I saw Kaye posted this on another thread: "As a note of interest we are working on a vegetarian plan, vegan plan and a lacto-ovo vegetarian plan. It has only recently come to my attention that many WLS'ers practice some level of vegetarian eating."

Does anyone on here have experience with vegetarianism post wls?

I am so ready

Actually Sandi, I come pretty darned close. I nearly live on whey products
and vegetables. Tofu is great stuff... I truly love it..
I do eat eggs and cheese, beans and lentils. I have an ocassional
bowl of chili or whatever but veggie chili is AOK by me...
Not much of a stretch!

I consider myself a vegetarian (for the most part.) I don't eat any red meat or fish. On rare occasion I will eat chicken or turkey if it means I would otherwise go without. There are different types of vegetarians and I'm obviously not vegan! I didn't eat much meat prior to WLS and afterwards had a very difficult time with it. I'm 8 years post op and eat eggs, cheese and lots of legumes, etc.
Bev

Yeah, me too Mickee! I live on whey and tofu, but I've had lots of trouble with beans...I'll draw the curtain discreetly over that little tableau!

I was vegetarian for about the first 10 years of my marriage. When I came back from college, the guys had all gone carnivore on me! YIKES... Then after the surgery, I just figured, well, that's a done deal! Maybe not, huh?

Hello Neighbors!

It has truly surprised me the different levels of vegetarians we have living after WLS. Here is a link to vegetarian terms and recipes:

5 Day Pouch Test Vegetarian Soups - Days 1 and 2

Here is a recipe for Lentil Burgers. I have tested it once. Served it on a bun for DH, but simply enjoyed the burger w/out bun for myself. The density seems to work for Day 4 (firm proteins) of the 5DPT, but I think it could fit in to any day of healthy living after wls. If you give it a try let me know thumbs up or thumbs down. THANKS! note: You need to make the burgers early in the day, allow to chill before cooking. I personally think this is a Yumm-O breakfast w/out bun and has some great staying power keeping the hunger bug at bay until lunchtime. I tried it broken over lettuce for a salad, but that turned out to be too much of a good thing for me --- quite gassy!

Lentil Burgers

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 small onion, minced
1/4 cup almonds
1 large carrot, chopped into 1" pieces
1 8-ounce container sliced mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 15-ounce can cooked lentils, drained and rinsed (approximately 1 1 /2 cups cooked lentils)
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon kosher salt
8 multi-grain hamburger buns
Garnish: tomato, greens and red onion

Directions:
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until soft and translucent, approximate 5 minutes.

While onions cook, process almonds in a food processor until finely ground. Add to bowl.

Process carrot pieces until finely chopped and add to skillet with onions. Cook 2 or 3 minutes with onions. Place onions and carrots in a large mixing bowl with the almonds. Process the mushrooms until finely chopped and add thyme to the skillet as they cook. Add to the onions and carrots. Add lentils, rice, flaxseed, parsley and salt to the bowl. Using a wooden spoon or your hands mix the ingredients thoroughly. Divide into 8 equal portions and shape into patties. Wrap each patty in plastic cling. Chill for at least 2 hours.

When ready to cook burgers heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, adjusting heat as needed.

1 patty w/bun: 266 calories, 10 grams protein, 38 grams carb, 8 grams dietary fiber and 9 grams fat (1 saturated).


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Any other vegetarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian or vegan recipes would be appreciated. Submit to me or Celadon, our LivingAfterWLS food editor.

Thanks!
K.

This morning, I posted an explaination in the Community Kitchen about vegetarianism and related eating plans. It is full of links for more specific information about each WOE. Here is the link:

An Explaination about Vegetarians

Thanks Kaye.. Two great resources are
The Vegitarian Epicure Vol. 1-4 and
the Moosewood Cookbooks.
The two BIGgest vegan cookbooks now are...
Skinny b**ch in the Kitch (these are the #1 & 2 sellers on Amazon)
followed by
Veginomicon
Both are available through Amazon & eBAY... I own both.

Guess I should have said POST WLS more forcefully! I've had decades of experience being a vegetarian, but not as someone with significantly less intestine. You can't just throw beans, peas, legumes in your little gut and hope for the best.

What I'm asking is: does anyone on this board have experience living post operatively, successfully as a vegetarian? I appreciate the rush to thoroughly define vegetarianism and lay down some recipes, but I'm hoping that someone out there can give me some practical anecdotal evidence that it is possible to live this way without health problems.

Anyone?

Sandi,
I'm post WLS and eat a lot of beans. Some days I have rumblings and others I don't. I'm trying to remember... but I think there were some uncomfortable days in the beginning as my body got used to it. However, because I'm not vegan I don't think the effects were as drastic (if you know what I mean). I do have some favorite recipes that I make on a regular basis that my meat eating family enjoy with me and they don't think about them as being one of Mom's dreaded vegetarian concoctions. Both of my kids love hummous and I eat it at least once a week. I've eaten it with cucumbers - which from a gassy point of view is probably the worst thing I could have chosen, but I just eat a tiny bit of cucumber and mainly the hummous with pita bread. I don't eat much of the bread as it is too filling, but it is what makes it a complete protein.

Are there specific types of things you are wondering about?

One of the other women who did the 5 Day with me last week is also a vegetarian. She is lacto-ovo I think. Maybe she has more things to add... Barb are you there?

Bev

Kaye,
Looks yummy. I'll try them later this week and report what our household's response is to this recipe. Thanks! When I get myself organized and put some of my recipes into Master Cook, to check on nutrition info, I'll let you or Celadon know if I have some shareable recipes.

Bev

Yes, thank you Bev T. I appreciate your comments. You are lucky that you've been able to tolerate beans. That makes it a lot more likely that you're doing a good job of getting your protein in.

best wishes

I am orginally from Wisconsin - the land of cows! I haven't been able to tolerate a piece of beef since 1984 post op. Pork is out of the question too. Milk and ice cream - don't even talk about it. This dairy girl had a complete turn around. Way back then, no one even mentioned protein powder so I have done without.

I now eat a lot of fish and love it. Cheese, eggs, tofu, yogurt (can't figure that one out) cottage cheese and beans.

Now that I am in the SWest my favorites are Shrimp tacos.

I have turned semi-vegitarian, not by choice, but by surgery.

Thanks Paula! I love shrimp tacos too! I mostly just put the fillings in a bowl and skip the tortilla these days, but yeah, the shrimp is good eats!

I think that this must be a very "do able" lifestyle.

Thanks everyone for your insights!

great topic

I am so glad to find this forum and just the topic ive been searching for. My doctor says get more vegetables in your diet.. WHO ME!! Im an out of the can oldie... So im trying to learn to cook fresh vegetables and searching ideas on doing the healthy choice way.. thank you.. linda

I think I'm headed there. I just came from the bathroom, where Lucille tossed up my one bite of chicken, one small shrimp, oz of fish and 3-4 green beans (buffet for lunch). I guess I am able to vomit! Cottage cheese is becoming my staple post op.

Wanted to add that my nutritionist told me about Morning Star Veggie Sausage & Burgers, in case anyone is interested. I haven't tried them, but may have to if this aversion to meats & fish continues.