Put on half a stone and want to lose it, need help with diet as I'm already a vegan

Curlyhatescurls

Hi,
I've put on half stone and I hate it, never been this heavy in my life. I need to lose it. When I get back to college I plan on swimming twice a week and cycling in and out three times a week. I am struggling with food. I have just started trying to cut out carbs as wheat/gluten doesn't agree with me. I'll tell you the list of food that I can't eat-
No dairy or eggs (as well as being vegan I can't eat these anyway as they don't agree with me)
No coconut
No chilli
No meat/fish
No wheat/gluten
No oats.

I used to eat A LOT of carbs so I want to cut out as much of those as I can. But I'm meant to replace it with protein which I am struggling with as I can't eat meat/fish or eggs. I eat beans etc but from using myfitnesspal I notice that they are high in carbs(?)
I need help! I am really confused and hungry and I keep getting colds (I suspect it's from a bad diet)
I eat very healthy already (little to no processed foods) and drink lots of water.

Also- I love my food and I eat everything except for the things I said above. I've never been on a diet before and I'm feeling depressed and cranky and HUNGRY all week with it:(

Donelson

if it's just more protein you want, you could try pea protein shakes, they sell it in Holland and Barret, but be warned it's an acquired taste so by the smallest pack they have.

im invisible

Are you allergic to meat as well? Why would ya put urself thru it if at the end of the day its not doing u any good?

dlofnep

Quinoa is great for getting protein in your diet. I use it as part of a meatloaf. Only thing is you are vegan, so you'll have to look at some vegetable recipes with it. I'm on an extremely strict diet, I find mashed Swedes are really nice... Although, I usually through some butter on them to keep them moist. Not sure what you could use.

Jogging is a great way to get weight down, if your knees can handle it. Swimming will help tone you up.

decisions

Work out your daily calorie requirement and post your average daily food intake.

And why no meat? Is it just because you are vegan?

fleet

im invisible wrote: »

Are you allergic to meat as well? Why would ya put urself thru it if at the end of the day its not doing u any good?

Ethics, presumably. The same reason you don't kill people, also presumably.

OP - energy in, energy out. Eat less food, and, to a lesser extent, exercise more. Yes, there are other considerations, but that's what it boils down to. Just make sure you get enough nutrients and time will take care of the rest. Yes, I'm talking from 25kg of experience.

Curlyhatescurls

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. As I am doing absolutely no exercise at the moment I'm trying to keep calorie intake to 1200 calories a day. When I get back to college in a week or two and start exercising I can up the calories a little. Thanks especially for the suggestion about quinoa, I've had it before and thought it was lovely. Just remembered that lentils are good too. The info I was looking for here was what are good proteins and fats to eat if I can't have what I listed, thanks for all the suggestions so far, any others would also be appreciated:)

On a side note- I don't eat meat/fish for ethical reasons so that's not going to change.

decisions

Nuts and avocados are good if you are trying to increase your intake of fats.

cypressg

That's mad that people don't eat fish due to ethical reasons.
A great white shark wouldn't think twice about chowing down on a piece of us if he was hungry,it's the food chain.
There is a study out that has found that the children from 2 generations of vegan parents and grandparents are physically weaker and less healthy etc..I know animals are cute and cuddly but they are also there for nutritional reasons.
I don't mean to hijack this but you seem like you are limiting your diet to foods that make you fat(carbs).

hollypink

Curlyhatescurls wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. As I am doing absolutely no exercise at the moment I'm trying to keep calorie intake to 1200 calories a day. When I get back to college in a week or two and start exercising I can up the calories a little. Thanks especially for the suggestion about quinoa, I've had it before and thought it was lovely. Just remembered that lentils are good too. The info I was looking for here was what are good proteins and fats to eat if I can't have what I listed, thanks for all the suggestions so far, any others would also be appreciated:)

On a side note- I don't eat meat/fish for ethical reasons so that's not going to change.

If you want to increase your protein intake, would you consider Sunwarrior protein powder? I know some vegans take it. I've also read a bit about chia seeds which apparently are higher in protein than other seeds (~20%) and are high in omega 3 and fibre as well. I havent tried it myself yet but I presume you get it in health food shops.

Laura 25

Seeds, nuts, legumes, quinoa, buckwheat - there's loads out there for vegan/veggie diets and some fantastic recipe blogs that won't leave you hungry or low in energy! A plant based diet is the healthiest most ethical way of eating. Some amazing athletes are vegan and get all of their nutrient requirements from a varied diet. One you get into the habit of using some new ingredients it becomes much easier. Most Irish health food shops stock these products now, they are always very helpful too, or this is an online shop which is good too http://www.irelandsrawkitchen.ie/

These are all great!
http://www.nomeatathlete.com/
http://mynewroots.blogspot.ie/
http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/
http://www.peachypalate.com/

Change one thing at a time and create a new habit. Its much harder to change everything at the start of the year, and if its hard we tend not to stick with it. Try introducing a new ingredient each week or try a new recipe. It will make food fun again - and its healthy

Curlyhatescurls

Oh wow thanks so much Laura 25, that's a goldmine of info for me:) Much appreciated!

dlofnep

Yup, buckwheat is good too. I eat sugar-free buckwheat crackers as a snack. Nice with butter + eggs. Although, no eggs for you

Slydice

Interesting results when you search "vegetables protein": http://www.google.ie/search?q=vegetables+protein

Examples:
Top 8 Vegetables High in Protein
http://www.3fatchicks.com/top-8-vegetables-high-in-protein/

Protein-Rich Fruits & Vegetables
http://www.livestrong.com/article/394772-protein-rich-fruits-vegetables/

Asparagus, Broccoli and Cauliflower mentioned.

Almonds and Pumpkin seeds look good too:
http://www.healthyeatingstartshere.com/nutrition/protein-in-nuts

I've no idea as to the reliability of any of those websites though.

Zombienosh

You can get a lot of proteins supplements now that are vegan.
Rice protein, Pea Protein, Hemp Protein, Soya Protein, or mixes known simply as Vegan Protein.
As someone mentioned above, if you look at making your overall diet high in protein using things such as.
Quinoa, Beans(Kidney/butter/Cannellini/etc) , Lentils, Soya, Nuts (If you're not allergic).

On a daily basis I'd make meals with Quinoa, green lentils and beans. Which combined with supplement shakes easily meets protein requirements for me and I aim for a gram of protein per pound of BW.

Slydice

Already posted in another thread but anyway... I was out and about Dublin today. In Blazing Salads on Drury Street, they have a bunch of Wheat Free, Diary Free, Vegan stuff. Girl behind the counter was very friendly and they list all their ingredients (and whether they are gluten free, wheat free, dairy free or vegan) on each of their dishes.

If you pop in, you might get some ideas and maybe if you chat to the staff, they might be able to give you some advice.