Overweight Vegetarian! Yes it is possible.

So I have been a vegetarian for 6 years, for moral reasons, not weightloss. However, I never thought I would reach my highest weight of my life being a vegetarian. People often say they don't believe me because vegetarians can't get this "thick". Any tips on how to maintain weight without meat?

Replies

unknown

melimomTARDIS wrote: »

my doctor told me vegetarians are incapable of overeating, because we don't have the enzymes to break down larger quantities of food. That's why vegetarians are so thin. (I am a vegetarian binge eater, fwiw.)

I once knew a very overweight vegan. So there goes that theory. :laugh: She said that whenever she told someone that she was vegan they'd always assume she was new to it and tell her it would help her lose weight. She'd been vegan for years.

unknown

melimomTARDIS wrote: »

my doctor told me vegetarians are incapable of overeating, because we don't have the enzymes to break down larger quantities of food. That's why vegetarians are so thin. (I am a vegetarian binge eater, fwiw.)

That doctor sounds ignorant

unknown

I've been an overeater, more specifically Binge. I weighed 99kgs.

Believe it or not, the key is in controlling the sugars. Now-a-days, we've sugar in almost each and everything. The best way to lose the fat is to control the sugar intake and have a caloric restriction. From 99kgs I came down to 74kgs (a total loss of 25kgs). Now i'm aiming for 60kgs. I'm a vegetarian (except I do eat eggs).

unknown

melimomTARDIS wrote: »

my doctor told me vegetarians are incapable of overeating, because we don't have the enzymes to break down larger quantities of food. That's why vegetarians are so thin. (I am a vegetarian binge eater, fwiw.)

What the heck? I'm sure many of us wish your doctor was right, but he is not.

unknown

Merkavar wrote: »

Saying a vegetarian can't be overweight is stupid.

especially as many vegetarians are crapatarians who eat junk food, candy and drink full sugar sodas. I work with one, she's double my weight.

unknown

AshleyCMoody wrote: »

melimomTARDIS wrote: »

my doctor told me vegetarians are incapable of overeating, because we don't have the enzymes to break down larger quantities of food. That's why vegetarians are so thin. (I am a vegetarian binge eater, fwiw.)

What the heck? I'm sure many of us wish your doctor was right, but he is not.

I just let that one slide. So wrong, in my experience (as someone who BINGE eats), that I dont even know where to begin correcting her.

unknown

I am in the same position.. vegetarian, mostly vegan for five years and at my highest weight ever. my goal right now is to stick with vegan food and to cut out unhealthy snacking. Also I know many people that are overweight and vegetarian. Often you fill the need for nutrients that you're feeling with sugars/carbohydrate ..

unknown

Guilt vs. motivation . . .

Reading through this thread I felt minor guilt running through a fast food joint getting traditional burger, fries, and drink telling myself it was just this one time. Three days in a row with guilt didn't change a thing. In fact, I felt more guilt and ate more at night. I read through a few more and by noting so many making efforts to eat better I felt a sense of motivation. On my way to a fourth fast food trip I stopped by the grocery store and picked up a salad and zero calorie drink. I was reminded of the last time I dropped 30 pounds and combined with reading your messages and . . . motivation instead of guilt!

Thank you all. There are plenty like me that don't traditionally post a ton that still read and find encouragement and some entertainment here.

Thanks Ash for starting this one.

BTW - approx 800 calorie difference in lunch assuming I ate the salad with dressing(which I did not) and the salad was more satisfying to me. Cheeseburger went by too fast, cost more money, and high in calories. Onward!