veggie lifestyle

I am overwieght, I would like to lead a vegitarian lifestyle, but everytime I cut meats out I gain wieght and become tired and super emotional.  I supplement with protien in the form of eggs, peanut butter, and legumes but that does not seem to help.  Any suggestions, I would really like to stop killing animals for my own purpose, but i would also like to be able to get through a day without loads of caffiene and B supplements in the form of energy drinks too.

[Renee Radenberg]

- That is great you want to be a vegetarian and want to learn the right way to eat. As a vegetarian you should be getting all your vitamins and minerals from the foods you ate except Vitamin B12 and maybe Calcium (if you have a history of bone disease in your family). Vitamin B12 supplementation you need to take because it comes from meat sources and it not available through vegetarian diet. Calcium supplementation may be needed if your intake is on the lower side depending on what you eat and your bone density. It is important to eat the right combination of foods so you have the proper proteins and nutrients for your body too. Eat non-meat sources (soy products, nuts), low fat vegetarian combinations (rice & beans, pasta & beans, soy cheese & pasta, salads with nuts & seeds), substitute dairy products (low fat soy milk/soy yogurt), use plant oils, non trans-fat margarines, and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Eat daily high fiber breads and cereals (oatmeal). Suggest for your anemia that you take iron supplements to get it under control and then eat foods high in the iron to maintain it in normal limits. I recommend you read up on vegetarian and combinations of starches / vegetables and beans / nuts for protein, calcium, and other nutrients. Good sources of information are the American Dietetic Association website, www.eatright.org and Vegetarian Resource Group website, www.vrg.org

[toni5656]

Thanks fro getting back to me.  I did not realize how important food combinations were.  I have been reading up like you suggested and already am noticing not only a difference in my sleeping habits, but wieght loss.  Thankyou again for your great advice.