Commuting - Who is a vegetarian?

I am a commuter and I was wonder who else out there is a vegetarian. What is your favorite food?
Thanks

I'm a commuter and a vegetarian, too! (actually vegan) :)

My favorite foods are asian stir fries and veggie curries, but lately I've been really enjoying raw salads with all the fixings: spinach, kale, chard, collard greens, almonds, flax seeds, red bell peppers, carrots, onions, radishes, beets, broccoli, sprouts, mushrooms, and on and on.

I commute by bike, but I'm not a vegetarian. Yet, I believe that eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits and nuts are extremely healthful.

There is an old saying that cyclists can eat almost anything. I don't know about that, but I think a hungry cyclist will eat almost anything.

We Americans eat way too much ugly junk. Then, we take our vitamin/mineral/fiber supplements to "make up" for our lack of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. I really believe that limiting meat intake and increasing everything else is a good thing.

Eating right helps prevent all kinds of disease (as does bicycling and other good exercise.)

I am an omnivore, with an emphasis on real, unprocessed foods. That means lots of local produce, since I'm fortunate to live in the heart of the richest agricultural region on the planet.

I'm a strict vegetarian when I'm consuming my salad course just prior to settling into a nice 24 oz Porterhouse... dry-aged, med. rare.

My girlfriend is a vegitarian which pretty much makes me a vegitarian. She left for wales so I started just cooking for me and started eating meat again. God that stuff is awful (except fish and skinless chicken breats). My energy level plumeted. I'm a big fan of anything spicy. I know a great eggplant lasagna that is really healthy and tastes great. Props to the real vegitarians out there. Peace.

The fact that I'm reading this while wolfin down my second post ride Egg-McMuffin would put me in the Omnivore category.

Commuting / cycling has definitely changed my eating habits though. Smaller, more frequent meals. And smaller has lead to things like an increase in fruits, veggies, yogurt, etc, etc.

And Jesus H Christ I guzzle down water.

I've been a vegan for about 7 years, mostly-vegan about 4 years before that, and a vegetarian about 7 years before that. I commute to work/meetings/shopping, do semi-fast (avg. 17MPH, cruise 20MPH) rec rides 2-3 times/week in the good weather, and slow-rec ride a tandem with my wife on the weekends. Avg. 100-140 miles/week in the warm weather; rode 3100 miles last year. We walk a lot in the winter.

I eat a fair amount of junk snack food, but for meals, I eat as much fresh, organic whole food as possible. I guess I maintain an activity level that allows me to eat full meals of healthy food, and snack significantly on junk food, an maintain my weight.

Ditto dobber on the H2O; keeping hydrated, and flushing the body of toxins (we live in a pretty polluted urban environment) are both essential. Fill that Camelbak! Empty? Fill it again!

Oh, fave foods: middle eastern, Indian, Thai/Lao. Greens, lots of greens. Our "standby" simple meal is black-eyed peas and collard greens over rice. For long rides I carry electrolytes (cheaper than Gatorade) and carry a banana and/or a Clif bar for bonk prevention.

vegetarian (lacto-ovo) here for 6 years (my wife for over 10). I do it primarily to eat low on the food chain and decrease the amount of resources I am responisble for consuming.

My favorite foods are what come out of my garden during the growing season. Right now:spring garlic, lettuce and salad greens, yellow and green beans are abundant.

Otherwise we eat lots of soy: soymilk (with cereal and fruit) for breakfast, and tofu in all its incarnations (had BBQ tofu sandwishes the other day). We also regularly have italian pastas, pestos, eggplant is great, pizza yeah! Oh came back to edit before I forget, also love curry powders and pastes with tofu and vegetables, and making homemade veggie potpie!

Glad to see there are at least a few veg heads here.
It really surprises me, though, that there aren't more veggie cyclists/commuters.
There are a lot of people that choose to ride a bike instead of drive to benefit the earth and themselves. Choosing veg is another very obvious and easy way to have a positive affect on the earth and ourselves. I never understand people who call themselves environmentalists but still eat meat. The ramifications of an average American diet as opposed to a veg diet is very destructive on the environment. Of course, there are ways to be an omnivore while causing no more detrimental affect than those on a veg diet, but it's not usually the case.

I eat meat because there's no vegitarian diet that provides me with the same amount of complete protein a much smaller serving of meat can provide. And because i'm avidly anti-soy.

I eat meat because there's no vegitarian diet that provides me with the same amount of complete protein a much smaller serving of meat can provide. And because i'm avidly anti-soy.

Sorry, but that's not true.

The ramifications of an average American diet as opposed to a veg diet is very destructive on the environment.

Who said that the folks on this forum eat the average American diet?

I am an omnivore, with an emphasis on real, unprocessed foods. That means lots of local produce, since I'm fortunate to live in the heart of the richest agricultural region on the planet.
I agree with this, and I would go one step further in that I try to buy organically grown (or equivalent) local meat and produce whenever possible. I very much dislike the unnecessary, excessive and unhealthy use of toxic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, growth hormones, etc., etc. that are promoted so heavily by the petrochemical and related industries, and are ubiquitous in the products of the large corporate farms. I also object to the significant waste of energy involved in the shipping of agricultural products to/from distant points on the globe.

It's really worth a few cents more to buy organically grown food direct from a local grower at a local farmer's market or natural foods store, when those foods are in season!

It's really worth a few cents more to buy organically grown food direct from a local grower at a local farmer's market or natural foods store, when those foods are in season!

Testify!

Who said that the folks on this forum eat the average American diet?

Sorry, my mistake.

Still, most people will say "Yeah, but you could eat local free-range meat, dairy, and eggs."
But I'd bet there's very few who actually do all the time.
What I've noticed from my 7 years as a vegan is it has made me much more conscious of what I am consuming. Not just putting into my body, but on my body, in my house, on my garden, etc.

I'm sure if you took a socio-demographical study, bicycle commuters as a group would probably have less harmful diets than non-cyclists, as the mere fact that they choose to ride instead of drive would have the same affect, causing them to become more conscious in other things they do than the average human. But still, from my point of view, it is extremely easy to just not eat meat/dairy/eggs, and thus help out that much more. But it's just like wearing a helmet: It's not the ultimate answer to the problem, but it sure is an obvious and easy way to help it out. It's a personal decision. I don't mean to make it seem like personal attacks on anyone. :)

You're right gonesh9, I didn't mean to get all prickly about it. The older I get the less meat I eat, but I doubt I'll ever be meat free.

As I read this I'm eating a large tossed salad and enjoying it very much.

I'm not a vegitarian but I do eat less meat than most people I know and a lot of what I do eat is free range stuff from the farmer's market.

I know a great eggplant lasagna that is really healthy and tastes great.

That sounds awsome, could you post the recipe?

"It really surprises me, though, that there aren't more veggie cyclists/commuters.
There are a lot of people that choose to ride a bike instead of drive to benefit the earth and themselves. Choosing veg is another very obvious and easy way to have a positive affect on the earth and ourselves. I never understand people who call themselves environmentalists but still eat meat."

Alas, there are numerous reasons for cycling, not all of which are environmental. Time-saving, money saving, exersize, mental health, tweaking the neighbours by working on bikes in the front yard, less damage to public infrastructure (and thus lower taxation) etc., etc. You could leave the environment completely out of the equation and still have an excellent and persuasive argument for cycle commuting.

All our diets, given the infrastructure that moves food to the table, are to some degree harmfull to the environment. As I've said in other threads on vegitarianism, it's nearly impossible to live a life without some contradicition, so choose the amount you're willing to live with and live with it.

I eat meat, mostly chicken and fish. The major nos in my diet are caffine and mushrooms; the first because it actually makes me more sluggish long term, and the second due to a severe allergy.

not a vegetarian, but don't eat livestock meat. Plenty tuna though :)

Big time carnivore here, I love meat, especially beef (rare), but mostly focus on chicken and fish. I also realize the importance of fresh vegatables and fruit and try to incorporate as much of it in my diet as possible. Some of my favorite types of cuisine are; Thai, Middle Eastern, and Vietnamese. I supplement quite a bit too with: multi vitamins and iron, and fish oil pills as well as protein shakes. I try to drink as much water as possible and drink only decaf coffee and have recently given up sodas entirely. My normal "maintenance" diet is fairly strict, however, I have a weak spot for desserts and eat fairly freely on tours and longer rides.

It's really worth a few cents more to buy organically grown food direct from a local grower at a local farmer's market or natural foods store, when those foods are in season!

Assuming, of course, that your local farmers actually do grow things organically. Around here they most certainly do not. Heck, after hearing about the sort of things they spray on Strawberries in Caboolture and surrounding areas, I will only buy a punnet of strawberries if it clearly states on the label that they come from either Victoria or Tasmania.

On the plus side, I did have a very nice, freshly picked organic salad a couple of weeks ago on my three-day tour on the (soon to be) notorious East Egypt road. This little cafe not only grows it's own ingredients, but in fact goes out to the garden and picks the salad while you're waiting for your meal. Suffice to say, if I'm ever in that area again, I know where I'm stopping for lunch. In fact, some of the best (and best value) food I've ever eaten on cycling tours has been from local fruit stalls.

As far as water goes, I'm down to around 4-5 litres a day at the moment -- it's "winter" here right now. Next summer, I'll be up to around 10 litres a day once more.

Just one more thing to add -- my passionfruit is 100% organically grown -- by me. :p

Just one more thing to add -- my passionfruit is 100% organically grown -- by me. :p Yeah, but if it never gets picked it's gonna rot on the tree....

(Ducking...)

Assuming, of course, that your local farmers actually do grow things organically. Around here they most certainly do not. Heck, after hearing about the sort of things they spray on Strawberries in Caboolture and surrounding areas, I will only buy a punnet of strawberries if it clearly states on the label that they come from either Victoria or Tasmania.

On the plus side, I did have a very nice, freshly picked organic salad a couple of weeks ago on my three-day tour on the (soon to be) notorious East Egypt road. This little cafe not only grows it's own ingredients, but in fact goes out to the garden and picks the salad while you're waiting for your meal. Suffice to say, if I'm ever in that area again, I know where I'm stopping for lunch. In fact, some of the best (and best value) food I've ever eaten on cycling tours has been from local fruit stalls.

As far as water goes, I'm down to around 4-5 litres a day at the moment -- it's "winter" here right now. Next summer, I'll be up to around 10 litres a day once more.
Fortunately, there's a very strong organic growers movement in Oregon, and much of the produce at the local farmer's market and at any of several natural foods stores is in fact certified organic or equivalent. :)

Also, I grow what I can myself, also organically. Of course, there's only so far you can go on a city lot, but I'll have eaten garlic, lettuce, squash, green beans, serrano peppers, parsnips, leeks, mint, carrots and chard from my garden by the end of the year...

I'm a meat-a-tarian.
Carne asada, BBQ and carnitas tacos with great salsas are the universe's gifts to me.
I eat alot of great veggies and fruits, too.
I just eat (and cook) alot.

I think I'll go ride now.

Best,
El Cabron

I was huge into meat for most of my life. I ate hamburgers at every meal through high school and the first two years of college. Then I started tapering off the amout of meat I ate and I felt like i had so much more energy. I no longer need to take naps after I eat. I've been vegitarian for a year and a half or so and working on vegan. The worst part about going vegan is having to give up pre-packaged pasteries from the vending machines. I lived on those things. but just recently I found out that Mrs. Freshley's Honey Buns are dairy and egg free. So I can still get my fix until I give up honey and refined sugar.
As for commuting, I don't think I could do it if I still ate meat. I never had enough energy then.

tim

I was huge into meat for most of my life. I ate hamburgers at every meal through high school and the first two years of college. Then I started tapering off the amout of meat I ate and I felt like i had so much more energy. I no longer need to take naps after I eat. I've been vegitarian for a year and a half or so and working on vegan. The worst part about going vegan is having to give up pre-packaged pasteries from the vending machines. I lived on those things. but just recently I found out that Mrs. Freshley's Honey Buns are dairy and egg free. So I can still get my fix until I give up honey and refined sugar.
As for commuting, I don't think I could do it if I still ate meat. I never had enough energy then.

tim

Damn, whats left to eat, twigs and leaves?

Yeah, but if it never gets picked it's gonna rot on the tree....

(Ducking...)

Umm, it's a vine actually. I gave it a prune a couple of weeks ago. Apparently this stuff isn't supposed to grow in "winter".

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=55477

Twigs and leaves? Thats what the sugar companies want you to think.

tim

Umm, it's a vine actually. I gave it a prune a couple of weeks ago. Apparently this stuff isn't supposed to grow in "winter".

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=55477 Oh, man, I didn't realize you meant it literally about the passionfruit. Oh, never mind. Just never mind. Sorry.

Haahaa, that FUNNY. Poor madpogue. :P


Oh, man, I didn't realize you meant it literally about the passionfruit. Oh, never mind. Just never mind. Sorry.

I do eat fish about once a month, but basically I haven't eaten meat or poultry for 24 years. That doesn't mean I'm virtuous in any way, I eat too much fat, too many carbohydrates (I'm a sucker for anything that has been proofed and raised), and not enough of the green leafies. Partially because I tend to eat when I can, which isn't often and tends to be when I'm either too tired to cook or don't have time. I'll know I've retired when I actually eat 21 meals in a week. For all my bad eating I still seem to turn the wheels around on my commutes.

I dunno, I'm still trying to figure out where this "carbs are bad" idea comes from. I can't get enough of them, yet I never seem to put on any weight.

I dunno, I'm still trying to figure out where this "carbs are bad" idea comes from. I can't get enough of them, yet I never seem to put on any weight.

Yeah, same here. I think that the idea is that processed carbohydrates that people snack on are unhealthy, because people often eat far too much. Somehow this observation has been distorted into the ridiculous idea that all carbs are bad for you.

Regarding the initial question that started this thread, bags of organic popcorn are a terrific vegan snack for cyclists, especially the herb flavor you can buy at many grocery stores. Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and and other nuts are good, too. And of course, the traditional and unbeatable PBJ sandwich with all natural peanut butter, GOOD jam, and sprouted grain bread. Or, for a lunch, get said bread and put on some veganaise, alfalfa sprouts, veggie deli slices, a piece of tomato, and a slice of Follow Your Heart soy cheese. Or two.

Interesting thread. Oh yeah, if you want to write a confessional about how you're not a vegetarian and what kind of meat you eat, blah blah, start another thread. The question is about vegetarian foods, people.

I'm keeping food intake on the vegetarian side from now on. No problems with meat, I've just enjoyed a vegetarian diet more. Easy stuff. PBJ's Sprouted grain bread, PB -no salt added, and definately good jam. Salads that have fruit and nuts in them, pistachios, walnuts, pignolias, strawberrys, apples, peaches, gorgonzola, feta, and a ton of mixed greens, home made dressing olive oil and vinegar, a hard boiled egg sliced. Home made hummus with sprouted grain bread any kind of sprout and a slice of tomato and some baked tofu. ummmmmmm, baked tofu!!!Soak the tofu in (PLUG)Bragg Liquid Aminos(PLUG) and bake it 'til it has a tough outside -taste like salty jerky and is great in any vegetarian sammie. My friend makes a vegan chocolate cake once a month and I get a slice of it and oh sweet lord, find this type of recipe IT IS FREAKING PERFECT!!! I love Classico spicy pepper red sauce and Progresso Lentil soup.

Any of you all on a raw/living food diet? I've been vegan for awhile and tried raw foodism for a few week. (The end of the diet had nothing to do with the food being raw, but my own bonehead mistake in preparing something. Still quite hard for me to stomach raw sprouted beans, six months later).

Anyway, I found I had even *more* energy eating raw foods than I did heavily cooked vegan dishes. I think this had mostly to do with how light most raw foods are. I could eat as much fruit and vegetable salad as I wanted, satisfy my hunger, but feel no heaviness in the stomach. It's an odd feeling to know you need not eat more, yet as spry as before you started eating.

I am not vegetarian but I eat very little meat. My major food are noodle ! Because it is cheap and provide more energy !

I am a commuter and I was wonder who else out there is a vegetarian. What is your favorite food?
Thanks


I can't say Im a vegetarian, not by a long shot. I am a very avid hunter and fisherman.

I'm freegan-which means I'm vegan except if I dumpster dive a product containing animal products in it -I eat it. For ex. - I dumpstered a loaf of bread last night w/whey in it-I'm grubbing down on it. Or I sometimes come across some blocks of cheese, granola bars with milk chocolate in them, etc.

GQ

I am a commuter and I was wonder who else out there is a vegetarian. What is your favorite food?
Thanks

I always point people to this website whenever I can.....

http://www.admworld.com/eng/food/default.asp

It's enough to make me puke when I think about what they're feeding us.

Beans beans they're good for your heart.

Black beans, lima beans, Black eyed peas, Kidney beans, Garbonzo Beans, etc. Usually I take one day in the week, load up my oven with about 3 or 3 dishes, and cook the them all for about 4 hours with some seasoning (no salt!) at about 250 (no pre-soaking necessary).

Lima's are my new favorite, generally all meals go great with rice, which is good fuel for the ride home.

good for making wraps, adding to salads, or even sauces with pasta. Beans and rice provide a nutritional value together, that they lack seperately.

And all very inexpensive.

Any of you all on a raw/living food diet? I've been vegan for awhile and tried raw foodism for a few week. (The end of the diet had nothing to do with the food being raw, but my own bonehead mistake in preparing something. Still quite hard for me to stomach raw sprouted beans, six months later).

Anyway, I found I had even *more* energy eating raw foods than I did heavily cooked vegan dishes. I think this had mostly to do with how light most raw foods are. I could eat as much fruit and vegetable salad as I wanted, satisfy my hunger, but feel no heaviness in the stomach. It's an odd feeling to know you need not eat more, yet as spry as before you started eating.

I'm not completely raw, but am vegan and have been concentrating on raw foods mostly lately. I hear you about having more energy when eating raw foods. It's pretty much common sense if you think about it: when you cook foods, even healthy foods, you are destroying the living enzymes within the food. When you eat whole foods in their natural state you are getting these essential enzymes which in turn contribute positively to your health. Another point is that cooked foods are much harder to digest than raw natural foods. Let's say a person eats a few pieces of fried chicken :eek: which has 5 'units' of energy. Your body uses 3 'units' of energy to digest it. You are left with a net gain of 2 units of energy. So, let's say another person eats a nice dish of raw organic dark leafy greens and maybe some radish and sprouts. That person gets the same 5 'units' of energy, but only uses 1 'unit' to digest it. Naturally, the second person will be enjoying a more energetic, healthier life while the first person is laying down on the couch watching a baseball game. Or maybe bass fishing. Or bowling. If they are feeling really energetic they might even turn on a basketball game.

It's so ironic that people who choose to eat smarter are often thought of as weaker.