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First off thanks everyone for taking the time to answer and for the advice. I guess I'm stressing a lot on protein because I became vegetarian 2 months ago and even with out the surgery it's been a rough couple weeks

my new favorite alternate source of protein is boiled peanuts. but, peanuts, lentils, Beans and other nuts are good sources of protein and are all a nice change in texture from what you have been eating. If you want more details on stuff like this you could search the internet for vegetarian or vegan recipes - there is a LOT you can do for protein without limiting yourself to meat sources.

Check the label, most of those shots are heavy in low quality collagen protein (made from animal skin) . I was told not to bother with anything but whey isolate. I was tempted too, but they are not lacto/vegetarian, which I am.

How about this: take grapes and dip them in Greek Yogurt. Then dip them in crushed nuts like pecans. Allow that to try in the fridge. Healthy snack, you get Protein from the nuts and yogurt, and some fat/dairy. Look around for salad dressings on Walden Farms. I know they have a ton of different ones that are free of a bunch of things. I'm a proponent of using lemon juice and Water. Make your own green goddess dressing, its not popular like it was. What about bacon vinegrette? I am on a lot of vegetarian or vegan lists. You can pick up a lot of tips on the protein that is plant based (and not just beans) to help you get in nutrients, they're not highly caloric, and are a different taste, something you can join in with the whole family if you want to make them. So you make connections over food that is positive.

Just Google hemp Protein, soy protein, pea protein, egg protein, vegan Protein powder, etc. there are dozens of non- dairy Protein drinks out there. Ones I've found and use are Garden of Life Raw Fit and Raw Protein and Spirutein. Didn't like the Jay Robb egg (too "eggy"). But seriously, you will be overwhelmed with the choices. And you can always mix them with soy milk for even more protein....don't bother with almond milk, it has almost no protein. As for the ready made part, I have never seen Non-dairy RTD shakes out there. Maybe post on the vegetarian subforum to see if anyone else has.

I have a difficult time with the "milky" looking Protein powders and decided to try the clear Isopure Zero Carb drinks instead. They still have whey isolate protein in them, but you can see through them and for some reason they are going over so much better. I'm hoping I can handle the powders again soon and plan to reintroduce them in a week or so. I also had the heart pounding following meals/protein drinks shortly after surgery -- I'm only two weeks out, but it has gone away completely. I don't think I was dumping. I'm extremely conscious of the number of carbohydrates (not just the sugars on the label, but how many grams of carb are in each item) I consume. I'm a vegetarian, so many of my protein sources have carbohydrates in them (like refried fat free Beans and tofu). I never take in more than 15 grams of carb total per meal and it seems to be working for me so far. That is about how many carbs are in half a cup of anything carb-containing that does not have added sugar it seems. I wanted to ask -- are you using whey isolate or regular whey Protein Powder? The isolate has little to no lactose in it, but regular whey does have lactose. I don't know if that would make a difference to you or not in how your body processes the protein if you were to switch to an isolate if you don't already use one. Or, perhaps, pick up some Lactaid and see if taking that enzyme helps you if the problem is lactose intolerance. I also find that, if I eat too fast, my body responds with the rapid heart rate, hiccupping, and some slight pain in the center of my chest (over my sternum). Are you still on full liquids or are you transitioning into purees now? It was easier for me once I started purees and it was especially better for me when I eat soy instead of dairy as a protein source. My body tolerates soy extremely well, but I get hot and heart poundings (and diarrhea -- sorry, I know it's gross) with dairy. Good luck getting this figured out! I don't know if anything I said helps at all, but I do wish you the best!

No don't regret it I had a tough recovery for 2 months I was in and out of the hospital for dehydration because I wasn't able to eat or drink . I'm also lactose intolerant now and I wasn't before. But I'm 7 months out now and I went from 326 to 209 and I have 59 more pounds to go. Stay strong you'll get through this. Get some almond breeze almond milk. I haven't had my surgery but I gave it up about a year ago because it gave me horrendous diarrhea. (Ice cream too:/) almond milk is really good and had good protein too. I thought of it this way, your drinking another species milk, we usually tolerate it but really is it something we should drink? Especially with all the hormones and stuff we put in it. I'm far from a vegetarian but I really don't like milk anymore.

So u reconnected several years ago with an old high school friend. She had gained a lot of weight and we saw eah other at weight watchers. I lost 12 pounds in 6 months and she lost 50. Fast forward 5 years we're good friends. Hang out at least once a month and she went in vaca with me to Florida this spring. She's lost 80 pounds and still has 150 to go and determined. I have supported her the whole way. She started teaching Zumba I started going with her and telling people about her classes, for instance. She is single I have a family She is bitter about past issues, lives In the past can't get over past hurts some real some perceived. I am blunt and tell her she had to get over these things to move on. She just can't. Can't get over a divorce from 18 years ago, wrongs done by a friend in high school 25 years ago, and just bitter. Frankly the bitterness has been getting to me a lot, especially since surgery. When I told her I was doing this she was completely negative - I know blah blah regained it all blah blah. I should get lap band and consider that first or come to more Zumba and go vegetarian as she did and lose 80 pounds. Well that is not what works for me. A few weeks ago we were at a friends and she was watching me eat and was super critical in my opinion She would never have this because look at my sacrifice and stupidity of this "diet". And how I would have to eat animal flesh forever etc etc Last week she critiqued my ALS bucket challenge. Basically posted on my Facebook that people who do it are stupid idiots. Mknd you I dedicated it to my father in law whondied of ALS 2 years ago. So two nights ago I responded to her post of how she has followers on Facebook and how to correct it. She posts her Zumba stuff and her friends do as well and people follow her. She responds that it was twitter and doesn't use it. So I say deactivate the account. Her response ... Duh if I wanted to deactivate it I would. And proceeds to ask if any other friends can respond. Really? I felt dismissed, offended and said so and responded she didn't have to be such a jerk about it. I then defriended her and unfollowed her on FB. I sent her an email that she had hurt my feelings. And what I got back was that I had called her a name and saw only my side. And that I should go hang our with some of those old HS friends she still has I'll feelings toward. Like really? Is it my emotions or am I crazy? I just don't feel supported and she is bitter. She has never asked me how I feel how I am doing just criticized that one meal quite extensively.

I use the Sun Warrior protein because I'm vegan who is switching to more vegetarian after my surgery. I love it. I use the chocolate flavor and sometime mix in vanilla. However, I do not like the one that says, "New Taste" as it is awful! Good luck to you. I'm two days out and it can't come soon enough!

I use MFP. I count calories, and eat more if I exercise more. I try to keep my diet balanced, I generally use the numbers recommended by MFP, but up my Protein a bit, and follow the 5:2 semi fast 1-2 days a week to maintain. I am 3 1/2 years out, and have found if I don't do this most days/weeks, I will gain weight. I am a vegetarian.

Where to begin I started gaining weight about 7 years ago to date, right before I had my son. Seven years later here I am today on my way to weight loss Surgery. A piece of me feels ashamed I let myself go like this, but all I can do now is pick up the pieces and strive for a better life. Ever since I can remember I had a yoyo weight up and down on the scales. Throughout my teen years I was a vegetarian who never ate meat, or junk. I was the girl you would find riding a bike for miles to lose weight or walking for miles afraid of gaining weight. Now today I’m just the lost FAT GIRL trying to find herself. I decided on weight loss surgery because over the last couple of years the struggle has gotten harder and harder High Blood Pressure, Swollen ankles and legs constantly, and PCOS I’m a mere 32 and something tells me if I want to see 33 or any other age it’s time to make a drastic change not only for me but for my son. So as I began my journey to the other side please, please leave words of encouragement.

Great to reinvigorate the recipes conversation, but likely more helpful on the forum labeled for it. Scroll down in the support groups section and towards the bottom is Food and Nutrition, and it's separated by things like what stage of eating you're in and if your vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. It's a good section and I've found some great ideas there!

Ocean, to answer your questions: I was sleeved April 17, 2014 I was sleeved by Dr Byars in Oxford, MS I work out at least 3 times a week (at least 5 miles cardio and tennis) My diet is about 80% liquid and 20% solid food- protein shakes, sugar free Gatorade, a lot of water... My food rule is "if it has feet, I don't eat" - all animal protein is hard for me, with fish being the only exception. I am an accidental vegetarian- with a fish exception.

I'm 9 weeks out and getting confused about what I should be eating? I know the basics "protein first" but some sources say vegetarian protein, then fish, then maybe animal protein. Some sources say all the veggies and fruit are allowed. Has anyone received direct guidance from a NUT for past 2 months?

I still cannot tolerate beef or pork a year and a half out, and I'm allergic to salmon. I stick with chicken, turkey, and tuna. If I didn't need the protein so much I'd probably just become vegetarian.

I totally concur! As someone who mostly stays away from animal protein, I always thought I got off pretty lucky in that department, but since surgery there has been a major change! I'm still vegetarian (almost fully vegan), but things are... different.

I am a vegetarian almost 3 weeks out. I also wanted to go vegan but I compromised and said once I'm at my goal weight I will. It's pretty hard to get protein in from non animal sources, especially in the purée stage. In the liquid stage you can get soy protein pretty easy. I guess if your really determined and you come up with a plan you'll be able to do it, just remember you'll probably only be able to eat about 4 oz of purees at a time and you need 60 g of protein, also you need to stay under 1000 calories. Talk to your dietician though, I'm sure she'll have advice.

The directions my surgeon gave me were a bit vague, and sort of encouraged me to be intuitive. I was eating purees a few days after surgery, and soft/moist solids after about a week and half or two weeks. I was eating pretty much everything* other than crunchy stuff and raw veggies/fruit by week 3, then after 6 weeks I started adding raw produce in. I've never had any problems with anything I ate, except for some almond butter about a week and a half out, which made my stomach clench. I added healthy nut butters back in at about two months and haven't had an issue. *I'm a vegetarian, so I can't speak to meat.

I was sleeved one week ago today. I'm still on liquids, protein drinks, broth, water, etc. I've been reading posts and sample menus and it seems most people are referring to meat when they reference "protein". I don't eat any red meat, chicken, or pork. I do occasionally eat fish and can eat much more if needed. My question is whether there are vegetarians with high-protein , low-carb staple food items that they swear by (besides Greek yogurt). Tofu? Beans and lentils? Etc?

Oh, cool! Yeah, I'm in the same boat at the moment. Lacto-ovo vegetarian (no gelatin), but I'd love to go vegan again when I hit goal. Good luck!

This one was my favorite for a long time. Garden of Life Raw Fit and Raw Protein are both vegan. <br><br> Spiru-tein has a huge line of vegetarian protein products, but not sure where you stand on the consumption of spirulina.

Garden of Life Raw Fit and Raw Protein are both vegan. Spiru-tein has a huge line of vegetarian protein products, but they aren't marketed as vegan. I can't tell what's not vegan from the ingredients, unless it's the spirulina. Or maybe the bee pollen? Hey, just found this site when trying to find out why Spirutein isn't vegan.... http://veganproteinpowder101.com/vegan-protein-brands/

I am actually not vegen - vegetarian - but I won't eat Gelatin. So when I kept seeing it as a recommended "food" for liquids I went on a Quest for vegan Jello. It's not very good (but I never really liked regular jello, either).

My protocol is minimum 60 protein priority ..veggies an fruits after that's met. I hit 4 wks I can now add CERTAIN fruits still no stringy fiber...but soft fruit trying to still avoid SKIN type fruits. My instructions are 3 meals an 2 small snacks. Watching closely calories. I was told eat all protein first from plate then veggie if u can handle it an salad last..I have been eating string cheese an yogart for snacks to add the protein. .I no vegan is totaly different I have a girlfriend who has been vegetarian for 30 yrs an her diet I don't think is true vegetarian bc she lives pretty much on yogurt an starbucks lol...not sure on rest of her diet..definitely look up on here on vegans for additional help. We just don't want to do anything to cause our tummys problems an stretching. I sure don't want all this to b a waste for me....follow your plan!