Veganism might not be for me.

[Fallen_Horse]

Yes good article. Also, 2500 calories of junk IS calorically equal to 2500 cals of clean food. As far as body fat goes, 2500cals is 2500cals...

[oselifer]

Yes good article. Also, 2500 calories of junk IS calorically equal to 2500 cals of clean food. As far as body fat goes, 2500cals is 2500cals...

 

I don't agree..There are many reasons that junk food can make you fat with less calories..

 

1)Hormones. Meat ,milk and animal products have hormones,from the animal itself and from its diet to grow faster..These hormones makes humans fatter...

2)Fats in junk food are hyrdogonated which makes it harder for the body to turn in to energy so it stores it as fat..

3)Junk food has too much sugar which makes more insulin to be excreted so again fat is stored in the body..

4)Meat and junk food can make digestion bad and as a result water and toxins build up in the colon and in many parts of the body and the result is becoming fatter..

[chrisjs]

Yes good article. Also, 2500 calories of junk IS calorically equal to 2500 cals of clean food. As far as body fat goes, 2500cals is 2500cals...

"Calorically equal"? I guess you just chug canola oil post workout? Calories are the same BY DEFINITION but they don't have the same effect on body fat, metabolism, muscle repair, etc.

[offense74]

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/meal-frequency-and-energy-balance-research-review.html

You da man Zack! Thanks for posting!

[xjohanx]

Yeah Lyle Mcdonald has great articles regarding the whole calorie debate (metabolic advantage etc). His site is awesome, too bad his books isn't sold in Sweden.

[Alejandro The Vegan]

I gotta admit. I've slacked for 3 weeks. I've only been to the gym 6 or 7 times and did half ass work outs. and I had a few beers one of those weekends. I've gone back to the gym this week, and picking up speed again. I'm gonna order the powder stuff from the website, Today my neighbor told me I looked too skinny and it pissed me off! That's it!!!! I'm gonna gain the muscle and weight.

[Odidnetne]

I never understood the calorie theory...If someone is not hungry to eat 4000cals why should he eat that much?

Why hunger isn't enough to inform us how much food we need?

 

Do you think bears count calories when they want to bulk for the winter?

 

And how almost every non vegan in our society is fat?Fat people i know do not consume so many calories...

They usually take maximum 2500..And they only have one main meal...

Why do they gain weight?

 

Because hunger is triggered by your body seeking nutrients. People who are overweight usually have a diet consisting of food of little nutritional value, which is why things like Chinese food have so many calories, but you're hungry again in an hour.

[Odidnetne]

A good food to throw in the mix for you would be any kind of hot cereal also. They're cheap, easy to prepare, and are really satisfying.

[shawn]

This is a good thread, because I feel the situation here for sure, as Im going through similiar, mainly with feeling satisfied with my meals. I have excepted the weight loss from cleaning up my diet, as the days of being young and buff are not a priority for me these days.

 

My honest experience, when i ate my former diet, it was cheaper for sure (average 7 bucks a day some years ago as prices have went up), and it was wayy more convenient for sure. Average day... foreman grill a beef patty in 4 minutes one or 2 times day with couple quick microed red potatoes, protein drinks with milk&eggs some fruit and PB, cottage cheese with can tuna, some whole grain toast and a quick salad once in awhile in an average days menu.

 

Ok, it wasnt the healthiest diet out there, but it worked for me, gaining good muscle weight for sure. I was training hard, and i never spent anytime in the kitchen, which i didnt want to do, maybe 15 to 20 minutes a day, max. and I was completely satisfied in my tummy most of the time , when i wasnt eating pizza or chinese, shhhhhhh

 

Now...fast forward abit, produce in California (especially L.A.) is expensive, as now I eat alot of it now! Stuff I never ate before, which I wish i did! Organic red peppers, romaine, tomatoes, avocados etc, i buy it all the time ,and my food bill is at least double for sure. I really have to eat alot olive oil heavy foods to be satisfied with alot of my main meals, mass amounts of beans (which thank God my GF can tolerate for now, errrr) in a homemade bean soup or chili. I spend at least 2 hours a day in the kitchen preparing the meals now, with all the chopping, washing, peeling, cooking brown rice, trying to make something that taste good and Vegan, and healthy always. Im no Chef Boy-r-Dee, even though my GF loves my cooking, why, lol?

 

Anyway, I feel the situation here, and dont want to come off negative for sure here. But now, as you know, I still eat dairy and eggs, for there convenience, and for there taste too. I lose alot weight when I cut them out completely, even after 2 weeks its like I shrivel. I am sure I can do it with strictly Vegan foods, but it would take hell alot discipline, and getting used to being satisfied with those foods all the time. I understand the dilemna here, and its a big one, especially for the young guys who are busy, and just wanna..BE BIG!

 

Mannnn..its a tough road for sure, especially being a Vegan! Props to you guys, and gals, who wanna be ripped...and BIG!

[juced_porkchop]

I can't speak for everyone else, but even when I was eating a ton of food (cutting back now) I wasn't spending 20 bucks a day. Not even close. And I never lost a huge amount of weight from going vegan.

 

Tell us what you are eating. If you are losing weight you simply aren't eating enough. It has nothing to do with being vegan or being a meatitarian. Not enough calories go in, weight goes down. Simple. Processed foods will always cost you more. I buy huge bags of brown rice from asian grocers and it ends up costing me a dollar or two per kilo. I buy most or all of my vegetables frozen and buy in season fruits. I eat simple, not a whole lot, but if I increased what I ate it would only cost me about 50 cents a day or a little more.

 

Also, gaining solid mass takes time. It won't happen overnight or even in a few months. Hell, look at Ryan. His size is a result of years of work. Progressive gains over time. Learn to see those gains and accept that more will come, and you will reach your goals.

 

 

I'd like to see how you're training as well. I'm not sure if you have a blog or not, but it would be interesting and help us comment more on your current concerns and issues.

 

 

Veganism is like anything else. Approached rationally and with dedication it's sustainable, healthy, and condusive to a strong, lean powerful body. It can also hurt you if you approach it the wrong way. Same goes for a lot of things.

 

Ok, good stuff. I'll give you an example of a typical day.

 

Morning:

 

Peanut butter and blueberry jelly sandwichs

1 pear

8oz of The Ultimate Meal (w/banana and half an apple)

 

Midday snack:

Organic Foodbar or Cliff Bar

almonds/dry cranberries

 

Lunch:

Baby Spinach & Avocado salad with tomatoes.

short grain brown rice, black beans with somoe multi grain tortillas

and some grilled tofu or tempeh.

 

I work out around 5 or 6 right after that:

 

brown rice protein shake with mangoes and apples

a soy cheese quesadilla with some sauteed broccoli, mushrooms over some quinoa or brown rice.

 

WOW thats IT?!?

x that by 2-4x maybe you will gain.

also read up on CALORIE DENSE foods.

blend up your protien powder (50-60g) with soy or rice milk,1banana,handfull frozen berrys, AND 4tbs of penut butter.and blend just the penutbutter is about 400cals.

have 2 of thos a day added to your diet and snack on wom walnuts as a snack before bed and you should be ok to go.

also bananas are cheap and so is penutbutter. I LOVE penutbutter beacuse its VERY calorie dense and cheap, has protein and has alot of good fats.

 

one of these smoothies probily has the same amount of calories and protien you are taking in the WHOLE day.

 

vegan/vegitarian isnt your issue diet is.

give it a go with higher cals maybe 2 smoothing a day like i posted above.

also on a working out note; i only work out 3-4times a week for no more then a 1hr per workout and only work out 1-2body parts per work out and dont hit that bodypart agein till the next week to give it time to heal and grow.

 

if your working out your body parts over and over each day your nto going to go anywhere.

also look up "muscle confusion" as doing the same workout over and over and also not upping the lbs your using will also make you go nowhere.

 

 

hope that helps you a bit.

[shawn]

This is a good thread, because I feel the situation here for sure, as Im going through similiar, mainly with feeling satisfied with my meals. I have excepted the weight loss from cleaning up my diet, as the days of being young and buff are not a priority for me these days.

 

My honest experience, when i ate my former diet, it was cheaper for sure (average 7 bucks a day some years ago as prices have went up), and it was wayy more convenient for sure. Average day... foreman grill a beef patty in 4 minutes one or 2 times day with couple quick microed red potatoes, protein drinks with milk&eggs some fruit and PB, cottage cheese with can tuna, some whole grain toast and a quick salad once in awhile in an average days menu.

 

Ok, it wasnt the healthiest diet out there, but it worked for me, gaining good muscle weight for sure. I was training hard, and i never spent anytime in the kitchen, which i didnt want to do, maybe 15 to 20 minutes a day, max. and I was completely satisfied in my tummy most of the time , when i wasnt eating pizza or chinese, shhhhhhh

 

Now...fast forward abit, produce in California (especially L.A.) is expensive, as now I eat alot of it now! Stuff I never ate before, which I wish i did! Organic red peppers, romaine, tomatoes, avocados etc, i buy it all the time ,and my food bill is at least double for sure. I really have to eat alot olive oil heavy foods to be satisfied with alot of my main meals, mass amounts of beans (which thank God my GF can tolerate for now, errrr) in a homemade bean soup or chili. I spend at least 2 hours a day in the kitchen preparing the meals now, with all the chopping, washing, peeling, cooking brown rice, trying to make something that taste good and Vegan, and healthy always. Im no Chef Boy-r-Dee, even though my GF loves my cooking, why, lol?

 

Anyway, I feel the situation here, and dont want to come off negative for sure here. But now, as you know, I still eat dairy and eggs, for there convenience, and for there taste too. I lose alot weight when I cut them out completely, even after 2 weeks its like I shrivel. I am sure I can do it with strictly Vegan foods, but it would take hell alot discipline, and getting used to being satisfied with those foods all the time. I understand the dilemna here, and its a big one, especially for the young guys who are busy, and just wanna..BE BIG!

 

Mannnn..its a tough road for sure, especially being a Vegan! Props to you guys, and gals, who wanna be ripped...and BIG!

 

After reviewing my post (which im gonna quote), I hope it doesnt sound negative. Last thing I want to do is sound pro-meat, cause I am surely not. Im just honestly relating my real experience with this, with it all. Im here to learn, and respect the "Vegan Way" for sure, as It must be closer to God in my handbook to eat grains rather than animals, which im tryin to get to these days.

 

But, I feel the struggle of the "skinny syndrome", for a young guy especially, it can be the worst enemy for someone training. I wish I knew what I knew now though, and just worked out only for myself back then, whether I was 250 pounds or 150 pounds, as long as health, ethics, and happiness took first priority in my training... It would have been alright, no matter how much I could curl, squat or the shirt sizes I wanted to increase.

 

Bless Always to A More Happy Peaceful Way of Life

[RawVgn]

Man, load up on some fresh fruit too. I sometimes eat 10-15 bananas a day. And now that its watermelon season, everyday, half a big watermelon into the blender and drink a quart of it down. I live on fruit and green veggies and spend less than 5 bucks a day in season (melon and bananas are cheap.) Haven't had so much as a stomach ache, headache, or fever in years-and I'm 48! At 6-1 160 I'm definitely not BIG but plenty strong enough for what I do. Historically I don't take supplements except B12, though recently I've begun experimenting with creatine. Put on 4 lbs in the past few weeks with it-don't know if its water but it looks pretty good.

 

Maybe you should experiment with High Intensity lifting: cut your training down to say 3 30 minute super all out sessions a week. Might burn fewer calories and give your body more recovery time, and allow you to focus on goin as heavy as you can.

[Im Your Man]

Prices for vegetables went up 12% this year and more than this last year. The cost for fruits increase 22% in 2009 and also went up during the last few years. Grains are also more expensive due to Ethanol frenzy made of corn and other grains. Meat and dairy is 6% more expensive than last year.

But it is still possible to eat lots of food without spending all your money. It depends what and where you buy. I frequently visit my 3-4 health food stores, like 3 or 4 times per week, to buy the cheapest things they have in sale.

It is not cheaper or easier to gain weight on an omnivore diet. Milk is 88% water. Meat is mostly protein, which is low calorie. And it is expensive, more than tofu. Cheese is expensive too. The most important nutrient to gain mass is carb/sugar/energy.

 

I get more than a pound of dates for less than 5$. Other foods that are not expensive and good to gain weight: bananas, rice, pastas, bread, beans, dry beans, etc. These things are actually less expensive than junk food that look cheap like chips, chocolate and cookies, not to mention you get a better health and spend less money for doctors and pills.

[Lean and Green]

Hey Alejandro,

 

I read through this whole thread. Man... you got this brother. Stick with it. You have tons of solid advice. You have my contact info; don't order through the site, speak to me and i'll work it out.

 

I have anotherr product that I haven't advertised that would serve you well. 'Aktivated Barley' and I have it in BULK > so it will be alot cheaper that way for purchase at the quantity you want. It's pre-sprouted barley. SunWarrior carries it. I get it in big drums like I do my spirulina so I can pass on a better price to you. You can mix it in your shakes and it's an excellent source of cals and very high quality carbs.

 

Anyhow, always buy BULK bags of grains and ask for discounts. Like Organic Mung Beans are $1.89 per lb at my local organic shop but I buy a 25lb bag and they hook it up for $1.29 per lb. You go through it quicker than you'd expect and you aren't afraid to take more in b/c you have plenty of it and for a good price.

 

I'm here for ya brother....

[Alejandro The Vegan]

Man, load up on some fresh fruit too. I sometimes eat 10-15 bananas a day. And now that its watermelon season, everyday, half a big watermelon into the blender and drink a quart of it down. I live on fruit and green veggies and spend less than 5 bucks a day in season (melon and bananas are cheap.) Haven't had so much as a stomach ache, headache, or fever in years-and I'm 48! At 6-1 160 I'm definitely not BIG but plenty strong enough for what I do. Historically I don't take supplements except B12, though recently I've begun experimenting with creatine. Put on 4 lbs in the past few weeks with it-don't know if its water but it looks pretty good.

 

Maybe you should experiment with High Intensity lifting: cut your training down to say 3 30 minute super all out sessions a week. Might burn fewer calories and give your body more recovery time, and allow you to focus on goin as heavy as you can.

 

That exactly what I'm doing. My last 3 work outs were 30 mins to 40 mins and I did more weight than I usually do and less reps 8 to 10. As opposed of before doing 15 to 20 reps 4 sets. I'm also not running every work out. Every time I go to the gym I run 1-2 miles. I'm cutting that down to twice a week.

 

I'm also eating a lot. Let's see how this goes 33 days to go! My goal is 10lbs in 35 days.

[Alejandro The Vegan]

Hey Alejandro,

 

I read through this whole thread. Man... you got this brother. Stick with it. You have tons of solid advice. You have my contact info; don't order through the site, speak to me and i'll work it out.

 

I have anotherr product that I haven't advertised that would serve you well. 'Aktivated Barley' and I have it in BULK > so it will be alot cheaper that way for purchase at the quantity you want. It's pre-sprouted barley. SunWarrior carries it. I get it in big drums like I do my spirulina so I can pass on a better price to you. You can mix it in your shakes and it's an excellent source of cals and very high quality carbs.

 

Anyhow, always buy BULK bags of grains and ask for discounts. Like Organic Mung Beans are $1.89 per lb at my local organic shop but I buy a 25lb bag and they hook it up for $1.29 per lb. You go through it quicker than you'd expect and you aren't afraid to take more in b/c you have plenty of it and for a good price.

 

I'm here for ya brother....

 

thanks! I'm gonna call you on monday Giacomo!

[Lean and Green]

[RawVgn]

Why the cardio man? Sounds like your already ripped. Might wanna think about conserving the energy unless you need high cardio for a sport or something (burns to many calories and breaks ya down...rest, rest,rest...let them muscles grow.) Cardio is for endurance athletes and people who eat excess fats and gotta burn em off. If you ain't in one of those categories anymore, your probably better off layin off the cardio almost completely. Muscles don't grow during workouts, they grow during R&R! And the additional energy and muscle recuperation you have from not running, you can ratchet up your lifting intensity another notch-but not the frequency. As you get fitter and stronger, you can shred your muscles faster but they take just as long or longer to recuperate. This means you MUST reduce your frequency and duration as your fitness increases. If you gotta exercise everyday, add some low intensity work like gentle stretching or yoga.

 

And eat tons of fresh fruit. It is by far the best food you can eat. Simple carbs convert almost immediately to energy, which is why marathoners eat dates and oranges and so on. Fruit is also loaded with phytochemicals, antioxidants, soluble(gentle)fiber, vitamins, and naturally filtered clean water and it leaves almost no metabolic residue to toxify your body. And don't eat it like people on regular diets eat it. When raw vegans eat fruit, we eat entire cantalopes at a sitting or 8 bananas or 2 quarts of watermelon. Eat fruit as an entire meal, in quantity, until your full. And if your feelin empty a few hours later, do it again! When your eating truly WHOLE food, you gotta eat a lot more of it to get your calories-cause it ain't loaded with sugar and fat. So it's a mindset change.