For all of you vegetarians....

[wkoutmom]

Hey there. I have been a vegetarian off and on for years now. I will eat the meat, but it really grosses me out. The only reason that I eat it (occasionally) right now is for energy purposes. Can any of you vegetarians here give me any ideas on what you eat to increase muscle bulk/or to get energy for the day.

I am really confused on what to eat to make complete proteins. Any help would be great!! Thank you!

Lea

 

[rnyogamom]

HI! For me, it helps to make my own bread (literally, have a grinder and bosch mixer and do the whole prairie thing) and have it with a scoop of fat free cottage cheese and banana/apple slices (whole fats, as mentioned in another forum drove my normally low cholesterol to 203!!)...that helps..Also, the EAS protein bars, I get the lite ones and have them with a huge glass of water with Emergen C in it...those all help...nothing like roast beef though....sigh....

 

[kathryn]

For bulk, it's just a matter of working the muscle (8-12 reps per exercise, going to failure on most sets) and calories.

The concept of "complete proteins" is based on studies that tests what proteins could be the sole source of protein in the diet and allow one to thrive. Unfortunately, the first studies were done on rats, who need much more of one or two amino acids than humans do. When this was compensated for, plant proteins such as soy, hemp, quinoa and buckwheat come out as being complete proteins.

If you eat proteins that are not 'complete," don't worry about it, as the excess amino acids are stored in the liver for a time, waiting to be used (out bodies don't actually use proteins, but the amino acids that the proteins are built from. The body breaks down preformed proteins (like muscle/meat) into their individual amino acids, then uses these AA's to build whatever proteins it needs).

Grains are usually deficient in certain amino acids, as are beans, but together, they are not. If you eat beans and rice within the same 24-hour-or-so period, the body will mix and match the amino acids to form complete proteins).

 

[wkoutmom]

Thanks for all of your input.

Kathryn- It's been said before, but you are one knowledgable woman. Thank you for your input.

Lea

 

[LauraMax]

The Today Show actually had a pretty interesting piece this morning:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15286171/

 

[MCunningham]

I'm a big fan of quinoa (pronounced kin-wa). It's a small grain that you cook, and it's insanely high in protein. I also eat a lot of red beans and garbanzo beans.

 

[wellness]

Hi THere...I've been a veg. for over 15 years now. 2 years ago I added chicken, turkey, and seafood. Just no red meat. So, I quess that isn't a "true" veg. But, I eat alot of beans and veg. If I have beans, I'll make it with brown rice or whole wheat pasta. I find myself, I think out of habit, eating more veggies than meat.

 

[maddiesmum]

I have never felt the ned to go back to meat. My main sources of protein are yoghurt, milk, some cheese, a lot of lentils and eggs (don't be afraid of eggs, they are one of the best sources of copmplete proteins around, and I don't eat just the whites since the yolk is where all the fat soluble vitamins are to be found. Also kidney beans and pinto beans which I enclude in my lasagnas and refried beans/burritos mix. I use lentils in lentil stew which includes everything under the sun and lentil soup of which I have a pot in the fridge all Winter long, it is so good for you (fibre, iron, protein) and fab for Winter days.

I never eat soy and I abhor all products made for vegetarians that "look like meat" from tofu, soy and quorn. To me they are tasteless and overpriced. I am able to build muscle onto my ecto frame with this diet and lifting heavy weights. And if I feel peckish, I'll add a protein bar with about 10-15 mgs of protein and no trans fats.

there are little bits of protein everywhere and they all start to add up. You don't need steaks.

Clare