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At three years out now, I did it all as a vegetarian. I eat vegan many meals, but the dairy really make it much easier. I think you could go vegan, but just have to be willing to make it work... cook at home, find vegan resturants. There are vegan Protein powders, Beans, nuts, gluten, soy things... check out netrition.com for vegan protein products. I think that eating high protein is most important while losing... after losing, during maintenance, it is my belief that the number can come down a little. It is important to keep the quality of your food high though.

will someone give me food ideas for 3rd week diet? I am vegetarian...what can I eat...feeling weak and tired.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/complex-carbohydrate-examples.html This is a site that introduces you to the best complex carbs for your body. Complete Protein explanation here: If you take a trip back to your old science class, you might remember that protein is made up of smaller components called amino acids, 12 of which are manufactured by the human body. Another nine, called essential amino acids, must be obtained from food. A complete protein is a protein that contains all of the essential amino acids. Animal Proteins are complete, including red meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy, so what's a vegetarian or vegan to do? There are a few nonanimal sources that offer complete proteins, so it's important to get your fill of soybeans, blue green algae, hempseed, buckwheat, and quinoa if you're diet is meat-, milk-, or egg-free. Then there are foods known as incomplete proteins, including Beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, peas, and corn. Combine two or more incomplete proteins and boom — you've got a complete protein. Enjoy them together in one meal or the combination can be consumed over the same day, such as black bean Soup for lunch and brown rice with dinner. Here are some other food combinations that work: Beans with whole grains: hummus (contains chickpeas and tahini, which is made from sesame seeds) and pita bread, red beans and rice, chickpea and quinoa veggie burgerson a whole-wheat bun, split pea soup with whole-grain bread, lentil barley soup, black beans and polenta, and tortillas with refried beans Nuts or seeds with whole grains: sunflower seed butter on crackers, almond butter on toast, peanut noodles Beans with seeds or nuts: hummus, salad topped with sunflower seeds and chickpeas Like I said I made a Protein Bar with Protein powder and hemp, chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, dried cherries and coconut. Base was prune juice. Together they make a complex protein because you have simple carbs and protein together so it becomes a complete protein.. He encouraged me to eat more of this type of food before a workout.....So today I ate a 1/2 of a bar I made and it worked....So when I work out I will eat one of them 30 min. before I start my sets.... hope this helps:

I'm just a regular vegetarian. I eat dairy and eggs but not meat fish or chicken. I've made the eggs in a muffin tin, they are very yummy! I can only take one day of eggs before the sight of them makes me sick.

I'm confused - the topic was for vegetarian breakfast ideas but you mention eggs. So I'm not sure what restrictions you have with your vegetarianism. I've been doing a lot of different egg muffin tin recipes. Basically it's scrambled eggs but in a muffin tin that you can make ahead of time. Dice up onions and pepper and mix that with eggs. What do you eat for lunch or dinner? You could eat those items for breakfast too.

Hi! I am 6 months post sleeve. I have been having protein shakes for breakfast since I was sleeved, but my dr isn't a fan of shakes and wants me to try to eat real food. He also believes in low carb and no white stuff. I get sick of eggs quickly. And while my sleeve and I are getting along fairly well she gets a little testy in the morning so I can't eat anything too heavy. Also my dr doesn't want me to eat anything mushy like oatmeal or yogurt. Anyone have any ideas? I am nut-less because the one I had was useless. Thanks.

It's best to stick with liquids the first two weeks of your Post Op. You're almost at the 14 day mark where you will then have two weeks of pureed foods where you will have more of a variety of choices. The first two weeks I was allowed: Garden tomato organic Soup Cream strained Soups 2 % milk chicken, Beef and Veggie broth V-8 juice sugar free Jello Greek Yogurt Protein shakes G2 Gatorade Water water water You move onto pureed foods in just four days and will have more of a variety. I found that i could chew soft foods well enough to where i didn't puree them. Such as scrambled egg w/ organic salsa unsweetened apple sauce w/ dash of cinnamon Low fat cottage cheese vegetarian refried Beans canned white beans Hope that helps

Erin, I just tried to c/p my yesterdays logged from online, but didn't work. I've only been on pureed for two days now but my yesterday was Breakfast - protein drink (unjury), morning snack - greek yogurt, lunch - re-fried FF beans with TB of light sour cream on top, dinner - On the GO size cottage cheese. total of 60g of protein, and first day I got over 500 calories at 520. Before yesterday with starting the new stuff, I was having 2 protein shakes and the yogurt to get in the protein. Things I'm getting ready to try are vegetarian 99% fat free chili (and puree'ng it), poached eggs (not until I've done more pureed foods), soft cheese, and super soft fruits. Hope this helps!

As a vegetarian and someone who hates frozen meals I love Amy's!

Yes it definitely could be. I am a vegetarian but I do eat seafood. I have just never had it last for this many days. On Monday for lunch I had a hibachi grill with all veggies and shrimp. It started hurting around 7pm that night. Even yesterday it kept coming back( the bloat). I only had liquids on Tuesday and that may have made it worse. Only due to I was so nauseated. I'm going to try to eat normal today and see if it helps. That you for the link, I'm definitely going to read it and try to stay away from gassy foods.

I eat more like a vegetarian now - I eat a lot of chicken and fish. I don't really have red meat that often at all, maybe 2x a month. I used to eat red meat all the time! I have said that I could never be a vegetarian lol. It's not really on purpose I just don't crave it and it sickens me a little with the fat content in hamburger meat while cooking it in the pan.

I am a vegetarian as well and am pre op, I heave considered veganism as well but since we need a lot of protein early on I will probably wait until 6 months post op as I get a substantial amount of protein from dairy currently.

I am scheduled for my bypass on 2/17. I am looking for other vegans to help me. I am currently a vegetarian but want to make the jump to veganism when I have the surgery. Anyone know of any support groups or individuals willing to help? Thanks.

I can see it being hard if you are vegan but not vegetarian. Unless you are a "junk food" vegetarian and don't know how to prepare high protein meals or if you are a picky eater.

It is very hard to be 100% vegan or vegetarian during the first 6 months of the sleeve. I could not do it and get in enough Protein, however it is becoming easier the further out I am. I always include non-meat Proteins, but I did have to have at least one meat/fish or whey or dairy item every day to meet protein minimums. Vegan protein ideas: Amazing Meals protein powders - hemp protein and pea protein Nutiva Hemp Protein powder (unflavored) Lots of Beans lol. Edamame, black beans, lentils, split peas, northern white beans, garbanzos, Nuts (peanuts, almonds, pistachios), nut butters Soy products (tofu, seitan, tempeh, TVP, soy cheese). There is soy protein powder but I don't care for it. Other: green peas, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, quinoa, chia seeds I also purchased a number of Low Carb products from Netrition (flour, baking mix, flat bread, bagels) that have very high protein and low carbs. You might take a look and see if anything appeals to you.

Im a vegetarian and my nut encouraged me being a vegetarian!!! There's a lot of other ways you can get protein in not eating meat!! She also told me that people are often forced to become vegetarians post op because they cannot tolerate meat. There's no way in hell I'm eating meat lol pre op, post op, no op lol no meat!

I was browsing around....and came across this article. It's from a well known surgeon, you see his quotes all over these boards. Hope he's right on this one! A quote from the attached article: "Fish eaters - people who eat fish as their primary source of Protein, have the longest recorded lifespans in the world. Next in line are vegetarians who have the same lifespan as some meat-eaters, lowest living group are vegans." http://drsimpson.net/newsletter/December-2013-weight-loss-newsletter-4/December-2013-weight-loss-newsletter-4.html

I personally think a big salad is good. So is a big bowl of veggie soup! veggies, raw and cooked are so good for us. I started eating more veggies just as soon as I could find the room for them. I don't stuff them in, but I slow down and enjoy them in some quantity and variety. If I put some kind of Protein on the salad (I am a vegetarian) I eat that first...

LOL. Well I am not big on Micky D's but I hear ya. I was scheduled to have lap band last month and my surgeons office was shut down by the hospital, 1 week before surgery and I had been on a liquid diet for 8 days at that point, I was so angry, and upset I killed an entire bag of chex muddy buddys. And, the sad part is it didnt even feel good, it just made me disappointed in myself. So this time around if I want a piece of candy I am having one, but just one and that way I don't go crazy from deprivation but I still get to taste the candy so it is better than nothing and its working so i am sticking with that. As for this weekend I know I can do that since I made it 8 days on the last one, so I am not sweating it and just doing the best I can. I know you will too, quitting fast food is awful at the time but it makes you feel so much better. I quit in 2010, when I decided to try an all natural vegan diet and I lost about 50 lbs, but then I just gradually started to eat cheese and dairy and was like ok, I will just be vegetarian....lol Needless to say, I have lost 24 lbs and kept it off since I started in July with the weight loss guidance of the nutritionist, and eating low cal only chicken and fish veggies and limited dairy. It helped me to go into my appointments and get weighed and have someone else see it, and either be happy for me or steer me back in the right direction.

I would have to draw the line there... if my social life was impacted this much to lose the last 10... I don't think I would go there. Thats probably why I am where I am, and not 10 pounds lower! I am not that great in the social life department anyway, and cutting out my occasional outings with friends that involve food (not horrible, The tummy helps on the quantity part, but some treats) would be heartbreaking to me. Most of my "food outings" are at horrible restaurants that do not cater to vegetarians anyway, and I have switched most of my thinking to "going out for socializing, and not for eating" Where do we draw the line? I go out once a week to a delicious restaurant - we go to happy hour as that is the only way to afford the food there...haha. I have two drinks and an appetizer - or share two apps with my friend. We sit there for a couple of hours after happy hour and chat with the regulars siince the DUI laws are so strict we want to be stone cold sober before leaving. I probably am NOT willing to give that up - but internet dating which seems to involve food and wine - often quite nice - yeah, I can give that up...LOL This morning the scale coughed up 151 instead of 154 so I feel a little less weirded out. It is strange - I am still well under my official goal of 158 so I am not sure why this upset me so much. I think it is that feeling of out of control - like how do I gain 4-5# in just a few days sort of feeling. I am worried that i am having ab swelling due to plastics. Surgeon keeps saying this is way late, I am a slow healer etc but I know from the patient support group that some people have intermittant swelling for like a year. Anyway, compression around the belly as I would like to maintain a waist! florinda, i am sorry if my words sounded like an attack - they were not intended that way and I think if you reread it you will realize it wasn't. I was taken aback as I thought i was understanding your situation but I wasn't. It really is your business what you choose to share and I am very HAPPY for you!!!!

I would have to draw the line there... if my social life was impacted this much to lose the last 10... I don't think I would go there. Thats probably why I am where I am, and not 10 pounds lower! I am not that great in the social life department anyway, and cutting out my occasional outings with friends that involve food (not horrible, The tummy helps on the quantity part, but some treats) would be heartbreaking to me. Most of my "food outings" are at horrible restaurants that do not cater to vegetarians anyway, and I have switched most of my thinking to "going out for socializing, and not for eating" Where do we draw the line?

I always suspected this: "When people eat controlled diets in laboratory studies, the percentage of calories from fat, Protein, and carbohydrate do not seem to matter for weight loss. In studies where people can freely choose what they eat, there may be some benefits to a higher protein, lower carbohydrate approach. For chronic disease prevention, though, the quality and food sources of these nutrients matters more than their relativequantity in the diet. And the latest research suggests that the same diet quality message applies for weight control." I think that must be why MFP works so well... even on days I eat junk (not that often any more) I write it down and usually do not see a gain on the scale... or the gain is short lived... probably salt/water weight related. I know people here who say that losing weight with low carb/high protein eating has leveled out....and others (like me) who never used low carb eating (but perhaps a little lower carb- being a vegetarian means eating some higher carbs) and had success in the long run. "Protein and WeightHigher protein diets seem to have some advantages for weight loss, though more so in short-term trials; in longer term studies, high-protein diets seem to perform equally well as other types of diets." Seems like a very balanced article.

I know I really need to refocus on the things that are healthy ....I really am trying to educate myself on vegan lifestyle ...vegetarian living.... finding healthy ways to prepare you know seafood and fish and chicken and turkey .....I love all of those things.... but sometimes I still miss some of the old stuff too .....so you're right it's not worth it ....I'm in my honeymoon .....I'm just now starting to feel better so I absolutely don't want to blow it .... Shel

After weight loss surgery, you need to plan your meals ahead of time. You always want a high-protein, low-calorie option to be available at meal time. You might find yourself carrying your own prepared food with you to be sure that you have the food you need. Sandwiches are good “go-to” option, but not just any old sandwich will do! This article can help you build sandwiches that are good fits for your meal plan. What is Wrong with the Sandwiches You Used to Eat? A typical workday might have started off with a trip through the drive-through for a breakfast burrito or sandwich, or a bagel and cream cheese sandwich at work. Lunch could have been a brown bag peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a trip to a nearby restaurant for a sandwich, burrito, or burger. Where might these options leave you? Sausage, egg, and cheese croissant or biscuit from a drive-through (600 calories with 42 grams of fat) Bagel with cream cheese (500 calories with 70 grams of carbohydrates) Peanut butter and jelly sandwich (600 calories and 40 grams of sugar) Club sandwich (1,000 calories and 2,500 milligrams of sodium) Chicken patty sandwich (60 grams of carbohydrates and 1,100 milligrams of sodium) Beef, bean, and cheese burrito (900 calories and 40 grams of fat) Your breakfast and lunch sandwiches could have added up to over 1,500 calories. Add in beverages, sides (hash browns, fries or chips, anyone?), and snacks, and you could have been at 3,000 calories by lunchtime! These Choices Don’t Work After Weight Loss Surgery! Needless to say, these options do not fit into your weight loss surgery diet. First, some of those sandwiches have more calories than you are supposed to be eating in a day, not to mention that some also contain more saturated fat, sodium, and sugar than you should have in a day. Second, those sandwiches emphasize starchy breads and fatty condiments, not the lean proteins and nutritious vegetables you need to stay full and nourished after weight loss surgery. Third, they can cause complications. Doughy bagels and fried chicken, for example, can cause obstructions in lap-band patients; fatty sausage and sugary jelly can cause dumping syndrome in gastric bypass patients; and these low-nutrient foods can fill you up and cause malnutrition. Luckily, this does not mean that you need to give up the convenience of sandwiches and the pleasure you get from biting into one. There are plenty of ways to make sandwiches that are weight loss surgery-friendly: low-calorie, high-protein, convenient, and delicious! Protein Fillings for WLS Sandwiches Start by choosing a lean source of protein, just like you do when you plan all of your meals. These are some healthier options compared to what you might have chosen before weight loss surgery. Don’t forget to measure your portions if you are making your own sandwich, or eyeball your portions if you are ordering in a restaurant. 2 scrambled egg whites (30 calories) 2 ounces of canned light tuna (60 calories) 2 ounces of chicken breast, lean ham, turkey breast (80 calories) 2 ounces of fat-free cheese (90 calories) ½ cup cooked beans or 1 vegetarian burger (120 calories) 2 ounces of turkey or vegetarian bacon or breakfast sausage (130 calories) Load up on Vegetables and Fruit Vegetables and fruit are the next food groups to add to your meals. Vegetables especially are low-calorie, so add more if you want a bigger sandwich. Try classic combinations, or get creative. You can also experiment with herbs such as fresh cilantro, basil, and dill. These are some ideas. Lettuce and tomatoes with meat and cheese Grilled eggplant, zucchini, and/or bell peppers with beans Cucumbers and sprouts with fat-free feta cheese Diced celery, carrots, onions, and water chestnuts with tuna Spinach and mushrooms with egg whites Pear or apple with fat-free cheddar cheese Cantaloupe with ham and/or fat-free cheese Blueberries with egg whites Breads and Alternatives Most bread is high in carbohydrates and low in protein – clearly not what you need for your nutritious weight loss surgery diet. Besides adding calories and carbs, bread can cause obstructions in lap-band patients and make gastric bypass patients sick or overly full. When possible, skip the regular bread. Bagels Tortillas Subs Croissants Biscuits Regular sliced bread Instead, choose whole-grain, high-fiber, low-calorie breads, and consider open-faced sandwiches, with the filling on 1 slice of bread, instead of regular 2-slice sandwiches. These are some good options. Reduced-calorie bread (45 or fewer calories per slice) Light English muffin (50 calories per half) Mini whole grain bagel (60 calories per half) Low-carb tortilla (50 calories per small tortilla) High-fiber, light wrap (90 calories per wrap) Also, look for creative, non-bread alternatives. Lettuce leaves to make lettuce wraps or cups Egg roll or wonton wrappers Sheets of dried seaweed Grilled eggplant Your fork (skip the bread and just eat the filling) Keeping Condiments Under Control The condiments that you add can make or break your sandwich, both in terms of nutrition and taste. Skip the full-fat mayonnaise, dressings, dips, sour cream, and butter, and be wary of high-sugar jam, barbecue sauce, and honey mustard. Instead, consider the following condiments. Salsa Fat-free mayo, dressing, dip, or sour cream Regular mustard Plain, non-fat Greek yogurt Hot sauce Shredded fat-free parmesan cheese Reduced-calorie, trans fat-free margarine Some Breakfast Sandwich Ideas to Start Your Day Off Right Egg whites scrambled with spinach, mushrooms, and fat-free feta cheese on ½ English muffin Cottage cheese and strawberries wrapped in lettuce leaves Shredded fat-free cheese and lean ham toasted on a slice of reduced-calorie, whole-wheat bread and topped with salsa and tomatoes Egg whites cooked with turkey bacon and broccoli in a small, high-fiber wrap ½ whole-grain mini bagel spread with fat-free cream cheese and topped with canned salmon with diced celery and water chestnuts Lunch Sandwiches Lettuce wrap filled with diced chicken breast, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and bell peppers, and soy sauce or light Asian dressing Dried seaweed sheet rolled around tuna salad made with fat-free mayo, chives, and celery Pinwheels made by layering slices of turkey breast, lean ham, and fat-free cheese slices, spreading them with mustard, and rolling them Bean burrito with black beans, fat-free cheddar cheese, salsa, and fat-free sour cream on a small, high-fiber tortilla Chicken breast with sliced apple and light vinaigrette between slices of grilled eggplant Tomato sauce, fat-free mozzarella cheese, and mushrooms on a light English muffin Toasted Rueben sandwich with low-fat Swiss cheese, shredded cabbage or sauerkraut, lean corned beef, and fat-free Thousand Island dressing on a light English muffin Are You Ready for Some Sandwiches? You can eat these sandwiches at home, or make them ahead of time and carry them with you in a reusable container. As a weight loss surgery patient, you should own plenty of reusable containers with tight-fitting lids. If you do not already have some, they are worth the investment so that you can carry healthy foods with you wherever you go. We hope that you enjoy these sandwich ideas and that you are inspired to make some of your own healthy, high-protein sandwiches!

Hey everyone! I could use some help. I'm about 5 weeks out and apparently Mr. Grumps (my pouch) decided to make me a vegetarian. Every time I try to eat meat... He decides to mess up my day. Anyone have any suggestions as to things to eat? Also maybe some help on a good vitamin schedule? Having a hard time remembering them. Thanks so much!!!