Wanting to vegetarian/vegan but ........

[amywah]

I also have to keep in mind that I need to lose 50+ pounds and I am broke!!!!! :)

So I get confused on how to put together a vegan diet that fits those criteria. I mean I literally have been getting fat on almonds lately. I think I may have to keep them out of the house because I overindulge big time.

So any ideas/tips for a very overweight person on a budget starting a veg/vegan lifestyle?

[~Wonder]

A vegan diet is cheap. Dried beans, grains, and pastas couldn't get much more economical. Add seasonal produce and the occasional sweet.

If you want to get a handle on your overindulging, try the No S Diet. It'll help you reign in mindless snacking and other downfalls that cause weight gain.
http://www.nosdiet.com/

[Abyssinian]

I would suggest you go out and buy some beans, dried is best. They're dirt cheap where I live.
Try to cut out processed foods, candy, white bread, white pasta and replace them with fruit, veg and other healthier options, like whole grains.
If you have a farmers market near you, visit it as much as you can. You can usually get some beautiful seasonal vegetables and fruits there.

[3LittleBirds]

+1 on the beans. They are super cheap, filling and healthy. Cans are pretty cheap, but the dried beans are even cheaper.

I think a vegetarian diet is way cheaper than an omni diet. Meat is so expensive. When you sub in beans for the meat, you have some left over money to buy more fresh veggies and fruit.

Grains like pasta and rice are also very cheap. If you have a whole foods store near you check the bulk bins for other grains like barley, bulgur, millet.

If you keep highly processed and sugary foods out of your house, an indulgence in almonds really won't be too bad.

[amywah]

Thanks guys. I do need to eat more beans and veggies for sure.

I have actually been trying to eat healthy for almost 2 months. But that included some meat. Now I want to get rid of the meat. I have already gotten rid of most processed foods, ALL artificial sweeteners, and junk foods.

I think I have to get better at planning because I walk into the kitchen hungry and just dont see anything that looks good so I grab the almonds and munch away.

[penguness]

Do you keep fresh fruits and vegetables around to snack on. If every couple of days you cut up some carrots, red peppers, etc, and then grab those to snack on instead of the nuts it might help. Go for the ones you like the most! I like red peppers with carrots and some hummus, and beets! (i <3 beets)

If you keep them allready cut up and around, they might be less overwhelming when you are looking for a quick and easy snack!

[cstadt]

It's easier for me if the vegetables are already chopped up and put into containers in the fridge. If they haven't beene washed or cut up by the time I snoop around the fridge it can turn out to be chips and salsa for me :( but atleast the salsa is organic

[jenni-anti-fur]

+1 on the beans. They are super cheap, filling and healthy. Cans are pretty cheap, but the dried beans are even cheaper.

I think a vegetarian diet is way cheaper than an omni diet. Meat is so expensive. When you sub in beans for the meat, you have some left over money to buy more fresh veggies and fruit.

Grains like pasta and rice are also very cheap. If you have a whole foods store near you check the bulk bins for other grains like barley, bulgur, millet.

If you keep highly processed and sugary foods out of your house, an indulgence in almonds really won't be too bad.


sooo agree about the beans...pasta...bulk and sales

[cftwo]

If you do a search for 100 calorie snacks, you'll get a lot of ideas which might get you started on limiting the snacks. If you start with 100 calories and then wait 20 minutes or a half hour, you might find yourself able to avoid the overindulging that you're worried about. Sometimes that 20-30 minutes is enough time for your brain to realize that you have eaten.

[SheThrowsDown]

Thanks guys. I do need to eat more beans and veggies for sure.

I have actually been trying to eat healthy for almost 2 months. But that included some meat. Now I want to get rid of the meat. I have already gotten rid of most processed foods, ALL artificial sweeteners, and junk foods.

I think I have to get better at planning because I walk into the kitchen hungry and just dont see anything that looks good so I grab the almonds and munch away.
I completely understand "I NEED FOOD NOW!" syndrome. My biggest suggestion is to find some good veg food that you like that is quick. Fruits, vegetables you enjoy raw, etc. Maybe cook a large batch of brown rice at once and then you can just heat up leftovers and eat that. keep some canned beans on hand that you can just microwave etc etc

[codemonkey]

beans and lentils are your friends. Also make friends with new foods like tofu and tvp (dirt cheap foods). Nuts are healthy but dangerous if you have a hard time controlling portion sizes. Use nuts as an ingredient, not as a snack by themselves. Avoid packaged foods and make as much stuff from scratch as you have time for. If you must by packaged food, read the ingredients. If any of them don't sound like food, put it back.

[Ritz]

Carrots and red pepper hummus are my best friends. Carrots have almost no calories and require a lot of chewing, so they're satisfying. The hummus makes them tasty without adding too many calories.

I also find having healthy cereal around that has bite size pieces is helpful. Try and find one that tastes good to you without milk. I like these oatmeal puff ones with cinnamon. I find them a pretty good substitute for things like almonds (which I tend to overindulge in too).

[Photojess]

I've been thinking this is kind of an expensive venture, but we are buying fresh produce and fruits every couple of days.....I really like beans, but need to find out what to do to them, or find more recipes!

[PTree15]

sooo agree about the beans...pasta...bulk and sales

Ditto. There are so many things you can make with beans, like veggie chili, burritos, bean burgers (black bean ones are delicious), dips and spreads such as hummus, casseroles, you name it. I've been trying to cut down on expenses, so I've been buying only the veggies and fruit that are on sale that week. It's making a difference.