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Lemme ask you guyst some questions 1) are you not hungry with less portine? I hear vegetarians don't get the seity that protine-first meat eaters do. I also worry about the blood sugar swings of carbs causing hunger. 2) the set point smoothies were not hard on your stomache early out? 3) do you drink (or is it recommend) green juice? (No fruit, just kale, tomatoe, celery, bell pepper, etc with maybe protine powder early out when you can't eat much to get more nutrition)

I have a lapband, but I understand your pain. I want to tell you, failing to lose has many causes--I know, I lived on less than 1000 calories a day for years and never lost an ounce. My lapband didn't help me lose much and my first doctor wouldn't give me a fill. So I found another who did. I am practically wheelchair bound (can only hobble around the house). So I started to lose--slowly. the big help was I didn't regain what I lost. One thing I've never heard a doctor explain to me is that excessive hunger can be giving you a message. So many diets I went on ended with me lying in bed, weak and starving within weeks. What I didn't realize was that my body was telling me those diets weren't nutritionally what I needed. I've tried low fat-high fiber, low calorie, vegetarian, all raw salads, lot's of nuts, praying the weight away, self-hypnosis, bodybuilding, lots of exercise...you get the idea. All of them failed because I wasn't listening to my body. When I got so hungry I would eat nails if there was ketchup to put on them, my body was telling me I was on the wrong diet. This isn't a normal,"Gee, that looks tasty." But was more like a weak pathetic cry from my bed that I was dying and had to eat. I kept experimenting and discovered a ketogenic diet helped, but I gained everything back quickly. As I worked with the keto diet, I learned I wasn't drinking enough water, and I wasn't sleeping enough. But the high protein with lots of greens was definitely a better choice than the others. Then I got the lapband, and the slow weight loss with no restriction was discouraging. But it was a tool. And once I got restriction, I used that tool. I mostly stayed on the ketogenic diet. Lots of protein was just a necessity for me. The fat I ate made the diet more enjoyable. The lapband made me eat small bites, or I spent days puking. If I got sick, I had to reduce what I ate because sickness caused my stomach to swell, and I puked. Over the last ten years I've lived on the ketogenic diet, except for two years when I lost control, (I gained 50 pounds and found I had cancer. I believe the sugar cravings after being in control so long were a result of the cancer.) Back in control, and the 50 pounds went away. I've managed to lose 160 pounds. Not a large amount, and I still have over 100 pounds to go. But I am happy not to be the woman I was. I don't know if the ketogenic diet will help you, but I'm sharing my experience to show you have to experiment to find the right diet. And you have to sleep enough to lose weight. So, get the junk out of your house--the chips, crackers, cake mixes, candy, soda, snack food, juices (fruit juice is just liquid sugar water with a few minerals, eat whole fruit instead), and the alcohol (You can go back to 1 drink a day after you've lost weight). And start the eating pattern you feel best on. Just practice eating a healthy diet for a bit. Don't eat much at a time and keep any easy to snack on food (like grapes or nuts) in the refrigerator. Then start working your tool. go longer between small meals, see what happens when you delete starches, or what foods change how you feel. I had to stop vegetarian because beans make me uncontrollably hungry(love those beans, yumm, yumm). Your body is unique, and just because you haven't found what works for you doesn't mean you're a failure. It just means you haven't found the balance of diet, sleep and exercise that works for you. The important thing is NEVER GIVE UP. After 10 years with the band, I'm revising to a sleeve this spring. I love my band, but there is evidence it doesn't do well after 10 years or so. I feel I will do even better on the sleeve.

You are going hard for carbs lately. Keep it up. I think that, in the future, we will look back on our current anti-carb obsession with the same derision as we look back on the anti-fat nonsense of the 1990s. It's a fad. It will pass. Nutrition science is in its infancy, and every single nutritionist I've ever met, and most I've followed online for any time, have been dogmatic. There are dogmatic vegetarian/vegan nutritionists, dogmatic anti-carb nutritionists (bariatric teams seem to hire them disproportionately often), dogmatic "three meals/no snacks" nutritionists, dogmatic "eat small amounts all day" nutritionists. More than one nutritionist I've had the misfortune to deal with has been entirely ignorant about the research surrounding BMR changes brought on by diet, probably because their paycheck required them to stay ignorant. They all (all of them I've met and nearly all of them whose websites I visit) cherry-pick their sources, ignoring the things they don't want to integrate into their practice. Nutrition "science," as practiced in client-facing situations, is just survivorship bias writ large. "Well this all works for ME." MEH! ... Hi, I'm CrankyMagpie, and I didn't know I had a rant waiting to get out, but here we are.

Yep, I eat them all. Love them. They're a daily part of my diet. Sometimes multiple times a day. OMG, they're carbs! Yep, they are. But they're not refined, over-processed, or bad. And you know what else they are? Excellent sources of plant based protein and fiber. A baked potato has 160 calories. By itself, it has 4g of protein. Throw some vegetarian chili on there and you're in the high teens. Awesome lunch! Brown rice...half a cup has around 100 calories and 3g of protein. Add some bean or peas and you've got complete amino acids...tons of protein... and a crazy awesome amount of fiber. Why is dietary fiber important? To grow good gut bugs. Your microbiota and the health of your gut (and metabolism) depend on happy little bacteria. The strains of gut bugs that live in the guts of skinny people....have a favorite food: dietary fiber. Feed your good bugs good things and they'll be good to you. They like to eat fruit, veggies, beans, whole wheat bread... Whole wheat bread? I eat this A LOT:) For instance.....A lite Thomas English wheat muffin has 5g of protein for 100 calories. This dietary powerhouse has 8g of dietary fiber! Smear that sucker with your favorite nut butter or fruit preserves, and you're in business. One of my favorite go-to dinners these days...... is fresh homemade wheat bread with 16 veggie soup...and fruit for dessert. I eat about four servings of fruit a day...and that's not even counting the watermelon I huddle over in the car while hissing "My Precious...." LOL:) A banana is not "a candy bar" A banana is a wonderful healthy food. I eat lots of them. Hell, I have a Yonanas that makes them into ice cream. They're terrific. Normal weight does not HAVE to mean giving up carbs. It means being carb smart, balancing, and making mindful choices. More than one way to do this whole thing. Weight loss success does not mean ONLY eating meat for the rest of your life with broccoli on the side. That's great once in a while, though! Not trying to tell anyone they're doing it wrong.....just sayin'....there's more than one way to do it right:) Extreme thinking, extreme dieting, extreme self denial....is not sustainable. Work on a forever diet you can live with. Be mindful, be accountable....but be kind to yourself.

Do you cook in a cast iron pan? I'd cook everything in one if I were you! https://www.nomeatathlete.com/iron-for-vegetarians/ https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/78/3/633S/4690005 Also, can you tolerate pate? Especially if you use livers from Whole Foods? I have an awesome recipe for green peppercorn pate that makes getting down chicken liver flat dreamy! Also have a great recipe for authentic "chopped livah" that's absolutely divine especially with the Wasa rye crackers!! Let me know if you want those recipes btw. I'm sure you know all about adding enough things with zinc, vit c, and carotenoids also helps iron absorption? ((hugs)) sweetie! Thanks for telling me about the cream of tartar! I think some of the issue (cuz it hasn't been low until now) is that I'm also having some intestinal disturbance along with the whatever is happening in my gut thing...you know? So I'm sure I'm losing some potassium through um, you know...TMI.

There's also an entire sub-forum: https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1101-vegetarian-or-vegan-eating/

There are 190 instances of the word Vegetarian on the site, check through these search results, might have what you are looking for. https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=vegetarian

Hi Everyone! Is there a thread for Vegetarians? I couldn't seem to find one.

That’s so reassuring. They’re vegetarian thankfully. What about portions? I’m worried they’re think I don’t like the food

Spent Friday afternoon cooking a bunch of purees for after surgery - spinach, sweet potato, butternut squash, and black bean. I like to pre-prepare foods and even though surgery is two weeks away and I'll have two weeks after that before I get to purees, I just wanted to do something to feel prepared. Disclaimer for the following: I'm really just rambling here because I need to say this somewhere, but don't have anyone here to talk to about it (until I meet with my therapist next week), so not looking for anyone to make this decision for me. I am really not sure if I want to do this. I am terrible at making big decisions like this, so I know that I'll never be sure. I have tried everything to lose weight, and nothing has worked. So mentally I know this is the only way to do it for me. But I still just don't want to - I don't want to have any surgery (I've been putting off fixing a ligament tear for 2 years), I'm afraid that as a pescatarian (who really doesn't eat that much fish - mostly vegetarian foods), I wont be able to get enough protein without shakes (even in the long term) or that I'll have to start eating chicken after 25 years of not), and I have other fears. But I'm also afraid if I don't I'll just keep gaining and not be able to stay in my multi-story home or travel or oh so many things. Anyway, like I said, I just needed to get this out in the universe. I plan to have an extra long session with my therapist next week to talk all this through (she specializes in weight issues and is great).

One can of vegetarian retried beans split between 5 1/2 cup bowls with a sprinkle of cheese on top. Just ready to be popped into the microwave for a minute or so for a meal.

I usually get a naked turkey/or vegetarian burger (burger wrapped in lettuce instead of bread) or just tea and coffee when everything is too crazy. Ask for calorie info if it's not provided, that should help guide your decisions

My favorites: WATERMELON! Can't get enough of it...and it's going out of season. This worries me. LOL Grapes Blueberry protein silver dollar pancakes ( half a cup of oatmeal, quarter cup of cottage cheese, half teaspoon baking powder, two egg whites, splash of almond milk...zap in blender...makes an awesome low glycemic, whole grain pancake batter high in protein...and even better, it tastes AMAZING) Bowls and bowls of homemade veggie soup: Carrots, celery, onion, garlic, zucchini, yellow squash, garlic, mushrooms, red peppers, cabbage, corn, red kidney beans, tomatoes, and any other veggie that happens to be hanging around. Homemade whole wheat bread with nut butters, or toasted with olive oil and goat cheese with dried cranberries Pistachios, pecans, almonds Apples Fiber One bars Pure Protein Chocolate Delux bars Toasted chickpeas Baked potatoes with cheese, or vegetarian chili, or both on top:) Miso soup with tofu Carrots and hummus Half a Burger King Veggie burger, just how they make it:) Yonanas soft serve frozen bananas with chocolate syrup, pecans, strawberries, pineapple, and light whipped cream Yasso bars...the fudgecicle ones

@Biddy zz and @GreenTealael Your question about Mrs. Biddy getting shakes refers to hypoglycemia. You need to get a blood glucose meter and monitor it. I think Dr. Fung says some of this is to be expected in the early days (shakiness), but am not quite sure? One thing for sure is that she is a sugar burner by virtue of her long-standing vegetarian lifestyle--as most SAV diets are defined here. But it may be diff in NZ. Funny, my observation of a large portion of Americans who claim to be "vegetarian" are posers. What they are REALLY and TRULY claiming is a myth and the reality is that most of the so-called vegetarians are really just "pasta and rice, bread, crackers, chips and cheese addicts who don't eat meat protein". I know that sounds harsh but I've seen it in action here and these people are MO. I eat more veggies and berries than they do even as a RNY post-surgery patient. And example of a bonafide vegetarian would be @GreenTealael. Her menus and food choices are beautiful, well-rounded and balanced (and are also lower carb to the point of keto). So I would think the easier route which she may not want to do would be to go low carb for a while first. Which will also take those 3-5lbs off of her in a hurry. You can still do that with vegetarian lifestyle, you just have to be very tricky about where the protein comes from...is she vegan or vegetarian? Does she eat eggs or fish or dairy of any kind? Do y'all have quorn protein there? Then once she is used to having cut out all "white stuff" and most grains, it gets WAY easier to IF for longer periods of time.If she doesn't want to do that, then she needs to try IF in baby steps. And that would be slowly delay breakfast for an hour longer each morning, but it's a slow walk down. Keep the nightly food curfew and try to get her to cut out sugar and white flours, subbing for whole grains, legumes, etc and slower acting carbohydrate while adding in LOTS of varied leafy greens, cruciferous veg, brassicas, onion/garlic/leek/green onion, and great herbs., and limiting the serving sizes of root veg and winter squashes. But again, please get Dr. Fung's book on The Complete Book of Fasting and don't take dietary advice from me. I'm just a schmoe on the internet and only can say what works for me according to my super-messed up metabolism!!!! ((hugs))

Thanks @ellie123! Nope, I'm not a vegetarian or vegan. I'm just trying to get my body to a healthier place. I couldn't fully give up meat or even dairy. Lately I've been eating "lots" 9f cheese. It's a great snack addition. Wednesday I start back my weekly injection for RA that tends to make me sick if I don't eat beef that day. It's so strange! When I have bloodwork I have to eat beef the day before and day of also otherwise I get sick. I don't have low iron so it's weird that I get sick from that. My energy level is so low still. I've got to do something to get it back up. Before surgery I was working an average of 50 hours a week (by my own choice). Now it's a struggle to get in 40. I don't like that one bit. Neither do our finances. I've seen lots of people eating eggs for protein but I'm allergic. My other food allergies aren't as severe but there's lots of foods I avoid. Recently I learned that non-antibiotic-free chicken causes my body lots of pain and makes it harder to move. I'm trying to pinpoint foods that make my pain and stiffness worse so I can eliminate them or at least eat them very rarely. I just want to be healthy and be able to grow old without a lot of issues.

Hearty Vegetarian Meatless meat/Chickpea/Great White Bean Coconut Punjab Curry stew!!! I initially made it for myself and wanted kids to taste. They could not believe it had no meat! Kids had it on a bed of soft fluffy Jasmine rice! I had it with a few rice grains on top as a topping lol, but we all shared a delicious nutritious hearty filling meal. Kids came back for 2nd and 3rds!!! I was hoping I would at least have one serving for another meal...nada, they lapped it all up!!!

I was a vegetarian before this but carbs were the main problem. I love good quality meat but I love veggies. I really want a bowl of sautéed green beans atm

I love Dr. Weiner and his philosophy. And I love your IF take. It gives me hope! Although I don't want to become a vegetarian, I do heart veggies (less so fruits), and I do try to get close to or a pound of them a day--especially leafy greens, cruciferous, or the brassicas! (When I'm not doing a 24 hour fast of course. LOL.)

I've been doing the world soup tour: cream of chicken and broccoli, miso soup with tofu, Mexican meatball soup with vegetables, heart healthy vegetarian chili with beans, wonton soup base with scallions and ginger—each one blended into oblivion via my Vitamix. What's also good is that these freeze well, so I just have a taste of each and store the rest. I feel like I have variety and am not bored.

Everyone is welcome to my table! I'm an ovo lacto pescaterian So I super flexible but I still don't eat much dairy or eggs because they don't always agree with me, not my stomach necessarily but it shows up in my skin... Being vegan is an eventuality but I want to get far enough away from goal first because carbs... Funny I usually get enough fiber in when I'm eating vegetarian but not when I eat meat meals because I don't use chia, flax, hemp, psyllium etc. I 💟 Smooth Move, but you have to set your plans for being close to the bathroom. For a while.

Yes, she is. She'd like to be around for quite a bit longer. Like you, she also avoids anything with soybeans, but she does eat other beans. It is very difficult to be vegetarian and avoid soy products. They make up a huge portion of the products available.

((BIG HUG)) My best friend has the type of breast cancer that is very estrogen sensitive, so even though she's quite thin, she is almost entirely vegetarian since most meat products and dairy have at least some estrogen. When we go out to lunch I research new places for vegetarian food. She will occasionally eat fish, but she doesn't really care for it. Her cancer is in remission and she's working hard to keep it that way.

Honey. I'm really glad to see you going back to embracing your vegetarian/vegan roots. I think you have to do you. I honestly do. Taking that other stress away is infinitely important!!! Maybe you will explore and find room there for some tiny bit of compromise--maybe things like eggs or fish -- and maybe not. Meh. You will figure it out. You are one smalrt cookie and you know your body best!!! (Maybe I'll lift a cup or two of Smooth Move in your honor today! )One thing I do know from reading the current studies--is that fiber, especially prebiotics/soluble fibers appear to be very important. Today. hehe--that could change tomorrow. And the other thing I know is your meals are beautiful!!! I'm a died in the wool omnivore--but I would love to join you at your table any day. GORGEOUS food. Love the marinade. I'm going to try that soon!!! Love that salad!

Let me tell you all: I was born to be a vegetarian. I had to do a cleanse just to set my system right... I will still be cleansing for a few more days, thanks Smooth Move tea! Lol That's why I was a no show... it was a shorter fast for me because , well it's the weekend and I don't usually fast on Saturdays. Today I had oatmeal (rare) and yogurt together, the salad below and a mini kind bar (something else but I can't remember) & banana protein shake in iced coffee (really good) thanks @FluffyChix MPF says I had 1000 cals, 92g protein, 70ish of carbs, I ignore fats, I eat enough nuts to know it high... So here's my salad. Black bean and avocado salad. Water tea coffee on repeat...

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