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I looked to see if there was a thread created for healthy vegan/vegetarian recipes. I didn't see any on the first page, so I created one here. Notice I noted HEALTHY...because we all know there are unhealthy ways of eating vegan/vegetarian diet. We can share our meals and pics (if you have any) with all those who are looking to follow a whole foods plant based diet. Happy sharing ya'll! Don't forget to follow the thread!!!

I came home from work once again. Body aches, head being "squeezed", ugh. There is a virus going around down here that mimics severe allergies/flu. I think I've got it. But since I had the time, I went to the salon and finally got a hair trim that has been needed for quite a long time. Now I'm home about to take a nap, but I'm still marching on with making sure I get a nice meal on today. I'll prep the veggies and have my husband finish it when he gets home. Today will be a kale salad with tortellini (again!!!...I loved it) and a roasted sweet potato and poblano salad as well. Why two salads? well, my poblano peppers are going to go bad if I don't hurry up and use them. Here are my recipes is anyone is interested. https://www.budgetbytes.com/2010/01/roasted-poblano-and-sweet-potato-salad/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/2014/01/kale-tortellini-cranberry-salad/ Also, do ya'll think we should utilize a vegan/vegetarian thread for recipes only? Or here is okay? Is there one? I haven't checked. UPDATE: I created a HEALTHY Vegan/Vegetarian Recipe Swap and Pics thread....come join in!

I get almost all my vegan/vegetarian recipes from budgetbytes.com very easy and cheaper too. There are a few of us in the Proteinaholic thread that share recipe links and pics if you'd like to check those out as well.

Have stopped eating meat...any one else a vegetarian out there? How do I keep low carb/ high protein? I am still eating dairy and eggs! Advice?

How about we all share a recipe or so with eachother? Lol even ones with meat because even though I'm a vegetarian my kids are not. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am an independent Ambassador with Plexus and RNY post surgery PT. We have a great protein powder in chocolate and vanilla called P96 as it's only 96 cals helps with sustained energy, helps control hunger and curb cravings, builds lean muscle, 15 g of hi quality whey protein, gluten free, 100% vegetarian, Non-GMO vanilla. After surgery, we need to repair the gut flora in our stomach and intestines and 70-80% of our immune system lies in our gut. That means that's where our health lies. We need to take such great care of increasing the good gut bacteria and microflora and ridding the bad bacteria as well as keeping some of the good. What Plexus products do is to assist with this process by increasing this process by pre and probiotics in amounts more than is offered in stores plus they do much more. And we have biotics to help with pain, mood and stress, and nerve pain, heart health, vitamins, and as a Nurse these REALLY REALLY WORK!! Let me know if I can help your stomach in this process.

I've been vegetarian for 47 years and even I am wondering what the hell I'm going to do for protein. I was not a very good vegetarian (hence me having to get surgery) - I relied on bread, cheese, pastas, etc. I get my surgery done next week and I'm kind of winging it I guess. I will figure it out as I go. Nothing like being thrown in at the deep end

This is where the debates start. I am two year out and I still do protein shakes, one for breakfast and one after I leave the gym. The problem with veggie only diets is you need to pay close attention to your protein intake, this is because most veggies are incomplete proteins. Now I know all the vegetarians out there are going to get on their soap box and tell me how wrong I am. Please try to keep in mind I am a medical lab professional so I know just a bit about the topic. Protein is something your body does not have the ability to store, and if you do not get enough your body will go catabolic and break down muscle tissue, not a place you want to go.

I'm not vegetarian, but after weeks of shakes and puree, I wanted veggies too when I was able to have them. At 4 weeks I was on a soft diet. Cooked carrots and green beans were very good and I tolerated them nicely. Things that didn't agree with me that early were lettuce and broccoli. I don't do any quinoa yet as I can't imagine if I accidentally eat too much and then it expands after it gets to your stomach. Just make sure you focus on getting your protein in first, you probably won't be able to eat very much at one sitting. I'm just past 3 months out and I still supplement with protein shakes or protein bars on a daily basis.

I am currently reading the book and have started making the change to vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. I love the book! Since my sleeve surgery I haven't been able to really tolerate much protein and would get most of my daily amount from shakes. I have been so confused on what I should eat even after almost 3 years. So I was excited to know that I there is an alternatives and that it's ok to not have so much protein especially since it doesn't set well with tummy . I have had on going digestive issues and feel the main cause is dairy. I have cut out dairy and most meat protein for the last week and a half. I am proud to report that for the first time in months I have had almost no issues with digestion. WOW! So happy there are like minded bariatric people to share with.

I was vegetarian for awhile. The funny thing is, go to subway and get all the veggies you normally would without the meat and you'd be surprised that you probably won't even miss it. My problem was to much pasta and carbs [emoji30]

Sorry for my ignorance, A big mac without the meat? So what are you eating? The bun and cheese and pickles? Or is their like a vegetarian big mac

Thanks Berry. I made this group because as an ovo vegetarian and picky eater it is hard for me to get the healthy protein foods. I can eat/deal with very few foods at a time and get sick of it in months. As the only vegetarian in the wls group a t office I didn't have the support or knowledge to succeed in the weight loss journey. If I knew then what I know now it would be different. I just don't want othets to make same wrong choices I did. Vegetarian/vegan/meat eaters....we can all be there supporting eachother.[emoji16] Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Coyote, I think that most nutritionists are well versed in diets based around meat as the main protein source. I think these are the nutritionists that work closely with bariatric patients. Low carb/keto diets generally are responsible for the fastest weight loss. It is not uncommon to lose 7 pounds per week on these diets. The goal for bariatric patients is to lose weight as safely, but as quickly as possible to stabilize whatever ailments or conditions that they are experiencing. Let's face it....A high carb, low fat diet is effective for weight loss, but it isn't as quick. Add to that, French fries, potato chips, and CANDY are all vegetarian foods. A lot of vegetarians (myself included in the past) eat highly processed foods that aren't healthy, and don't contribute to weight loss. I have met several overweight and obese vegetarians in my lifetime. If it is done correctly, meaning no or minimally processed foods and sugar laden foods, it can be a very successful diet for a lifetime. I have never been able to stay on a diet for more than a few months, but I was a vegetarian for a little over 3 years. The only reason that I left it was because I was unhappy at still being over 260 pounds. This was because I ate a lot of the wrong things. I should have been happy that my levels were all excellent, but I focused on weight instead. One thing that sticks with me though......My uncle died 2 years ago of brain cancer. He was about 6'0", and 175 pounds when he was diagnosed at 55 years old. We thought he was very healthy. He was a hunter, and heavy meat and cheese eater. One day, he started just getting tired, which was the reason he reached out to his doctor. Anyway, to make a long story short...He had stage 4 brain cancer. MD Anderson in Houston urged him to give up the meat, cheese, milk products and processed foods. They wanted him to do a plant based diet. He was told that he only had 2-3 months to live. On this diet, his tumor started to decrease. He made it another 2 years before he succumbed to the disease. He was tired of fighting, and so he stopped. I asked my aunt why they gave him the plant based diet to follow in the first place. She told me that they told her that the fat and sugar in his diet fed cancer cells. I don't know if this is a fact since this was 1 doctor that said that, but he is a highly respected surgeon at MD Anderson, so I have to take his word for it. I would listen to your nutritionist in the short term, because your life is in their hands. After you are out of the danger zone, I would do whatever you feel is best for you. I know I will.

I was worried about spicy food before surgery, but I'm 2.5 weeks out now and loving the heat. Haven't had any issues from that, my only negatives have been food that is too heavy/fatty. Traditional refried beans vs. vegetarian ones, beef vs. chicken, that sort of thing.

FluffyChix, it is a great read. It is actually a book that he pushes for non-wls patients as well. His premise is that if you eat 1-2 pounds of leafy greens and other veggies per day, you won't have room for most of the bad foods that cause weight gain and health issues. I did it for a few weeks, and did lose weight. My problem was that I could eat 5-7 cups or up to 3 pounds of food in 1 sitting. I ate the 1-2 pounds per day, and then still had room for a lot of other food. I think it could work wonders for me now if I can find a way to deal with the protein issue. I too ate a lot of Morningstar Farms as a vegetarian. I still have tons of veggie crumbles, veggie breakfast sausages and buffalo chicken nuggets in my freezer. I prefer them to the real thing as they are less greasy and "healthier". I would like to find a healthier option though. They really help with the protein dilemma, but utilize vital wheat gluten as a protein source which is definitely a problem for me. I stopped drinking milk, and whey based protein shakes years ago after I watched Forks over Knives and a few other documentaries. Now I find myself indulging in them once more out of necessity right now. Veggie sourced protein shakes are just too chalky for me. They also have very little protein compared to whey sources. I would be interested in leaving these behind if I could get what I need from food alone. I am open to leaving fish on the menu long term if I can get rid of milk, whey based protein sources, cheese, and other meats. I like tofu, and seitan. I think that maybe using these sources with egg whites, and maybe having salmon a couple of times per week will be good for me. We will see what the future holds. I have a little time to figure it all out.

@DropWt4Life How well do you like his book? I'm considering getting it. I hear ya on the 1/2 cup food at a sitting. I don't really get that either. I'll go rewatch that video too! I'm not really looking to go vegetarian, but in my old life before disease, I liked to take "meals off" from meat proteins. I used to love Boca Burgers and Morning Star Farms Griller burgers. Then I developed a hormone positive disease and my doc doesn't want me eating soy any longer. So that kinda sucked. It would be lovely to have some variety and have that flexibility when you just don't feel like making turkey, chicken, or fish! You know? And I eat tons of eggs and egg whites--which I still love, but still...

Following this thread I went to my NUT appointment yesterday and we talked about my desire to phase out meat. I was a strict vegetarian for 8 years and I dropped the weight but couldn't keep it off...I turned into a carbitarian eating french fries, breads, etc. NUT says WLS and veg lifestyle doesn't mix but that she's welcome to talk about it at my 6-month appointment in January. I feel that we can make it work if we really want to eliminate meat from our diet.

DropWt4Life try cooklight.com or just search high protein vegetarian foods. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

OMGosh! Your dishes look so TASTEY! I have to learn how to work with Tofu. I tried in the past, before I went vegetarian just because I like tofu, but I didn't have much success. Those nachos are right up my alley because it's QUICK.

I have not had the same experience, but was an ovo vegetarian for 3 years. I still eat a mostly vegetarian diet with fish/turkey incorporated (have to right now). Once I am farther away from surgery, I will probably move back or at the very least become a pescatarian. I just have to get better at getting my protein without the addition of mock meats, whey protein shakes and CHEESE! I love egg whites, but just can't stand to eat them everyday. Veggie Protein is nasty to me, and very chalky as well. I will figure something out, because I just don't want to go back to animal foods being 60%+ of my diet long term. I feel better at 20% or less. I would be interested in hearing ideas about getting protein in without meat, mock meats, whey protein, cheese and milk, and/or an excess of tofu/soy products. The sheer amount of food I was able to take in in one sitting helped me reach my protein goals before (5-7 cups), but this will not be enough while I can only consume 1/2 cup of food.

I wish I knew more high protein low carb foods I could eat as an ovo vegetarian. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am ovo vegetarian. Sleeve made me lactose intolerant. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone. I am new here. I had sleeve surgery in Feb of 2015. Going for a revision to get either sleeve or gb on 9-11(was supposed to get gb in 1st place...). My life has been crazy finding healthy low carb high protein foods after surgery. I am a ovo vegetarian (sleeve mad me lactose intolerant). I'm making this group for anyone in same condition as me or anyone in general. We can all help eachother. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Monster muffins (sweet spinach), vegan breakfast oat bars, sweet potato banana bites (vegetarian), and oatmeal energy balls....just some things on the menu today. My house smells wonderful!!!! For dinner I'm making spicy black bean nachos. I feel like I should be barefoot and pregnant lol I'll be in the kitchen most all day today.