Vegan Training & Energy for the Rest of the Day

Maybe this is for another thread, but I just don't understand the whole vegan thing.  Maybe the reason you're having so many issues is because our bodies weren't meant to eat like this.  We processes meat and animal products for a reason, and have done so for 1000's of years.

On your question, would soy protein powder drink every morning work? 

Thanks!  That is most helpful Erin!

Bradword, thank you for your gentle approach.  That's one thing I love about BT.  Folks are very tactful and careful with each other.  You make good points.  I'm not interested in discussing the why, but well stated. 

I'm not going to hijack this thread by starting a debate on the "our bodies were meant to eat meat" argument.  There's better people than me to argue that point.  But I disagree.

As far as not having enough energy to train on a vegan diet, or gaining weight on a vegan diet, the same approach works as if you were a meat eater....Calories in, Calories out.  Personally I have as much if not more energy now that I'm vegan/vegetarian than I did in my meat eating days.  As long as you eat a balance of healthy foods (meat not included) you should be fine.  Often times people new to a vegetarian diet restrict themselves too much, forgetting all of the food possibilities out there that are non-meat.  Grain is only a small portion of the foods you should be eating.  Vegetables and fruits should make up the vast majority of your diet.  Protein consumption is not an issue if you eat a broad variety of foods.

Best of luck. 

I am an vegetarian who eats little dairy and only fake eggs. I drink a lot of soy milk and really focus on the complex carbs/protein combos. I eat lots of brown rice and beans of all types, tofu by the case it seems, and I eat a fresh spinach salad with nuts and dried fruit 2x/day.  I really have to focus on getting enough QUALITY foods to feel as if I am feeding my body. I do eat the fake egg product once a day as well, but that doesn't help a vegan.

To sum up my suggestions:  Breakfast:  tofu scramble or fake eggs, fruit, Optimum Slim or Power cereal, and soy milk.

Lunch: Spinach salad with dried fruit, Pecans, walnuts, or almonds, and veggies(I like mine with gorgonzola cheese, too...my weakness), plus brown rice and black beans, or sauteed tofu and rice, or Amy's frozen vegan or vegetarian meal.

 Snack:  Soy milk and another protein and carb.

Dinner:  The spinach salad again plus one of these entree's- chinese food with tofu and brown rice, taco's with soy crumbles and black beans and all the fixin's, tofu lasagna, Chickpea Pasta, Stuffed mushrooms, etc.  ( I have lots of great recipes)

The most important thing is to eat those complex carbs and to make every calorie count, with the occassional treat of course.

I hope that helps!

Melanie 

THANK YOU GUYS!!!!!! 

You know, I think I figured out the problem -- too many grains.  Grains are a comfort food for me, so I eat way too much.  I was not getting the fruits and veggies that I needed.

VeganMan, I get plenty o' B12, but iron is something I need to focus on. 

I'm looking at trying this without grains -- completely.  Just lots of seeds, nuts and soy for protein.  That's what I did yesterday and feel much better today.  It'll take some time to see. 

Ha!  Lemme tell ya', my body is very sensitive to food -- not allergic sensitive but just ... food can slooooooooooooow me down like nothing else. 

Say, you wouldn't be the VeganMike made famous in the cook book Vegan With A Vengeance, would you?

EDIT:  Oh, you're Vegan MAN not Vegan Mike.  Sorry, well I'm sure you're famous anyway.