great folks here and they've been very helpful to me over the years. They can be for you also.

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4/12/12 11:19 P

Way to go, BT! It's usually the ones who get excited over being vegan that do the best, and it sounds like you are one of them! Keep up the good work!

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4/12/12 4:44 P

I am constantly amazing myself as I progress further into life as a vegan. I made the move to 100% vegan after watching "Forks Over Knives" about three weeks ago. I just finished lunch --BBQ tempeh sandwich on gluten-free bread, sliced cucumbers, and green tea. It was surprisingly tasty.

Funny thing, when I tasted the tempeh out of the oven, it was not so good. It just tasted like tempeh with BBQ on it. The toasted bread pulled the effect together. It was as tasty as any pulled BBQ sandwich I have ever had.

Before I gave into being vegan, I was convinced that I would be sacrificing taste for healthy living. I see that I was wrong. My taste buds have changed. My techniques in the kitchen have changed. The way I think and feel about food has changed. Maybe all these things had to change for it to work. When I let go of the idea that I had to find substitutes for meat and just approached the task from the point of view of making nice flavorful vegan meals, I started to enjoy being vegan.

BT

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4/10/12 9:43 A

hey guys im new to this so very nervious ive been a pescetarian for 3 years now but am finding it hard to find new healthy meals as i am very picky with food and also trying to lose weight any ideas nothing with mushroom oinins squash any thing like that i dolike quarn tho thank u :)
i also dont get how im meant to do calories burnt when im not to sure and how to get fitness min on my profile ?


Edited by: MUSSHY at: 4/10/2012 (09:44)

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4/3/12 7:54 P

Hi guys ... just wanted to share this: I order nut cheeses from Dr. Cow (have to get them on-line ...not even Whole Foods carries them for some reason).

These are "hard" cheeses made from macadamias, almonds, pecans, brazil nuts, etc. The couple who make them studied cheese making in Europe, and use some kind of pro-biotic to "ferment" the nut puree.

I don't like ANY vegan "cheese" substitutes, not even Daiya, and these Dr. Cow cheeses are amazing. The kind of thing you can enjoy with crackers, a glass of wine ...

www.dr-cow.com/products/

Posts: 2,158
4/3/12 7:44 P

Hi guys ... just wanted to share this: I order nut cheeses from Dr. Cow (have to get them on-line ...not even Whole Foods carries them for some reason).

These are "hard" cheeses made from macadamias, almonds, pecans, brazil nuts, etc. The couple who make them studied cheese making in Europe, and use some kind of pro-biotic to "ferment" the nut puree.

I don't like ANY vegan "cheese" substitutes, not even Daiya, and these Dr. Cow cheeses are amazing. The kind of thing you can enjoy with crackers, a glass of wine ...

www.dr-cow.com/products/