Search the Community

yes. Granted, I haven't eaten ground beef in about 20 years, but I started eating burgers occasionally again when Beyond Burgers and Impossible Burgers came out. Maybe if they're plain you'd notice a difference - but I put lettuce, tomato, ketchup, light mayo or light Thousand Island dressing on them, and they taste just like a burger to me. I've only had an Impossible Whopper at BK once since I don't do fast food, and I couldn't tell the difference (although those have a lot of "fixin's" on them, too). I have one friend who's been a vegetarian for 30 years who tasted one once and said she'd never eat it again because it tasted like beef to her, and she's lost all her taste for meat over the years.

Boyfriend's Penn Station fakeout sub Cheesy Artichoke hearts and mushrooms vegetarian sub He's very happy despite the fact that it looks meh... 😂

BF's vegetarian soup & grilled cheese

Vegetarian burrito (red bean+ mushrooms+ cheese) on low carb tortillas with a side of light sour cream & avocado I'm stuffed. Before and After

Yes ,I don't tolerate bovine products well (not lactose intolerance) so I have to pick and choose which items I will suffer for. Life long struggle. Generally yogurt, kefir and some cheeses are OK but milk and meat are a no go for me. I live near farms so ive tried farm fresh as well. Sometimes I'm OK with half and half and isolates, but I have to cycle those out with vegan sub's. One of the reasons I was a vegetarian for so long. My body is just built for it. As for the almond milk, I don't need it for the protein, I get that from food, and there aren't many carbs in it either. Attached is the label

ok... what is a chaffle? Is it vegetarian? Does it taste like a waffle? Do those mini waffle makers work? Should I buy one?

Okay, then. Let the lock down cook-off begin Ms. Greentealeal! I'll make the original recipe less the bacon and you make a vegetarian version? I still have all the fresh herbs left from chicken and rice soup recipe Sunday. Let's put on those domestic diva aprons and post sweet potato and corn chowder creations. Anyone else care to join in? Fun! Inspired now for my one exciting excursion out a week: The grocery market. Haha.

Back to my flexible vegetarian ways y'all. Sometimes you got to do waht feels better... No after because this is two meals ... Black bean avocado salad And the same salad with peanut added

had my three girl friends over fir Christmas drinks & catch up. I always over cater & now my fridge is overflowing with leftovers. Sigh! Also have leftover bottles of champagne too which I don’t mind about. Made a baked Brie (baked with quince paste, vino cotto & served with toasted walnuts & fresh thyme). So delicious. Bought mushroom & fete, & spinach & feta quiche slices & some salads from Botanica who specialise in gluten free & vegetarian foods & vegan salads. (Did you discover them when you lived here @ms.sss?). The coffee pavlova with coffe cream & coffee drizzle was made by one of my girlfriends & another made the fruit salad. (Forgot to take some of the pxts before we started eating so they’re partially devoured.)

I attempted to eat these vegetarian chili cheese fries while on the road (the chili is on the bottom)... I didn't like it at all. Too salty and drippy. Had about 3 and quit, it became my boyfriends meal

Gwen Welcome Home ! Yes $$ does equate to better food and weight issues - a top ramen cost 25 cents. This is why most poorer pple are in food lines weighing 200 lbs and you think they sure don't look like they have missed a meal - it's all about the foods they eat that are cheap - starch - fats - Veggies, fruit & meat are more $$$ Be happy w/your 1/2 a pound it's a loss and not a gain and after a yr all those 1/2 lbs adds up.. Balletgirl - This is why 3 yrs later I'm still on lbt - it's my support - it keeps me honest and accountable. Come back and be accountable.. We will kick your butt - give you tough love - we are here for you.. So you are a vegetarian?? I am a carnivor ;0) don't know if I could give up meat - don't eat tons of red meat - but do occasionally and I eat tons of fish.. I am going to call you the b word ;0) with love cuz I'm jealous - Well next month you are coming to Vegas - and that trumps Hawaii ;0).. Cheri - You are the glycimic queen and how all that works in your body ;0) Hugs to your DD I would never ever trust super cuts w/my hair - I am to freaking vain - I have to have 10 references before I would go to a new hair dresser .. I eat that sf candy when I need help in that department ;0) every now and then I will get gas pains in my shoulder - haven't had it in a while - but if I over eat I will ;0) To funny about your Mom - I have been messing w/pictures all evening - for some reason my camera will take a grainy pic and the next will be clear... Charlene - they sell the boots #7 at target - I used it for a few months - but didn't see much improvement - heck - my road map face needs laser and the knife - I don't think they make plastic surgery in a bottle yet.. That's my problem too I have a 5x & 10 x mirror :0)

i eat lots of nuts and veggies and im still drinking milk and having yogurt... beans are good for proteins but i need to go to library and get some vegetarian cookbooks ..my menu is limited at this point. it took about a week to notice any difference but now i feel lighter and im more regular must be all the fruit..im hoping to see some changes with the scale soon.. reason to give up meat http://www.goveg.com/downedCow.asp

Janet, agree with you. Silly to have incident reports at this age. Everything is documented these days! He did not get in trouble today. : ) Apples, have fun at the lake! Oh my... that is too many people to have for a wedding! IMHO if you are going to invite that many people- you had better be able to pay to have it catered! Where does one store 450 servings of potato salad?! Wow. You are a very nice friend to help out. Let's plan on touching base next week when you get back. Nawlinz, have you been on a cruise before? What line are you using? I was so seasick on ours that I barely ate. The patch behind the ears and other nausea pills had me loopy. That being said, I would stick to the meals that have sit down service if possible. Much less likely to overeat than a buffet. Be careful even with the healthy choices (fish and chicken) as everything was loaded with oil and butter. Always tons of salads and fresh fruit. Plan on exercising if you can! A friend of mine recently went and everywhere she goes she tells the waiter to tell the chef that she has severe gallbladder disease and cannot have fat. She would ask for hers made special. Worth a try. Great, omw... erosion, eh? I would guess that one would have to have REALLY severe symptoms for that to go unnoticed! Perhaps she could not eat any solids with the near obstruction and that's why she ate yogurt?! For dinner we had grilled tilapia, cauliflower, stuffed vegetarian grapeleaves (thanks IYSOY- since your greek stuff I have had it on the brain!). I only had one b/c they are 75 cal each!!! As it is I was stuffed with VERY little food. And I ate one bite too many and am feeling like Thanksgiving dinner right now....ugghhhhhh. Why do we do that??? when we are full but our heads tell us one more bite and then we feel like $hit after!!! ttyl...Laura

Gino - since you are a vegetarian - then you are going to have to look for more ways to get the protein in thru beans and I guess protein supplements (I think there may be a thread on the main forum page for vegetarians)- since I am a carnivore :0) I don't know what other items have good protein values. I use WW or saralee lite bread 45 c per slice.. Rose - I haven't been dancing in ages - mostly due to the reasons you just stated "age appropreate places" I like hip hop & RB - but hate going to clubs where there is nothing but 20 yr old - The Esmaralda in Indian Wells has a club - went there for my 50th - a little older crowd and I think in Palm Desert McCormicks is another older crowd place. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY !!!!! Hope you have a great day and glad your DH surpised you... Ichthy - Prayers for a safe surgery and speedy recovery. Don't worry about the weight loss right now - I don't think you are getting enough calories - you are a guy so lucky you you get to eat more than us girls:tongue: Holly - I don't really do protein bars now a days and the ones I have are from months ago - Pure Protein choc and they have been in my fridge for months - so I am not afaird of the Peanut Butter issues - I rather eat real food instead of pt bars - but in the beginng I did supplemnt my pt with some clear liquid pt drinks I got from my doctors office -

Meredith, you have to get the word "failure" out of your head. We all have days when we are unexpectedly faced with the food we love and crave the most. If we completely deny ourselves we end up setting ourselves up for a vicious cycle of guilt and overeating. You need to change your thoughts to how proud you are of limiting your treats. Just a salad? I could never do that. Unless the salad had some meat or cheese, some nuts, some real stick to the ribs food in it. Just eating a salad would set me up for failure also. These are the kinds of situations where you figure you're going to eat some things you normally wouldn't and its OK. Otherwise you walk away feeling deprived and with a raging hunger. Instead choose a few things and eat just a bite of them. Doing so can actually boost your self-esteem and take the fear out of social gatherings. I have to ask you, are you semi-vegetarian? I frequently wonder if you're getting enough Protein, especially whole Proteins found in meat, eggs, or dairy. I would feel too weak to exercise or feel well if I ate what you do. Also, some of your food choices would give me acid reflux. Grapefruit, wine, etc. Maybe after a fill you need to avoid any foods that cause reflux till you lose a few lbs and the band isn't as tight. Look it up on the internet. You would be amazed at the foods and drinks that contribute to reflux. I'm proud of the way you're losing weight. A few tweaks and it'll be more sustainable. Cheri

Eva~ Have you seen the Wall-E movie yet? Nelson has the little miniatures from McDonalds, from when the movie came out, and the little guy says "eva!" <with a robotic voice> YouTube - Wall-e saying his name Click on the youtube link. It's one of the cutest parts in the movie. You will never say your name to people the same way! : ) I love sushi that is cooked. I love the spicy rolls. I will eat the ones with seafood that is cooked, or vegetarian ones. I have to use a lot of wasabi in my soy sauce. The spicier the better. When I lived in Atlanta, I would eat raw fish b/c it was really fresh and good. Here in the middle of no where- no one here really eats it & things have been sitting a while. Nels loves Japanese chicken fried rice like at Benihana, where they cook in front of you. Yeah, We have to bring a gift. And this time a year, if you don't bring a gift receipt then people think you are "re-gifting". I bought something at Walmart for the two brothers on Sunday and the cashier forgot to print the gift receipt! She pointed to customer service with a line of 20+ people and told me I had to go there. I kindly refused and asked her to call a manager. They fixed it at the register. The party today, we have known the family for 3 years now. This kid is adopted, like Nelson, and is SPOILED rotten! He is the only grandkid for both sides. His mother "registered" at the local toy store for his party!!! They give you a big clear rubbermaid bin with your name on it. Then when people come to get you a present, they pick from the bin and it gets removed so somebody else won't buy it. The store is quite expensive/overpriced. It is sad that kids today are so overindulged that we have to have a gift registry! I will never forget one of the first parties we went to, I had bought a very "practical" gift for the kid. Paper, markers, stencils, game book- it all came in a big zippered lapdesk that you could travel with. The parents LOVED it (b/c they were driving to New England) but the the kid threw it to the side and grabbed a Spider Man gift. Nelson was too young to notice, but I remember thinking 1) It's NEVER a good idea for kids to open gifts at a party 2) Teach your kids to say THANK YOU, no matter what it is. Well, it's raining here and 41 but the report says "feels like 34". They are predicting SNOW in some parts of Florida today!!! (Orlando and north!) This weather is getting weirder. I feel sorry for the mom who is giving this party. She has a big bounce house for the kids and a petting zoo with pony rides coming! All will be rained out. Nelson LOVES parties! It's why I go. My little social butterfly. DH waltzed in at 4am. He looked soooooo tired! Nothing like working a shift from 530 am to the next day 4 am. That's a long day. I'm gonna let him sleep late. I purposely woke up early and came to Nelson's room to snuggle. He woke up quietly instead of coming to our room and jumping on the bed! Now we are on this side of the house watching tv and hanging out. Will CBL...Laura

Morning to all. It looks to be another nice, sunny day - high yesterday around 50 - we are all loving this so much. DH took Aylah to the park the other day and again yesterday afternoon -- still wearing hats, gloves and coats, but it still feels good. Supposed to get some flurries next week - -doubt it will amount to much - I AM positive thinking the weather to be good for awhile - let's see how that works. Ha. Janet did you get Vista? I really like it - I've had it about 2 years now - so there's probably something even newer out there now. We went out for Mexican last night - they had a "chicken fahita salad" which is basically just the same as fahitas except they throw it in a crispy shell and add a little lettuce to the top - didn't eat any of the shell. And, instead of it costing $12 (fahitas) it was only $7.40. And it was more than I could eat. It was tasty indeed. Aylah loves tacos so she had a taco and fries and Beans -- I'm so glad she loves beans -- she got up this morning and wanted leftover beans for her Breakfast. I love that!! I have our awards lunch on Wednes. and they sent the menu out the other day -- 4 cheese and sausage lasagne, cesear salad, garlic breadsticks and turtle cheesecake!! Wow, that's more calories than I usually eat in a few days. Oh well, I'll nibble -- at least my DH will be attending this one since I'm an honoree this time and he can eat half of my food. I wish they'd have some "healthy" options but all they ever offer is vegetarian and like this time it was the same food EXCEPT they don't put the sausage in the lasagne so it wouldn't be much better. Cheri hope all is well with you -- not like you to be missing for a few days -- I guess school is keeping you busy. Jodi, how's the bat mitzvah plans coming along? Have you found a dress for you yet? Gotta get ready for the gym -- have a great weekend everyone! Linda

a) you look amazing you cannot nor should not compare yourself to your hubby!! EVER>> remember Men are from MARS girlfriend!!!! c) From my personal experience I have not been able to eat more than 1000 calories since way before my surgery- In my change I have become a vegetarian and relying fruits and veggies (occasional) fish for my food and let me tell you- since dong soo I feel 1000% better, lighter, healthier NEVER hungry and I can eat what I want when I want and how much of it I want because it is good for me.... not saying this is for everyone by any means- BUT if you feel you may be eating too much- you should try adding more fruits and veggies you can NEVER get too much of those and they fill you right away-

I went in asking for bypass, and my surgeon talked me into VSG. So glad that he did. Two reasons: -I am a vegetarian so already have to be careful about nutrient absorption, especailly B12--and RNY as a malabsorptive procedure would have made that even more difficult; 2. -I wanted to be able to take NSAIDs, and while my surgeon allows RNY patients to do so with a PPI after a waiting period, I wanted to be able to take them more liberally if needed, and VSG allows you to do that (I will always take a gastric-protective med though)

I think a lot of eating meat after surgery involves getting past the hurdle that it might hurt. I make sure that I have some kind of sauce/moisture for meat and that I cut it into small bites and chew well. My sleeve (Rex) still won't tolerate anything remotely spicy, but I can now eat almost any meat without issues. As Meg said, there are many alternatives for Protein without eating meat. We have quite a few vegetarian sleevers around here. I love to check their group for new ideas. I personally eat a lot of cheese to help boost my protein intake, and I like a babybel in the morning before my Vitamins so that I don't get nauseous. SleevedMom, if you're getting nauseous from just putting the meat in your mouth, do YOU think it's a head issue or do you get sick once you chew up and swallow the meat? If it's a head issue, it may be time for a chat with your nutritionist or doctor about whether you're really ready for meat. It might even be a good idea to talk to a therapist about the meat issue. If it's a physical issue, for instance your tummy gets upset when you eat meat, you may just need to eat more vegetarian for a while. I've seen people who have continued with only protein bars/shakes long-term, and they do lose weight. IME, though, those people are the ones who never transition back to "normal" life. My late friend's sister in law is one of those and the sister in law ends up in the ER regularly because of malnutrition and dehydration. The sister in law says it's "too hard" to get in her Water and to eat normal food. Each time she goes in the hospital, they work on getting her into a routine where she's eating regular food and drinking water. She will comply long enough to get out of the hospital, then she's right back to only eating protein bars and drinking very little. Personally, I think the woman now has anorexia or something similar. It is really important to try to transition to getting your protein from food, but you may need some softer Proteins and some guidance from a nutritionist or therapist to get to that point. I think that is a very natural reaction since we've had such restricted diets before and after surgery. Add in that none of us want to damage our new sleeves and leaks are a terrifying complication, and it's a wonder that any of us ever manage to transition back to "regular" food after surgery! Good luck!! Please let us know how it goes.

My doctor's clinic has two in-house nutritionists. I do think it's very helpful. I would have had no idea how to navigate meals and supplements without their guidance early on. The sleeve is just so different from anything else one has experienced prior. But, I would be very sure to find a nut that not only has sleeve specific experience, but vegetarian sleeve also. I am a "flexitarian" and used to eat 50 - 75% vegetarian. I found that very difficult to continue with the sleeve and Protein requirements of 75-80 grams a day. It can be done, but your options are limited. If you search on here, there have been threads in the past from veg sleevers that I'm sure would be helpful to you.

I am a vegetarian and have food allergies. Not all my friends are vegetarians. I almost always check menus before I go. it's just part of what I need to do in order not to get sick. I'm pretty good at it so I have a handful of restaurants I frequent that I know are safe, and I'm pretty good at talking to wait staff to make sure I get something safe to eat. For the most part it doesn't really complicate my life.

Has anyone gone vegan or vegetarian after surgery?

I make a lot of bean based soups because I'm vegetarian. I also made a really tasty, but not so pretty dreamed spinach soup. I used veg stock (either my own or low sodium Amy's), a container or premade Orgain organic protein drink (vanilla flavor). I pureed a can of low sodium whit beans with 2 cups of spinach and some roasted garlic. Mix it all together, salt & pepper to taste, a dash of cumin. If you want I you could add some chicken, but I don't eat chicken I added some shredded blanched spinach for garnish.