What the hell do I eat?!

[Mummyoftwo91]

I'm vegetarian, need to loose about 2 stone, just started going back to the gym. I really have no idea what I should be eating, seem to struggle with dinner the most, help please!

What do you normally eat for dinner? There may be some easy swaps?

You can do a million low cal, low carb, low fat things with lentils and pulses. Curry, stews, salads.
I love lentil daal with loads of spinach stirred through!

Sweet potato and chickpea madras

Sweet potato frittata/Spanish omelette with loads of veggies and a touch of cheese for healthy fat

Veggie chilli and spag bol with kidney beans and butter beans and lots of veg grated in

Squash stuffed with seasons onions and peppers

Deliciously Ella, for all her faults, is great for healthy vegetarian stuff!

No junk food, cut back on white carbs and reduce potion sizes helps me.

What confuses me though is how do i cut back on carbs? If I make a healthy chilli for example I want to load my plate up with rice too! I worry without the carbs I will be hungry as I don't eat meat

Low carb is only one of many different diet options, as a veggie I would go for calorie counting rather than low carbing.

However if it’s low carb specifically that you want to do, there’s alternatives such as cauliflower rice that you can have.

I'm technically vegetarian, but most vegan in practice, and also need to lose two stone. I will be partly calorie counting, partly Slimming World mindset of reducing empty calories like oil and focusing on filling, low calorie density food. So half a plate of veg with a smaller portion of pasta on the side, chilli on a jacket potato, focusing on higher protein plant foods like beans, lentils and tofu and more veg, but still thinking about healthy fats like avocado and nut butter (which is where the calorie counting comes in)

What sort of meals would you usually eat? A bean chilli for example will be very filling without rice, but as a lover of rice I prefer a smaller portion of chilli and rice than a bigger portion of just chilli, so I work with that.

Thank you, usual meals I eat are pretty healthy, all home made lots of veg, brown pasta ect but I feel like I rely on carbs way to much to fill me up, I think I need to up my protein

Low GI foods will help keep you fuller for longer, so ditch things like white bread, white rice, white pasta. Things likes rolled oats, lentils etc with high GI index will keep you fuller. Protein definitely keeps me fuller for longer too. Look at your portion sizes too and maybe count calories / macros.

@Mummyoftwo91

The problem with a veg diet is it tends to be high carb. Carbs cause insulin secretion which stores fat and also prevents glucagon secretion - the hormone which signals to your liver to access fat.

Protein is needed up to a point. Beyond that, it converts to ... glucose and you're only exacerbating the problem.

Focus on moderate protein and reduction of carb intake to below 25g per day if you can. You are threading a tight needle with a veg diet. It's easier than vegan but still hard to do.

Good luck.

I’m vegetarian and doing slimming world.
My food addiction is cheese and French bread, wine and crisps, pizza, chocolate etc which lead to a 2 st gain.
SW has done great recipe ideas on their website with limited carbs, like crust less quiche.
The main idea is filling 1/3 plate with veggies

and limiting bread & dairy.

I'm normally veggie but doing vegan January and feel better for getting rid of milk. Today has been very carb heavy and I'm feeling bloated so I'm going to try and reduce bread a bit.
I need to lose about 20lbs. Tofu and stir fry tomorrow I think.

Ugh it's so hard, because I've been back in the gym I'm just craving carbs! I feel like I'm eating healthier but I'm worried I won't loose the weight I want too

I base my breakfasts around Full fat, plain greek yoghurt & fruit and nuts. Or eggs on special occasions. If you eat a filling protein heavy breakfast then the rest of the day goes beautifully and you crave less food.

I've been ok today, hunger-wise. Granola (carefully measured out) with protein yoghurt and a fruit smoothie for breakfast. Took me through to lunch.

Vegan hoisin mushroom wrap for lunch.

Soup for tea. Surprised I'm not hungrier actually

@Mummyoftwo91

Make sure you eat enough fat.

If your low carb the weight will come off. Be patient.