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How do you make yours? I'm a vegetarian so typically I do refried vegetarian black Beans, lettuce, olives, tomato, salsa, natural sour cream, and tamed jalapenos. If I have extra calories sometimes I'll add cheese or Morningstar griller crumbles (vegetarian beef Protein substitute).

Black bean and butternut squash enchilada casserole. I can't do tortillas at all so I left them out. I am vegetarian so I've never tried chicken, but I eat vegetarian chick'n patties all the time and they go down fine.

Welcome! I was vegan pre-surgery. But since then I've tried to get in the protein however possible. I'm leaning back toward lacto-vegetarian, eating legumes and dairy for the protein. I just have such a hard time with pouch pain and meats. My nut says it's impossible to get enough vegan- only protein. The veggies I tolerate now are all soft, like tomatoes. I'm thinking my salads will be mostly soft, diced tomatoes with other soft, diced veggies.

There are some quinoa recipes in the Regular Foods and the Vegetarian section of the Recipe Sharing section of this very forum. You can also use the search feature of the app or website to find more.

I'd like to know about salad friendly ingredients as well! I'm pre op but am a vegetarian and I eat a very plant based diet.

I was chatting with a woman here on this site, about how she cooks fish, and how I cook my fish. So I got to thinking (thank you sweet lady )... Because there are a lot of people on this site either considering, have already made their decision or have had WLS, most of the conversations are about before, during and right after the surgery. So we talk a lot about their 'Phase Food's and what is making them sick, very important dialog, and should be addressed ASAP. But for those of us who are passed that (thank goodness..lolol), our roles now are very different. Now is when our lives begin. We've lost the weight, we fit in airplane seats, some of us run all the 'K's (not me). Hike, take uber vacations, even wear bikini's!!!!..love that!!!!.were living life and have stop focusing on weight loss and are focused on LIVING, its what we wanted to do in the first place, socialize with confidence, get dates, get married, have children, whatever ... etc. I on the other hand have settle down more quieter. I don't white Water raft, or climb mountains, or run all the "k"s. But how I remain successful is..I've surrounded myself with women who are 8 years or more out and who are nothing but successful, and that's all they want to be. I love that attitude in these people. We are foodies, we travel, and discover foods from here and abroad. With ONE exception..SWEETS, TREATS, & DEAD food are off the table (no pun intended). We don't share that. Just good food we've discovered in our travels and at home that we can share. We're not vegetarians or extremists, but what we ARE is people who've changed our lives, stick to our WLS convictions, and LOVE TO EAT!!!!...I just discoved on utube, a cauliflower pizza crust. Im the last to know apparently??..lol..But as you get this far out, food takes on a different meaning, all the sugar cravings are replaced with a fruit bowl drizzle with pure raw honey, pizza crusts are now made with cauliflower, ect...When you love to eat AND are a WLS person, you have no other choice BUT to come up with delicious & nutritious ways to keep eating the foods you love and maintain your weight. These people have figured that out. The point of writing this is...surround yourself with like minded people. I never cook 'GOOD' food before WLS, I have a family so food was "Belly Filler" meaLS, not a 'Nutritious' meal, I didn't know better, I do now..Thanx for listening and I scour this site for recipes all the time to share with friends & people at work. so thank you soooo much for that.

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!

Hello, I saw all of them plus more. Doctors do not have very many hours of nutrition classes. I asked if I could be a vegetarian after surgery and he said no I needed animal protien. He said veg. are starchy. He also stated vegetarians have problems with deficiency. My nutritionist is vegan. I believe we are in a special class because isn't easy to get everything we need into our bodies. I decided no milk, soy, corn, gluten, sugar. meat will be hard because of protien. I have read omni diet and jj virgin's book but then again we trying to get high protien in and I have found this to be almost impossible. Iam one month out and down 38 lbs. Please let me know how you have come to a solution.

Being a vegetarian makes this way of eating very restrictive. I'm not willing to eat meat as protein source.... boohoo.

It's all the way down the list in the General Weight Loss Surgery section because the recipes apply to everyone! The recipes have been reorganized by surgery phase and there is a section for vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, and other special needs as well. Check it out! http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1048-food-and-nutrition/

Hi Deedee Here's how you get off the depression train. Jump off!! Don't let yourself continue to slip down that slope because the farther you fall, the longer the climb is back up. You say you've given yourself a second chance. Well now it's time for your third chance, fourth or fifth... whatever! The important rule here is to never EVER give up. The day you give up is the day you fail. Until you do that, keep it moving. I can't really give any vegetarian idea advice but anything you have to do to kick start your new day is what you should do. Anything short of something unhealthy. Best wishes on your upcoming nuptials!! Use that as your motivator to get back to it. I don't think there is anything wrong with having that proverbial carrot leading you in the right direction. Take care!

I eat a LOT of veggies, they fill me up and they taste good, add fiber and nutrition. There are plenty that are low in calories. I eat pots of veggie soup, salads, and stir fries. I can eat 3 cups of veggie soup! Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, greens, brussels sprouts, peppers, tomatoes... you can almost eat these without even counting the cals they are so low. Throw in a little potato with skin, carrots, corn other root veggies to add flavor and variety.... I am a vegetarian so I add a little olive oil and veggie protein, and that makes a fantastic meal weather cold, hot, wet or dry! (Im talking about the food, not the weather ) I have come up with combos of the tastes I like, and just make those time after time. Mexican, curry, Italian, Cajun, Thai, Mandarin.... so many flavors to choose from!

Vegetarians, vegans, raw-foodies, there is now a dedicated recipe-sharing forum for you. Please follow it and please contribute your recipes! http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1060-vegetarian-vegan-raw-foods/

Definitely make sure you talk to your nutritionist! And I hope you like Beans and hummus, because you need Protein to heal and get through this! I am not a vegan, but I do eat a lot of vegetarian foods. I have added Protein powder to the top of veggie burgers and then covered them in salsa so I don't notice the powdery texture. After a few months, we should be able to tolerate nuts too, which will help us both with protein. Good luck!!

I am really worried about how much hair loss I am going to experience, especially because I won't be eating much protein.... Any tips? Is the hair loss worse than when you have a baby?

I need input & experiences from my fellow AA sleevers... My surgery is next week in Mexico and I'm incredibly excited. I live in AZ and my little brother (not that little, he's 27) is coming from back East to support me. At this point, my surgery is a pretty guarded secret (at my request) with regard to my family. My mom & I are close and I knew she would support me in this (w/o ANY side-eye/shade/negative energy) so she's the first person I told. My brother is the same way. Supports me in all of my decisions and is really just so cool about everything. Other than those two, I've only told a cousin and my brother's girlfriend. *I've told all my close friends.* Me & my Mom talked a lot about my aunts and grandmothers (I'm lucky enough to have both maternal and paternal grandparents still alive) and their penchant for judgement, gossiping, and discouragement. Don't get me wrong, I'm really close with them. They come visit me every year and I love having them around. However, my maternal grandmother's sister had bypass 10 years ago and gained all of her weight back. She's the exact opposite of me- poor eating habits (I'm a vegetarian who eats mostly healthfully but have a night time sugar/carb problem), and she's sedentary as hell. Before I gained weight this time around, I was working out 2 hrs a day Mon, Tues, Weds, and Fri as well as a 90 min spin class Sat mornings.I loved it! I ate less carbs and more tofu and non starchy veggies...this was a genuine lifestyle change for me (til I had to go on Prednisone-that's another story). Of course, Auntie did none of this and as expected she gained ALL of the weight back. So now my mom's side of the family has a negative attitude about WLS. There is absolutely NO DOUBT in my mind that if I tell her about the surgery, she will immediately mention my aunt's failure and exclaim that I will have the same outcome. Ain't nobody got time for that. #DontWannaHearIt Now onto the other grandma- she & grandpa came to visit in March. I was strongly considering surgery at that point but didn't mention it. Well coincidentally the subject of surgery came up somehow and she mentioned a woman at her church who'd recently undergone bypass surgery. My grandma was SO negative about it. She went on and on about how surgery doesn't work long term and people never change their habits after surgery, etc. So of course, I was NOT gonna bring up my desire for WLS at that point. My mom and brother are sworn to secrecy and ultimately I don't plan on telling the rest of the family. Cause basically, telling my grandmothers (who I should mention, live around the corner from one another and are BFF's/gossip buddies) is telling the whole damn family. I think it's much easier to keep it secret when you live 2000 miles away and I intend to do just that. I would tell my Dad (we're really close) but he has a tendency to slip up unintentionally lol. I guess I've been super long winded here but I'd like to hear your experiences with family. Who you told, didn't tell, why, etc.

Alex has reorganized the food and Nutrition forum to make it easier than ever to find information and recipes for whatever stage of your journey you are on, no matter what surgery you are having or had! Also make sure to check out the special sections for vegetarians, gluten free, and other special diets. We ask for your patience as we manually categorise existing recipes into the new categories. Please jump in and share new ones and use the Search function to find old favorites!

I don't eat meat but put the hurt on some seafood. I eat salmon almost everday a lot of flounder, mahi and shrimp. Tuna on occasion but try not too often for all the heavy metals. Gardien's vegetarian chicken is my new fave thing lately. Blood oranges, cuties, kiwis, gala apples and pine apple. Broccoli, spinach and lots of legumes.

I think the blood sugar concerns are valid for many people but I am neither diabetic nor pre-diabetic. My glucose has never been high- even at 285lbs. I've also never had high cholesterol, and my blood pressure is consistently 100/80 or 90/70- which is odd for someone my size but my Dr. attributes this to my vegetarian diet even with my sugar binges 5-6 times a week. I won't need an apple every day but I am most likely going to allow myself 2-3 per week at this point. They make me full and because I have ulcerative colitis, I need some of that Fiber to "keep me going". Pre-op is really low on fiber. I am going to go ahead & notify the nutritionist at my Dr.'s office that this is what I've decided to do. Oh and I've lost 8lbs since Sunday! I'm not worried about an apple derailing my progress.

I'm on a bleak 2 week pre-op which only allows 3 Protein shakes, Jello, one serving of veggie Soup, and green vegetables. I'm a vegetarian and am used to eating a lot of fruit...this is day 2 and I'm already losing my mind. Anyone know why they don't let you do apples or berries? Is having an apple every few days going to be a real problem?

Try making a crockpot full of chili for dinner, if your a meat eater, ground turkey is a good substitute and you can also pack in lots of veggies in disguise. High in protein and you cant tell it's ground turkey. I'm a vegetarian so I use like 4 types of beans and a ton of veggies in my chili but I make my dad and fiancé turkey chili.

Valentines Chalange: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/291848-valentines-challenge/ I am a vegetarian too, and managed to lose to goal on veggies, dairy and eggs(a few). It can be done. I also went through a period of time where I was gaining... and it took a while to really turn it around, but I did, and am now at goal after 3 years. I find I really have to cook to get the best quality vegetarian food, with the occasional meal out. So many restaurants serve Pasta or french fries and such for vegetarians, really junk food. I had to really get creative to get enough Protein in, but it can be done. Pasta does have some protein, but really most of it is not that great for you. I pick out Dreamfields or whole wheat pasta and measure out 1 oz if I want pasta. how about: low fat cheese sticks, soy and regular milk, yogurt, seitan products, TVP, tofu, Dried tofu sheets (yuba) Beans, nuts, nut butters, seeds, tempi, eggs, egg whites... there are so many veggitarian sources of protein to choose from, morning star has some great products. I make my own "turkey", meat loaf and beef steaks from great recipes I have found along the way. It does take work, but you can make and freeze in individual servings. I cook on sunday for the week. Really use those veggies too, most of them are low calorie and so delicious, raw or cooked. I make a pot of veggie Soup sometimes every night of the week (then its on to stir fries and casseroles...) You can do it! Just stay away from sugar, white flour and the like... dump it out or give it away! Set yourself up for success by planing ahead, shopping for success, figure out your favorite foods and modify them to fit your protein and lower carb needs. I like mexican food, but could not eat that every day or fat fat fat!!!! I do make pots of tomato veggie soup, with chili and cumin, sliced onions,"groun round" and a tiny bit of sweet corn... really so good, and leaves me feeling like I just ate a big mexican meal. My husband likes it too. You can do this! Use Myfitnesspal, measure or weigh the food for a while, then test again now and then... weight yourself, and measure yourself too! Its a new start. Get out there and move, find something you have always wanted to try, or learn... I started birdwatching, and go out the the local "wilds" 2-3 times a week for a walk and a look. I don't even know I am exercising, its just so fun and beautiful! And last by not least, hang out here, the support is great!

Just take your wonderful family recipes and rework them with FF sour cream, cream cheeses cottage cheese, and FF Soups cooked in crockpot with chicken and spices. So many food combinations there. Make a lowfat Soup with FF chicken broth thickened with FF refried Beans and spices and veggies. Your kids might like to try new foods. Pizza is a killer, I would hate to have it near me Mona. If you have traveled this far you know you cannot keep eating pizza. Learn to make vegetarian pizzas and sneak in blended veggies in the sauce, your kids will not even know they are there. Your kids deserve eating healthier and I so wish you the best of luck! I know how hard it will be but you are on a MISSION~~~~~!!!!!!

Thanks for the list! I appreciate it, I'm a vegetarian and feel like I'm constantly having to defend myself about the protein thing. To be honest I eat more protein now than I did when I ate meat.