Losing weight on a vegetarian diet

[Lovelybangers]

I'm a constant dieter - tend to get to a certain point and then go on some diet or other and lose a stone or so to get back to a comfortable place.

Since turning (mostly) vegetarian a few months ago - I am finding it increasingly difficult to lose weight. In fact I am packing it on rapidly!

Any tips ?

I love eggs - so omelettes are good. I love cheese (which may be my downfalll). I love ALL vegetables.

[PurpleDaisies]

Are you compensating for the lack of meat with cheese, nuts and loads of carbs? I love cheese but it's my diet downfall.

I weigh my portions if carbs and cheese. How often are you snacking on things like crisps, biscuits or cake?

[Lovelybangers]

Yes - cheese and nuts for sure. I go easy on pasta, rice and bread, potatoes - but need some to make up the meals.

No sweets really - I prefer a savoury snack - cheese..

I suppose as a newly converted veggie -I need to find the right recipes.

[Lovelybangers]

I have been cooking up soups this past few weeks - all low fat -high veg!

Maybe I need to do bean chilli/veg stew .

[FruitCider]

Cheese is v high in fat, eating lots of that will pile on the pounds. Also not all cheese is vegetarian!

Increase your replacement protein intake and reduce carbs/cheese.

[BabooshkaKate]

Cheese is incredibly dense in calories and addictive.

You need a mixture of protein and fat to keep you feeling full.

You also need to discover your love of beans and pulses. And NOT the tinned variety, they're usually gross imo although kidney beans aren't too bad.

I usually use half as much rice as I would like and pad it out with kidney beans, lentils, or something like that. This helps with my carb intake.

[PurpleDaisies]

I use a LOT of chick peas, cannelini beans, lentils etc. I think the tinned ones are fine and can make your dinner very cheap and very filling.

I like soup for lunch too-it's really healthy until I then add...cheese! Plus lots of bread and butter. It's divisive but I really like quorn and find it fills me up. Some people really hate it and react badly.

[Lovelybangers]

Yes - I need to scale back the cheese!

I do like pulses and beans - and try and cook with them but it can get a bit samey..

Might go back to Quorn then - at least I can make something that DH might like.