Training & Nutrition - Problems going veggie for a month?

I'm going to go meatless for February.

Why?

It's the shortest month of the year!

Anyway.. I'm just wondering if there are certain things I need to do to adapt my diet in order to maintain good health, etc.

Originally posted by William Karsten
I'm just wondering if there are certain things I need to do to adapt my diet in order to maintain good health, etc.

Before I became vegetarian, I would go a few weeks at a time not eating meat, but I found it difficult to do. Eventually, I lost my taste for meat and had no desire for it. I find, even as a vegetarian, that if I have not had much protein, I start to crave meat. So, make sure you eat plenty of protein...beans, dairy, soy (tofu, tempeh, soymilk). With this balanced diet, you will not even miss meat.

There is a good book, with a lot of recipes..."Diet For A Small Planet" by Frances Moore Lappe.

Here is a review of the book...
http://www.vita-connection.com/vc39.htm

As a vegetarian (I eat dairy produce and eggs so I'm technically ovo-lacto-vegetarian I think ;) ) now for 12 years the only problem I can think of is be careful of an over reliance on dairy products (particularly cheese) as an ingredient and protein source or you'll get fat :D. Vegetarian ready meals can be very high in fat as well.

As far as cycling is concerned, a vegetarian diet tends to be fairly high in carbohydrates so you won't have any problems there.

If you want meat substitutes, Quorn is very popular with meat eaters (not disimilar to chicken but lower in fat). Tofu is an aquired taste, but I love it. Seitan is probably even more of an aquired taste. A lot of the soya based meat substitutes are pretty low on texture.

Richard

Originally posted by Richard D
As a vegetarian (I eat dairy produce and eggs so I'm technically ovo-lacto-vegetarian I think ;) ) now for 12 years the only problem I can think of is be careful of an over reliance on dairy products (particularly cheese) as an ingredient and protein source or you'll get fat :D. Vegetarian ready meals can be very high in fat as well.

As far as cycling is concerned, a vegetarian diet tends to be fairly high in carbohydrates so you won't have any problems there.

If you want meat substitutes, Quorn is very popular with meat eaters (not disimilar to chicken but lower in fat). Tofu is an aquired taste, but I love it. Seitan is probably even more of an aquired taste. A lot of the soya based meat substitutes are pretty low on texture.

Richard

As a vegetarian of some 11 years standing (and sitting), I second all of the above.
I worried about a diminishment in my performance but this fear was unfounded. As long as you eat a well balanced diet you shouldn't need supplements, and you may feel that after eating you feel less "bagged", know I do.

if you go vegan (too difficult a lifestyle for me) then it becomes far more difficult to maintain good balance of dietary intake.

Thank you, very much for the advice.

I'm interested in the "Baggage" issue for sure.

As an ultra low-fat vegetarian going into my second year, I find I get hungry if I don't get some protein. I like the morningstar farms breakfast links, and Gimme Lean meatless sausage at breakfast, and there is a very good roast turkey style luncheon meat type product that is soybased and almost all protein for sandwiches. Gardenburger makes a grilled chicken style pattie that I love. Actually, the big Wal-mart with the grocery store inside had all of these products and more. Tofu is good in soups or other dishes where it can absorb flavors instead of trying to stand alone. I went on a vegetarian diet to lose weight, intending to go back to meat in a month or so, but I feel so good I don't see myself eating meat again.

I don't depend on meat like I used to.

Originally posted by coolpapa
I went on a vegetarian diet to lose weight, intending to go back to meat in a month or so, but I feel so good I don't see myself eating meat again.

Know what you mean, but when I went veggie I initially put on 1.5 stones. (Too much cheese and sauces with pasta)

Originally posted by chewa


Know what you mean, but when I went veggie I initially put on 1.5 stones. (Too much cheese and sauces with pasta)

Me too :D

Richard

I like the morningstar farms breakfast links, and Gimme Lean meatless sausage at breakfast

I was never much of a sausage fan but when my wife decided to join me as a veggie she initially missed meat so we had some tofu based sausages that weren't bad (Cauldron foods?). We also tried the Morningstar Streaky rashers which despite never having been a bacon fan I quite took to; unfortunately they encouraged a cooked breakfast at the weekend and an increase in waistline :D

Richard

Originally posted by William Karsten
Anyway.. I'm just wondering if there are certain things I need to do to adapt my diet in order to maintain good health, etc.

I'm assuming you know the basics? Protein((bean, legumes)+a grain(rice, barley, whole wheat etc...) for a more complete protein.

If you are not going to eat eggs/dairy you might want to supplement a multi- B vitamin.

If you are worried about weight gain use only the egg whites and try some of the low-fat dairy products.

You can add protein by doing things like adding nuts and beans to salads and soups.

I like to keep a good stock of canned beans. I had some blood sugar problems when i first went veggie(years ago) and my excuse for not gettting enough protein was "I forgot to soak the beans last night..."

Another good cookbook is Evelyn Raaab's "The Clueless Vegetarian". It's not "preachy" at all and most of the recipes are fast and easy to make. It's a very gentle introduction to both cooking and vegetarianism.

Good luck.

I changed my diet to a fish/dairy/egg eating vegetarian for about 8 months. I was surprised at how easy it was.
I think one of the important things to consider though, is that you keep your diet balanced. For instance, I think when you are leaving out meat, you don't really make rules for junk food and other things that can be unhealthy in excess.
Originally, I wanted a challenge, something to force me into different eating habits and something to expand my culinary tastes. I did try lots of new things during this time. But on the down side, during my lazy times, I found myself eating lots of fish and less veggies, which to me, was kind of missing the point.
On the plus side, I pretty much like all foods from all countries, so it was easy for me to throw some tofu into a veggie soup. I know someone said tofu is an aquired taste. I agree, as are some of the more exotic veggies.
Bottom line: Get a good cook book and start experimenting. And if you aren't into cooking, I hope there are some good Asian/Indian restaurants in your area.

Good Luck with it. Its a lot easier than it seems.

Dave

Thank you very much everyone for this info.

If you breathe through your mouth during your rides, you'll find that the bugs give you plenty of protein.

Dave:D