sirbenson

Thanks for typing all that out I generally eat clean in that I don't consume sugar, I don't slather my food with flavoured sauces, I don't eat a lot of convenience foods (save for tofu nuggets and such), I hardly drink booze (maybe 2 drinks a week, if that), no soda. I DO drink coffee though (black) and I feel like I eat a lot of carbs. I know the answer woudl be to reduce the amount I eat but it doesn't make sense to me as to how to do it. Most of what I eat is a carb (fruits, veggies, quinoa, granola, beans, dried fruit, etc.). Between meals and snacks I must eat at least 6-8 times a day. I have to keep a more recent food diary but I'd guess I eat on average 2000 calories a day. I'm always hungry and I feel like I'm always eating. In terms of IF, its not for me. I can't wake up in the morning and not eat. I don't function well on an empty stomach and I get spacey and homicidal, lol. As for vitamins and minerals, I have osteoporosis, a vitamin d deficiency and my iron and B12 are borderline to being too low. I take supplements for all those. Why do you say you are weak or low on strength? Is it because body builders train for size/hypertrophy but not at all for strength?

Thanks for the additional info! I am female, 32, 5 foot 8 and 135lbs. I'd estimate by body fat around 20%. I'd be happier at a lean 145lbs. I'm not sure how many carbs I currently eat but I'd estimate they make up about 70% of my diet. As for eating so much tofu....is that much soy product really that good for women? Especially a woman who takes birth control pills?

Those numbers sound pretty good! How do you do it??

I'm pretty sure that the answer to my question is that it's NOT possible but I'll give it a shot...... I'm wondering how exactly it is possible to eat a diet that is high in protein (I try to go for 100g a day or more), highish in fat (say 20-30% cals from fat), and lowish in carbs. The reasons why I'm interested in going lower carbs are: -If I'm eating carbs, I'm not eating protein or fat (well, I know that beans have both but they're much higher in carbs that protein) -carbs don't keep me full! Two hours later and I'm starving again -I can't seem to get more cut with the amount of carbs I eat (right now I'd estimate about 70% of my cals--or more--come from carbs) I'm frustrated because I'm at the point where if I want to take it to the next level (increase strength, hypertrophy, get leaner), I'm going to have to eat more protein and less carbs. But I can't draft up a diet plan that achieves that. Carbs always turn out to be the easiest choice!!!! I read the profiles of the body builders/fitness models on the main pages and I just can't believe that they get to that aesthetic with a vegan diet! I can't see the light right now, can't see how its possible. I'm at the point where I'm ready to buy a meal plan from someone who can come up with one that will help me achieve my goals. But all the coaches/experts I've asked aren't familiar with a diet for a vegan/vegetarian (I'm the latter). I know what my options are for protein, its not a new concept for me. But I started lifting heavy two years ago and I just can't seem to progress/get beyond my plateau with the current way I eat. It seems all I do is eat carbs! Any advice on how to go about drafting up an eating plan that will give me lots of protein and fat and little carbs? Thanks!

Hello, Just joined after lurking for a while.... I'm actually not a vegan any more. I was a vegan for about 15 years and then a few years ago decided to resume eating dairy. I lift heavy but my diet is holding my back from achieving my goals so I'm here for some advice