Hi
I'm here for the obvious, yep - on mision 'to lose it' and sooo glad there are lots of others out there supporting. Being a L-O vegetarian has lead to years of a high carb diet. So today I'm starting a new approach. Wish me luck..!
Meredith

Best of Luck to you. It can not be easy for vegetarians.

Hi Meredith,

Welcome to the forum and the best of luck to you. Out of curiosity, what will you be eating; do you eat eggs and cheese?

Keep us posted on how you get on.

Being a vegetarian is v v hard - but I do eat cheese & eggs as well as seafood (rarely). I haven't eaten meat for about 16 years and I don't think I could handle it! (grew up on a farm and wasn't impressed by home-killed meat)
I suppose that is part of what i want to get out the low carb forum - IDEAS!
-meredith

I understand your problem! I have wanted to give up meat many times for 2 reasons--I love animals--and I have heard some awful stories of how the butchering process works. Just yesterday I was at a county park with a farm that raises animals to show city children what farming is all about--I petted this really cute cow. He was a bull, actually, and he loved to be petted.

However, for selfish reasons (I feel and look better with more protein)--I have never given up meat. It is a bit of an inner conflict at times.

One observation. As a doctor (chiro) I see a lot of bodies. And a very obvious phenomenon is that strict vegetarians--especially females who keep their overall calories very low--age much more rapidly. Their skin tone and muscle tone is very poor.

I think you can do it though without eating the bigger mammals anyway. Add some good whey/soy/egg protein shakes (guys in the exercise forum can suggest good ones). Eat lots of your good organic eggs/cheeses--and if you can step up the seafood to a bit more than you are used to. You might even consider adding poultry if your experience with their processing isn't too bad. I do hear that the organic ones are generally treated well (free range, etc), if that is any help.

Marj

thanks Marg for the ideas
I am defeintely trying to eat more tofu & soy products too. It's a total mind warp for me - I read on the weekend Schwartzbein's book - and it is just the opposite of what i was taught as good nutrition!
I suppose I was drawn to Schwartzbein because she has vegetarian options... But the standard high carb-low fat & being slack with protein has not worked.
fingers crossed

Hi Meredith,

I think there are some veggie options in the Atkins cook book. I'll come back to you on that one as I'm not at home at present.

Speak soon.