Vegetarianism

Wiseman_Vaughn

Well-known member
I'm thinking about going meat free in the New Year.

I'm sure that there must be a few posters out there that are long or short term veggies - Any tips on how to adapt to it? I'm active with the gym and cycling so Protein is a bridge to cross (although I might stick with fish to start with).
 
Good decision. It's easier than ever now. I'm not a fitness / protein fella but if you get Linda McCartney hoisin duck or pulled chicken replacement, both work really well with pretty much any sauce you want. Just fry (using a thin, low-cal oil spray) with peppers, mushrooms etc and add your sauce - these can be low-fat too. Serve with rice.
 
I'm thinking about going meat free in the New Year.

I'm sure that there must be a few posters out there that are long or short term veggies - Any tips on how to adapt to it? I'm active with the gym and cycling so Protein is a bridge to cross (although I might stick with fish to start with).
Not eaten any meat for 35 years, although I occasionally eat the ‘fruit of the sea’ 😉. My advice would be not to give up meat 35 years ago, it was tough!

These days there are so many meat free options to make it easier, though I suspect there’s a slight cost that geos with that, worth it though. The only meat free options for years were Linda Mc and Quorn, Linda Mc stuff has always been excellent, Quorn, apart from the mince, has always been a bit bland.

Here’s a tip I’ve only learnt recently, if you’re making veggie gravy with the granuals don’t add boilIng water as per the instructions cos you’ll never get rid of the lumps. Add cold water and heat in a pan. Also add marmite or miso to loads of things you cook, and to gravy, gives a meaty depth to the flavour.
 
I have been a vegetarian since I was a toddler(I'm 37 now). The last say 10 years has seen huge improvements and choice for vegetarians. I would think somebody choosing to be a vegetarian would find it a lot easier than 10 years ago. I often use quorn mince for the Mrs and kids(they are all meat eaters)and they enjoy it and also toad in the hole with quorn sausages. Also for me I don't like the texture or taste of actual meat or meat substitutes which seem meaty, but someone who is doing it as a dietary choice would have no problem switching. Also when out for meals there is a bigger choice of vegetarian options than several years ago. As a kid if I went to a cavery with my family I would have to have just veg and rather take my own gravy granules or not have gravy, now most places have options for that. I would say take a decent multi vitamin with iron, and keep and eye on your protien and amino intake. But places like body builder warehouse and protien works have low calorie vegan protein shakes which have a fair bit of protein in them and amino they come in around 250cal per shake, which is defiantly worth taking into account on a vegetarian diet to get that extra bit of protein and amino acids. If your eating fish it won't be as bad especially on the omega 3 and protein.
 
I'm thinking about going meat free in the New Year.

I'm sure that there must be a few posters out there that are long or short term veggies - Any tips on how to adapt to it? I'm active with the gym and cycling so Protein is a bridge to cross (although I might stick with fish to start with).
I'm not a veggie but know a bit about protein. Protein shakes would be a good idea for protein top ups, most come from whey which comes from milk/ cheese so you could use those if you're not going vegan.

You can also get meal replacement shakes which have the protein, but also the carbs and other nutrients, so I use those for after cycling.

Of course you could just drink loads of milk and eat loads of cheese, but this would probably cane the calories, and make you fat, so other low calorie sources of protein are chickpeas, peas, beans, quinoa, lentils etc.

I try and stay away from nuts and seeds as they're waaay to calorie dense, I would end up running out of calories and not being full enough when I have those.
 
Thanks for all the replies - Really appreciated!

The reason I'm thinking about doing it is because over the years, I've noticed Ive suffered with more upset stomachs, bloating etc despite eating (IMO) a fairly healthy diet. I know this could be dairy related or even developing IBS etc but this seems like a good place to start. People that have gone Veggie: Did you notice feeling differently? Did you have more energy, lose weight, generally feel healthier??
 
I'm not a veggie but know a bit about protein. Protein shakes would be a good idea for protein top ups, most come from whey which comes from milk/ cheese so you could use those if you're not going vegan.

You can also get meal replacement shakes which have the protein, but also the carbs and other nutrients, so I use those for after cycling.

Of course you could just drink loads of milk and eat loads of cheese, but this would probably cane the calories, and make you fat, so other low calorie sources of protein are chickpeas, peas, beans, quinoa, lentils etc.

I try and stay away from nuts and seeds as they're waaay to calorie dense, I would end up running out of calories and not being full enough when I have those.
If it needed to be Vegan, the huel protein is really good. Started using it a few months ago and its made a huge difference already
 
Not knocking vegans or vegetarians ( free country / own choice and all that ) but I could not ever envisage a diet without meat and / or fish , coriander lamb tonight .
 
I'm thinking about going meat free in the New Year.

I'm sure that there must be a few posters out there that are long or short term veggies - Any tips on how to adapt to it? I'm active with the gym and cycling so Protein is a bridge to cross (although I might stick with fish to start with).
Hi, I get the soya mince / chunks from Holland and Barratt, good value for money and ideal in chilli / spag bol recipies. I'm a bit of a one pot wonder merchant and cook batches to freeze. The BBC website has some decent recipies on the food page. What food do you like?
 
Not knocking vegans or vegetarians ( free country / own choice and all that ) but I could not ever envisage a diet without meat and / or fish , coriander lamb tonight .

Helpful contribution as always...
 
Hi, I get the soya mince / chunks from Holland and Barratt, good value for money and ideal in chilli / spag bol recipies. I'm a bit of a one pot wonder merchant and cook batches to freeze. The BBC website has some decent recipies on the food page. What food do you like?
we have a varied mix - my partner grew up in Africa and is a really good cook - which is good because I am s***. It's not really about finding recipes for me - it's how it will change the way I feel and making sure that I get enough protein etc.
 
I'm thinking about going meat free in the New Year.

I'm sure that there must be a few posters out there that are long or short term veggies - Any tips on how to adapt to it? I'm active with the gym and cycling so Protein is a bridge to cross (although I might stick with fish to start with).
I was In in a similar situation 10 years ago and decided to go Vegetarian, I cycle ( about 900km per month March to October and turbo train through the winter following various training programs on Zwift) and do a 4 day split weight training each week.
I find that meals have not changed greatly as we now use a lot of meat substitute , I take Supplements and use Huel protein powder and as my cycling has increased over the last 10 years I have not lost much muscle.
My weight did not change or did I feel i had more or less energy but as mentioned above my Stools flow better😀.
You could try 4 days meat free, no red meat and chicken / fish for 3 days per week to ease yourself into the change and then gently increase your meat free days per week.
Quinoa, tofu, nuts, lentils beans are full of protein, but if you are are part of of family with some meat eaters and vegetarians then you can use Quorn mince for spaghetti bolognaise and chilli without the meat eaters minding this reduces the need for multipe meal types when eating as family.
Good luck.
 
Thanks for all the replies - Really appreciated!

The reason I'm thinking about doing it is because over the years, I've noticed Ive suffered with more upset stomachs, bloating etc despite eating (IMO) a fairly healthy diet. I know this could be dairy related or even developing IBS etc but this seems like a good place to start. People that have gone Veggie: Did you notice feeling differently? Did you have more energy, lose weight, generally feel healthier??
Have you considered it could be gluten or wheat intolerance?

I only say this because the mrs has a wheat intolerance, but only recently discovered this and it has made a massive difference by going gluten free.
 
we have a varied mix - my partner grew up in Africa and is a really good cook - which is good because I am s***. It's not really about finding recipes for me - it's how it will change the way I feel and making sure that I get enough protein etc.
There are lots of blogs out there from vegan athletes ref protein and what to eat, Will be just as easy for veggie.
Been veggie for almost 40 years and, for the last 3, largely plant based.

I’m a keen cyclist and do around 5 workouts a week at home on my Wattbike.

No need for extra protein - just fuel up with things like jam n peanut bitter sarnies if I go on a long ride.

Worth mentioning Messi and Aguero are plant based - they do ok out of it.
 
You know what - I used to be like that and Indian food is my "go to" treat....but as the years went by, I found that I enjoyed Dahl or Paneer biryani rather than the meat dish
I think things like currys and Thai food are as enjoyable with or without meat although I'm not a fan of paneer.
 
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