I’ve toyed with the idea for a few years now of going vegetarian, I used to be, a long while ago but I didn’t keep it up. I’ve always had trouble with iron, protein and eating in general. I either eat too much of the bad stuff or not at all but over the last year and a half, Chris and I have really been working on eating better, I’ve been adding in veggies and getting healthier. We are also going to limit sugar in our diet, Chris has been getting sick from it, Nate has been a lunatic after eating it and I have noticed the scale goes up a bit the day after I eat sweet treats even if I factored it into my calories. That’s not to say we will never have a cookie, I am a baker after all! But, we are trying to limit it.
Many people have asked me, why, why do you want to do this? Well, I watched a documentary and learned that you can heal/fix/correct your body by eating a plant based diet and it just clicked. Going vegetarian was what I wanted to do and luckily, my husband was on board too and so we made the switch Friday.
Today is day six and I can’t say I’ve noticed a HUGE difference but I also have a three week (as of tomorrow) little girl who is keeping me up at night and making food for her seems to be tiring for my body. I have noticed that little things that used to annoy me are less obnoxious. For example, getting all the way upstairs and realizing I forgot my drink or to switch laundry. Now I just run back downstairs and run back up. I have noticed that I feel a little better and am sleeping a bit better despite a fore mentioned baby. That could be coincidence or that could be veggie diet, who knows but I’m sure time will tell! One thing we ARE struggling with is eating out, Chris works a lot so we eat out for lunch or dinner probably three times a week and it’s a little obnoxious to find filling food that is vegetarian and isn’t breaking my bank. How about lower the price of veggies and raise the price of fast food? Which is something I thought even before.
As for updated weight loss; 26 down from labor weight, 17 down from pre-pregnancy weight and 44 down for my total. I’m hoping that the number keeps dropping and it will faster once I’m cleared for exercise. However, between watching calories, running around with Nate, plant based diet, breastfeeding and guzzling water, I’m doing pretty good!
Would you try a plant based diet? Do you already because I would love recipe shares! Or, never gonna happen? I love animals but it really isn’t about that for me, it’s about health. To know that you can reverse so many things by making these changes, I’m up to try it!
I would love too but my family would never jump completely on board with me and the idea of making separate meals exhausts me! We do have meatless nights throughout the week and we don’t eat red meat. Some of the things I make are broccoli cheese soup, corn chowder, bean burritos (with homemade re-fried/crock-pot beans, quiche, and I also do an avocado and egg wrap that is delish. I can email you any of those recipes should you want them.
You should be very proud of yourself! I started hot yoga last week and I love it. I never knew that one person could sweat that much but you’ve got to love sweat as it is the great equalizer!
Yes, yes, yes! I’m right on that ledge and about to jump off and do it myself. I’m pretty sure I have my husband’s support. Not sure about the teenager, but given a choice of cooking his own meals or eating what I make, I’m pretty sure he’ll just eat it. And I just made a great Asian-Style “fried rice” dish tonight that was yummy!
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I live in the land of the veggies hello California…However I will not ever become a vegetarian I love my protein too much and tofu just is not going to cut it. I work out daily so I need it. I only have red meat once a month but I survive on grilled chicken/fish/veggies. I am also Italian so when we cook it out. I have many friends who are vegetarian that eat way unhealthy allot of frozen processed foods and the two who are strict vegans are always at the doctor becasue of low vitamins and whatever. I believe everything is fine in moderation.
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We eat a veggie heavy diet in our home, but I don’t think we’d go completely veggie. My husband is a chef and he likes to play with different things in the kitchen. Meat proteins is one of his favorite ways to mix it up. Honestly, I think variety is the key. Obviously you can’t eat steaks and hamburgers every day and expect to have excellent health. That much red meat isn’t good for you. On the flip side, there are essential amino acids out bodies require that can only be found in animal proteins…
I love cheeseburgers way to much to ever go vegetarian, but I think it’s awesome that you are and it’s working out for you so far. 44 lbs is awesome by the way – keep it up
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted..Fun St. Patty’s Day Recipes for Kids
Hi Stephanie,
I do eat a lot of veggies and definitely feel well…but I still need lots of protein and I’m not sure I could swing that on an all-veggie diet. Congrats on your weight loss!! Awesome!!
Hi Stephanie–I have 3 girls, ages 18, 16, and 13 who are all vegetarians. The parents–not! I worry about their nutrition and adequate protein intake, but I love their resolve, and the fact that they’ve done this for several years now. I wish you good luck on your quest to eat healthier. Me? Love my meat too much–especially bacon! That veggie bacon looks and smells so gross–sorry to anyone I’ve offended there!
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I was vegan till I got pregnant, then became a hardcore carnivore again — the baby wants what it wants! Now I’m MOSTLY veg, but will eat fish. I do love me some sushi. Stopping by from SITS. Enjoy your day!
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Happy SITS Day to you!
I’m not really picky but my husband is. As well as my son. So dinner time can be extra special fun.
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Happy SITS day. Want to eat better check my blog for the epicurious post!
All the best,
Kelly
We love our plant based diet! It works so well for our family
Christa the BabbyMama recently posted..Thoughts on Drug Free Birthin’ Or Why I’m an L&D Sissy
Happy SITS Day!!!! I love your blog.
Michael recently posted..Fire + Me = Bad
I did the vegetarian thing for about two months after watching Forks Over Knives. I ended up adding meat back into my diet because I felt like I was going to faint by the end of every day. Good luck to you.
PS, Happy SITS Day!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks
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Picky eater in the house right here, too! My husband is way more adventurous than me and tries to drag me kicking and screaming into more adventurous eating!
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Congrats on making the switch to a plant-based diet! I have been a vegetarian for the past 15 years and it’s a decision I’m very glad I made. I feel healthy and don’t feel I have to watch everything I put in my mouth since it’s all good and tasty.
Happy happy SITS day… I wish you all the best and am glad to hear you have such a sweet and supportive hubby!
Charlotte recently posted..not-so-deep thoughts by charlotte
I have been a vegetarian for over 4 years now and I love it. I am not vegan, still eat dairy but the no meat etc. has really changed my life.
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I was a Vegetarian for about 4 years, I also had a lot of Iron issues and mineral issues as well, I still have the Iron issues, unfortunately and I would love to go back to a mostly veggie diet, my boyfriend would never go for it, his opinion on veggies is why would he eat the food that food eats.
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