Considering vegetarianism. Is it bad to eat too much Quorn?

[Goshdarn]

I use Q sausages and mince anyways.

But have recently been snacking on their cocktail sausages, faux scotch eggs and chicken dipper type things.

I really need to keep my protein up but have really gone off meat.

Would it be unhealthy to eat, say 50g worth of quorn protein a day?

Yes this, much Indian food is naturally vegan for example, you’d never see people in those cultures eating Quorn.
I don’t get it.
OP can’t you eat boiled eggs, nuts, avocados, lentils, cheese? I wouldn’t touch processed food like fake scotch eggs etc. they’ll be full of additives and salt!

The link between red meat and various cancers is I believe well understood

It really isn't clear cut. Straight up red meat has in no way been proven to cause cancer. Red meat ( i.e. a steak) is not the same as a meat pie. And no studies have ever discerned the possibility of the difference - think of what that study would have to entail? It is almost impossible to conduct such an experiment. You would have to have thousands of people on a diet that contained no processed meat at all, no processed cooking fats, no other element to their diet that could be cancer causing etc. for 10 years?!?

I would rather go with the fact that humans have survived for millions of years eating red meat, even raw, and cancer was not an outcome that was documented in any way. I would be more prone to looking at what has actually changed, like the oils we cook food in, the plastics it is wrapped in, the processing of the meat etc. I don't think it is 'red meat' per se.

Blimey, we've got a nice little side argument going on that has nothing to do with other protein sources!!
Carry on arguing amongst yourselves 🤣

Both the nhs and cancer research say limit red meat and give a reason in chemicals created during cooking are known to cause cancer

I'm veggie and don't eat much quorn. There are other protein sources - beans, tofu etc.

Because the OP has mentioned that she has had bariatric surgery, which limits the foods that omnis eat, never mind veggies / vegans.

As a long-term veggie myself (but raised as an omni), I know that many of the sources we derive our protein from can be hard going initially, which is why I suggested a transitional diet.

Unless you were raised vegetarian from weaning onwards, there is going to be a period of re-education, which will include learning how to balance macros, changing your palate, learning new cooking skills / recipes etc.

Presumably the OP was looking for some advice on this sort of thing, rather than just 'this is how I do it and if you don't do it that way, you're wrong and stupid'.

It’s both. It’s just less well known what, in non-smoked red meat, is causing cancer - whether the iron and fat content, or the high heat for cooking.

In smoked meat the link to salt and nitrites/nitrates is more clear.

I don't believe I called the OP "wrong or stupid" and since I am not a doctor, I can't recommend a diet for bariatric surgery. Actually, I think the OP should consult her doctor to ask what protein rich veggie foods she can eat after surgery. I really struggle to believe that eating scotch eggs is better than eating real food, even after bariatric surgery.

It’s both. It’s just less well known what, in non-smoked red meat, is causing cancer - whether the iron and fat content, or the high heat for cooking

Or even, in fact, if the link actually exists.

The link exists
It's cause is known
You don't have to like it
You can chose to ignore it
But it's wrong to lie about it and say it doesn't exist

OP did the doctors not give dietary guidance for vegetarians post surgery if you need to eat high protein diet?

I wonder whether now may be the time to wean yourself off fake food generally? I don’t know what you were eating to require a gastric sleeve, but filling up on processed quorn, fake sausages, fake scotch eggs can’t be good for you either way.

The link definitely exists, which is why you’re advised to eat no more than 3 portions of red meat a week.

Get some Huel shake powder - pea protein

Have as a snack, it fills you up!

op I’m vegan and I get about 100g of protein a day so 50 should be easy.

I do drink a protein shake if I’ve been at gym which is 34g though so guess that’s kind of cheating but it’s an easy win if you’re struggling!

High sources: edmame beans I buy these dry roasted and they are delicious! You can also buy them frozen

tofu

tvp /soya chunks - can buy these in Holland and battet similar function to quorn but much less processed

I buy/cook a lot of dried beans: Pinto beans/black beans/soya beans /chickpeas

bread

nuts

Lentils or even pasta made from lentils!

Milk and yogurts.

even bread has protein. I guess you will avoid that if you want to do low carb but it’s like 5G per slice.

There are better fake meats out there than quorn , try tofu to start with!

Also anyone would think the meat eaters in this thread had the most perfect nutritionally balanced diet given how they have reacted to a question about protein in a vegetarian diet.

Lots of suggestions if you Google vegetarian meals following bariatric surgery op, you may be missing out on essential nutrients by relying on Quorn.

www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/5-Plant-Based-Diets.pdf

www.matherhospital.org/weight-loss-matters/diet/following-a-vegetarian-diet-after-bariatric-surgery/

I would rather go with the fact that humans have survived for millions of years eating red meat

Apart from the fact they're all dead! This made me 😁😁😁

I’ve been veggie for almost 20 years and I don’t use quorn very often, I don’t really like it tbh. I prefer to use lentils rather than mince in things like spag bol, shepherds pie etc. I use vegetables, beans and pulses rather than quorn most of the time. I like Linda McCartney sausages as a treat so have those maybe 2-3 times a year. Eggs are a great source of protein.

Oh and Greek yoghurt! I work out daily and run a lot so I eat lots of Greek yoghurt.

I've been a vegetarian for nearly 30 years and very, very rarely use meat replacements. You just don't need them. If I'm making a vegetarian lasagne or spaghetti bolognaise or something I just bulk up the sauce with vegetables, lentils and beans. To me this is a hundred times tastier and healthier than eating Quorn. If you buy a good vegetarian cookery book (I like Delia's) none of the recipes use meat replacements. I'm always surprised when new vegetarians start eating loads of Quorn sausages, fake ham and bacon etc. It's like they can't let go of the meat mindset. I like Indian vegetarian recipes too. So delicious and nutritious. The only time I use a meat replacement is for Toad in the Hole. I absolutely love it and it wouldn't be the same to use a carrot instead of a sausage! I buy Cauldron sausages for that. I recommend you start exploring some vegetarian recipes. Lots online on BBC Good Food.

Because I'm lazy and I don't want to cook every meal I eat. I like to just grab something from the fridge. After my sleeve I don't like to eat meals. I most just snack on protein. It's not worth cooking a full meal for what I can eat.

Plus I would have to cook for my family daily on top of my Veggie meals. (autistic children who will not defer away from specified meal plan)

Yes I have protein items daily. Protein water. Protein milk. Protein puddings. Bars etc

Just because you think its nonsense doesn't mean it is. Do a little research

“Because I'm lazy and I don't want to cook every meal I eat. I like to just grab something from the fridge.“

therein lies your problem then and the answer is not fake Quorn snacks.

If you want ready made, protein-rich food I'd go and buy things like Spanish omelettes, quiches, falafel, hummus etc. and have some boiled eggs in the fridge These things would be more nutritious than eating Quorn every day.