Is it possible to go veggie without nuts, quorn or other meat substitutes?

[Mypremiumwhat]

Just that really. I've been thinking about turning towards a more veggie lifestyle for environmental reasons for a while now but am unsure if it's practicable or sustainable. The main issue is that we can't have nuts (any kind) or quorn, and I don't like tofu or any other meat substitutes that I've tried in the past. So apart from eggs, not sure where our protein would come from.

Does anyone else manage to have a vegetarian diet without these products?

Any dairy, surely? Eggs, milk, cheese, pulses?

Broccoli is high in protein and lentils and chick peas are also a good source.

Its easy to be a vegetarian without fake meat, if your happy for most of your protein to come from pulses. Also quorn can be difficult to digest and not nice if over cooked, but their are alot of other fake meat products which are better. A typical meal plan: Kidney beans in tomato sauce, chicken pea curry, omelette, butter bean stew/casserole, lentil bake, dhal, cheese balls, black bean stir fry.

I'm veggie don't eat much quorn or nuts. I often use lentils and quinoa instead of mince and eat lots of beans and pulses.

Half of India eats this way. Lentils, rice, beans, avocado all contain protien. Not to mention yoghurt and cheese.

Lentils are amazing and can be used in many different ways.

Seitan/gluten based products? Pulses?

Of course it is! Vegetarians not getting enough protein is a myth. I'm vegan and I manage!

I prefer not to eat processed 'meat substitutes' as whole foods are healthier.

Pulses are great: healthy and tasty. Beans, lentils etc.

Even wholewheat bread has a decent amount of protein.

Yoghurt is good.

Cheese.

Wholewheat pasta.

I am veggie and don't eat the things you mention very often. I eat a lot of eggs and dairy - lots of natural yoghurt, creme fraiche, etc. Also a lot of lentils and beans.

This is the sort of dinner that is standard for me
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/egyptian-egg-salad

I don't think I could do a low carb diet easily but a normal balanced diet is fine

what about vitamin b12, is it, that is usually got from red meat.
would you have to take a supplement for that.
many beans are good sources of protein.
black=eyed peas and rice is v nice.

Totally doable. There are loads of plant based protein sources. Tbh you could do it as a vegan, let alone a veggie!

I basically eat the way you're describing except I'm also vegan and, and I am very healthy and sporty.

Do you eat cheese? Mushrooms? Lentils, chick peas (and falafel), tinned tomatoes, chilli peppers, pitta bread?

By the way, the dairy industry in general is not a great thing environmentally, but supporting organic and free range dairy farmers locally can make a real difference.

@Rainbows89

Even wholewheat bread has a decent amount of protein.

Yoghurt is good.

Cheese.

Wholewheat pasta.

Yes, I was surprised to see that the standard wholemeal bread we get has twice as much protein as it does carbs

We have a vegetarian salad niçoise quite often - new potatoes, sliced boiled eggs, green beans, tomatoes, black olives, lettuce and a dressing. It normally has tuna in it but I replace that with cottage cheese or, weirdly, grapes.

Burgen soya and linseed bread is very protein rich. And tasty.

What if you can't eat pulses? I've often wondered this.

Why can't you have any meat substitutes or tofu?

What about seitan?

Yiu could do it but you're just more limited. I'm 35 and I stopped eating meat before I was 10. Back in the 90s these was way less choices for meat substitutes. Pulses and beans can be gear for making into burgers etc.

I ask about why you cat have any meat subs as there's things which ant fake meat but say bean burgers or veg bites. If there a no go I think you have to be very well organised or be happy with beans on toast when you're busy.

I used to eat loads of Quorn/meat substitutes but don't touch them anymore. I eat lots of chickpeas, lentils, and make a blinding tortilla type omelette with tons of veg and feta cheese.

Lots of the meat substitutes are a lot better than they used to be - even in the past 2-3 years I'd say they've improved. I'd try some of the updated ones that you are able to have. We really enjoy the 'THIS ISN'T' range if you can have that!

Vegetarian for over 30 years and vegan for 5. I hate tofu so I have never eaten it. I do eat nuts but not daily. I hate meat substitutes (seitan mainly). I have recently started eating tempeh which I quite like as you can crumble it or cut into slices. However I would say I mainly eat potatoes, beans and vegetables each day. I have bean or veggie burgers/fingers ie you can see the sweetcorn and peas in them. My daughters eat quorn stuff but I don't. We are all still alive and thriving.

DD is vegetarian and we eat meat maybe once a week.
She is allergic to Quorn and hates nuts and eggs and most meat substitutes and we manage fine.
Look up The Hench Herbivore, he explains how to get enough protein without eating meat

dd is vegetarian. allergic to eggs. sensative to milk so only littel bits of baked milk in biscuits.

she eats seeds, pulses, lentils for protein including hummus, baked beans, soya milk.

Yes of course, OP!

I find substitute meat products a bit odd. I'm not veggie by the way. Lots of family were growing up and DD is.

Veggie is not too tricky. You can still have dairy (minerals protein etc). And eggs of course!
You don't need to do anything fancy. You can make pasta sauces, tomato or cream based without the meat. Fajitas. Salads obv. Quiche is a 70s veggie stereotype is good. BBQ mushrooms with cheese in, halloumi....

No you really don't have to have the substitutes!

You definitely can. There are lots of creative ways to eat pulses and they can be mashed and moulded into things like burgers, meatballs, falafel etc.

Have you tried tofu a few different ways? It can be absolutely delicious when it's cooked in the right way. Try it in pad thai, replacing the peanut element with a seed butter and omitting fish sauce.

Legumes like edamame are great protein sources.

Paneer and halloumi are good if you need more solid cheese options.

Jackfruit is a good option too. And mushrooms.