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syzygy64 · #1 10-08-2005, 04:05 PM

Hello.
I don't know if any of you remember me. But I've totally fallen off the diet. I'm back at my starting weight.
I think the reason was because some of the foods were not compatible for me. I'm working on changing that.
I'm a vegan, so I'm not sure if Atkins is the right thing. But I do know that I lost more weight on this diet than any other. It took longer, but the weight stayed off longer too.
My downfall is cookies and hot cocoa...especially when the weather is cold. I haven't been very consistent either with the green tea challenge.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Are there any other vegans out there?
Colette

huskersfan869 · #2 10-08-2005, 04:18 PM

This can't be just a diet...diets end...this has to become a way of life for you. It is the way my family eats now...all of us...it is the way I cook and when we eat out it is still the way we eat. That was hard in the beginning to adapt to but once the diet went out the window and I started living this as a lifestyle lots of things changed both in my life and in my head.

dad2bike · #3 10-08-2005, 04:18 PM

You've made the first big step. Picking yourself up after the fall and standing up again. You never fail until you quit trying.
Hmmm. Cookies and Cocoa. Your a chocaholic aren't you?

I understand. I love chocolate anything! Have you tried any of the cocoa recipies that will keep your intake of other "stuff" down. I've seen some here that use bakers cocoa and DaVinci syrup. As far as vegan... Hmm I know there a several alternatives to provide protien intake. I'm sure your aware of many TOFU, Soy beans etc. I've had good luck with are using Zuchinni and shredding it and using in place of pasta. Great! There is a thread here about using Shirataki noodles. It is a Japanese white Yam. Really, Really good and filling too. Just hard to find.
Good luck on your mission. I'm sure that many others will post some helpful info as well.
Tom.

bkloots · #4 10-08-2005, 09:33 PM

Sure, I remember you. syzygy is a memorable word!

Given that low-carb usually involves a high percentage of animal protein, it appears that vegan and low-carb are by definition somewhat incompatible. As a vegan, your protein choices are probably limited to things like tofu (allowed) and beans (limited in low-carb). Fat can come in the form of vegetable oils rather than animal fats, but there again, the choices seem not as tasty, appetizing, or satisfying to the appetite.

Please say more about your actual daily menus. I think there's a link somewhere on this site about vegan options.

Rob · #5 10-09-2005, 02:13 PM

syzygy - Have you ever read The Schwarzbein Principle by Dianna Schwarzbein? It's not truly low carb; it's more controlled carb. But she does have a chapter on doing her plan as a vegetarian. And in fact she has a vegetarian cookbook. I have her regular cookbook and I have to say those recipes are excellent. So I'd be optimistic about her vegan recipes.

Lawbooks · #6 10-09-2005, 06:48 PM

Yes, I remember you! In fact, I just recently answered (very belatedly!) one of your posts regarding combining vegan/low-carb. Here was my response to you:

Quote:

I just want to put out a word of caution here... While I totally applaud your attempt (and Paladin's mother's attempt) to combine 2 extreme ways of eating, you need to be very careful to ensure that you are giving your body all it needs!
I, for one, have never believed that vegan and low-carb could be completely merged because where will you get your amino acids from??
I am definitely NOT an expert on vegan lifestyle, but I had always believed that vegans were able to eat healthily by combining several forms of grains & legumes to ensure they were meeting their amino requirements. (EX: corn, rice, and red beans = an almost complete amino-balanced meal, but you can't do corn OR rice if you are low-carbing!)
I think the best option for someone desiring to follow a vegan lifestyle is to strictly limit the junk. Most vegans and vegetarians I know, this is their downfall! They end up eating WAY too many crackers, chips, cookies, pasta, etc.
Go ahead and eat the rice & corn & beans, but leave the *non-necessity* foods behind & I think you will achieve your goals.
I hope this helps (even if just a little!)

Basically, what I think is that the two are NOT able to be combined -- at least, not in a healthy way. I think you should definitely check out a program like Schwarzbein's where the goal is not extremely low-carb, but moderate carbs & healthier choices.
THAT, I *do* believe can be done!

Good luck whatever you decide,

teelbee · #7 10-11-2005, 12:45 AM

Not addressing the wider issues of combining vegan/low carb lifestyles, but focusing on what you specifically said was your downfall: cookies and cocoa.,

I think there are some low carb choices to fill that void. Lacto/ovoid vegetarians have ~way~ more choices than strict vegans, but I still think there are cookie/cocoa options that fit even strict vegan requirements.

There are some nice peanutbutter and almond cookie recipes for low carb lifestyles and you could make a cocoa drink with soymilk. I'm not saying it would be good to eat unlimited amounts of those foods, but they are very nutritious choices to fill the cookie/cocoa void! :cook:

syzygy64 · #8 10-12-2005, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huskersfan869

This can't be just a diet...diets end...this has to become a way of life for you. It is the way my family eats now...all of us...it is the way I cook and when we eat out it is still the way we eat. That was hard in the beginning to adapt to but once the diet went out the window and I started living this as a lifestyle lots of things changed both in my life and in my head.

I know about this. Eating the right things are a way of life for me. Every now and then....lately 'now' I want something sinful. This is what gets me in trouble.
Thanks for your reply.

syzygy64 · #9 10-12-2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad2bike

You've made the first big step. Picking yourself up after the fall and standing up again. You never fail until you quit trying.
Hmmm. Cookies and Cocoa. Your a chocaholic aren't you?

I understand. I love chocolate anything! Have you tried any of the cocoa recipies that will keep your intake of other "stuff" down. I've seen some here that use bakers cocoa and DaVinci syrup. As far as vegan... Hmm I know there a several alternatives to provide protien intake. I'm sure your aware of many TOFU, Soy beans etc. I've had good luck with are using Zuchinni and shredding it and using in place of pasta. Great! There is a thread here about using Shirataki noodles. It is a Japanese white Yam. Really, Really good and filling too. Just hard to find.
Good luck on your mission. I'm sure that many others will post some helpful info as well.
Tom.

Thanks for the encouragement. I think we all need that from time to time.
chocoholic...:o I reach for comfort foods sometimes. Some of the low carb sweetners tend to have 'splenda' in them. This is not good though. I will look here for cocoa recipes and such because I sometimes need a healthy alternative. I love Tofu. It's low in carbs. I make things with it all of the time. I love Butternut squash, Japanese cucumber, Spaghetti Squash, and yes...I really like the Shirataki noodles. They are delicious...so delicious that you think you're cheating. I tend to get bored and sometimes run out of options I feel, so my mission continues.

syzygy64 · #10 10-12-2005, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawbooks

Yes, I remember you! In fact, I just recently answered (very belatedly!) one of your posts regarding combining vegan/low-carb. Here was my response to you:

Basically, what I think is that the two are NOT able to be combined -- at least, not in a healthy way. I think you should definitely check out a program like Schwarzbein's where the goal is not extremely low-carb, but moderate carbs & healthier choices.
THAT, I *do* believe can be done!

Good luck whatever you decide,

Sorry for the delay. I responded to that post today. I've had family issues lately, so I haven't been here much.

I will look into Schwarzbein's program. I thought I did this before, but maybe I'm getting it mixed up (as I usually get things mixed up) with something else.
Thanks.

syzygy64 · #11 10-12-2005, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

syzygy - Have you ever read The Schwarzbein Principle by Dianna Schwarzbein? It's not truly low carb; it's more controlled carb. But she does have a chapter on doing her plan as a vegetarian. And in fact she has a vegetarian cookbook. I have her regular cookbook and I have to say those recipes are excellent. So I'd be optimistic about her vegan recipes.

Hey Rob, Thanks. I just ordered (on hold waiting list) on-line a few of her books from my local library. The cookbook, and the Truth about losing weight. I will start there.

syzygy64 · #12 10-12-2005, 05:14 PM

OH yeah, I almost forgot to mention that I get MAD cravings for chinese food...namely the "rice" :-(

syzygy64 · #13 10-12-2005, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkloots

Sure, I remember you. syzygy is a memorable word!

Given that low-carb usually involves a high percentage of animal protein, it appears that vegan and low-carb are by definition somewhat incompatible. As a vegan, your protein choices are probably limited to things like tofu (allowed) and beans (limited in low-carb). Fat can come in the form of vegetable oils rather than animal fats, but there again, the choices seem not as tasty, appetizing, or satisfying to the appetite.

Please say more about your actual daily menus. I think there's a link somewhere on this site about vegan options.

Thanks for remembering me.
I don't have a specific menu example. I like tasty food though and am not fond of the cow...LOL Here's a list of what I like to eat.
Tofu, Spaghetti Squash, Butternut Squash, Soy Products, Vegan style spare-ribs...yum yum yummy..., vegan pepper steak, vegan style deli-chik, yam noodles, rice milk, to name some.
I did not know I could eat beans on the diet though?
Here's my down-fall:
I love Kashi GoLean Shakes...but I've stopped drinking them.
vegan cookies and brownies, and hot cocoa, TJ's rice chocolate bars, and ginger snap / vanilla granola...to name a few.
Too much chocolate.

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