trying2bvegan

i eat plenty o' nuts/legumes, most of which are locally grown. i was thinking more along the lines of protein powders, however....

Emphasis on cheapest VEGA is way outta range for me. Ideally environmentally responsible companies please! Thanks everybody.

Hey All, I'd really love to be able to afford VEGA. I really would. For those of you who aren't familiar with it (probably everyone already is) check out www.myvega.com. But given that it is so darn expensive (I'd easily blow through the large, $60+ tub of 15 servings in a week or two)...I'm venturing to create my own concoction from cheaper, bulk sources of organic plant proteins. This is where I need everyone's advise, both on ingredients and vendors! Sidenote: I'm a 24yo guy, skinny, hardgainer. No need for low carbs for me! I'm aiming for between 30-40g of protein per drink ideally. So whattaya all think: Hemp? Soy? Rice? Peas? Combos? I'm shooting for a "flat line" amino acid profile as I want to make sure I am getting all the right building blocks. I'd also like to have the right ratio/amount of Omega 3's/6's....whatever that ratio is! According to Brendan Brazier (www.brendanbrazier.com and creator of VEGA), hemp is a complete protein by itself but is relatively low in the amino acid tryptophan - hence it pairs nicely with rice protein which is high in tryptophan. That's about all the knowledge I have. So what do you think everybody? Any recipes you've all found to make the most biological and economic sense? I look forward to hearing and learning from you! -newbie to veganism

Well sadly Bruce I wasn't vegan until about this week, haha, but I'm committed now. Here's what I ate, pardon the non-vegan grossness...believe me I'm ashamed : 7am: 3 eggs, 2 egg whites 1/2 pepper 4 large mushrooms 1/2 tomato 1 cup spinach 1 slice 12-grain toast 10am: 1/2c almonds 1/2c walnuts 1/2c raisins 1-2T sunflower kernels 1 banana 1/2c plain greek yogurt (gross) 12pm: 1c brown rice 1-2c vegetarian chili (variety of beans, veggies, etc) 2:30pm: turkey sandwich - 2 slices bread, 0.25lb turkey, 1T hummus, 1/2 cucumber, 1/3 tomato 4:30pm: repeat of 10am meal, usually with different fruit 5:30-6:45ish --> kicking my ass in the gym 7:00pm: Myoplex Original Shake (essentially whey/milk/soy protein isolates; 42g protein, 22g carbs, 4.5g fat) 9:00pm: 1c+ brown rice lots of steamed vegetables 1/2 block tofu OR 1/2 thinger of tempeh and of course lots of water throughout, occasionally some soymilk. From calculations I've done (who knows how accurate the standard methodology is), I need to be around 3500cals or more for my activity level. I'd imagine I'd need at least if not substantially more to grow. Unfortunately I haven't figured out what the above diet breaks down to in terms of grams/cals of protein, carbs, and fat. But the idea is I want to rid many of the above items from my diet and start anew

robert (or anyone?) would you be able to suggest a macronutrient ratio for an uber-ectomorph like myself to pack on the muscle? as a refresher i'm a 6'1" 24yo male, 180 lbs (up from 168) with a metabolism of a hummingbird on speed. i've been working diligently 6 days/wk since Dec 2008 and have only managed to put on about 12 pounds of muscle. i'm concerned i'm plateauing in weight, despite seeing significant strength gains in a couple months. frankly i'm surprised even at the 12 pound weight gain, but i'd like to gain 20 more, even if it takes me a year or more to get there. i've been making sure to eat a lot (6-7x/day) but beyond making sure to get an ample amount of protein and lots of fruit/veggies i haven't really been keeping an eye on ratios or anything. any recommendations on cals/macronutrient ratios/diet would be greatly appreciated!!! thanks and be well everybody!

thanks ruz. i saw that user's signature earlier today and it made me laugh. it's probably true for most self-proclaimed "hardgainers." i'm not saying its not also true for me, but i'm about as methodical as one can get when it comes to tracking my progress and goals, both with regards to food intake and in the gym. i'm extremely happy with my strength gains in the gym - if you're curious as at all i've been using Eric Cressey's Maximum Strength program, a 16-week program that is all about varying exercises and intensities so as to constantly keep your body adapting. perhaps at the end of my program i'll check out Doggcrapp...i'm always up for something new. the main reason for my post though was to get a sense of what TRUE "hardgainers" (i.e., those that have actually put in a solid year or more of 4-6/day a week dedication into the gym and been methodical about it) have consumed to fuel substantial muscle growth. i have been doing exactly that since January 1 and have only managed to put on 12 pounds of muscle and am concerned i'm plateauing at a weight of 180. would any knowledgeable, true hardgainer folks out there be able to recommend a macronutrient ratio for a fellow uber-ectomorph? i'm all about dedication and tracking...i just need to put the right type/amount of (vegan) fuel in my body to get me there...

Hey All, My name is Steve and I'm a total newb to the world of veganism, and this forum. My sisters and mother have been vegan for about 8-10yrs (before people could pronounce vegan correctly - most still can't, ha!) so I've thankfully been exposed to all sorts of vegan recipes/philosophy/etc and am convinced it is the healthiest way to live, both for ourselves and for our planet. I'm taking the dive. In the last year, I've committed myself in a big way to being healthier. Quit cigarettes and have been going to the gym 6 days a week (sounds intense but I make sure not to overdo it). I am 6'1" 24yo male, 180lbs with around 10-12% body fat. This is the heaviest and strongest I've ever been, but I still look like a string bean. I'd really like to tip the scales at 200lbs, with my gains being in lean muscle mass. The problem is, I have an INSANELY fast metabolism. I eat every 2-3 hours, which equates to 7 times a day. Its very difficult for me to put on muscle mass - the definition of a "hardgainer." Can any fellow vegan "hardgainers" out there give me some advice on how to bulk up with a vegan diet?! For example, what macronutrient ratios did you consume to help you bulk up? What food items helped you get there? I'd love to hear all of your stories. Looking forward to a life of veganism and transforming myself from a string bean to a...umm...fava bean? Thanks everybody, Steve

Hey all, My whole family is vegan. I'm the one holdout. I'm now overly convinced on many grounds that veganism is the way to go. In the gym...I'm the definition of a hardgainer. 6'2" and 180lbs (previously 168, got to 180 after 6 months of eating every 2 hours haha), around 10-12% body fat. How can I provide myself with the right vegan nutrition (calories, macronutrient ratios) to gain muscle?? My long-term goal is to get up to 200lbs. I'm a real beginner at this. Any help fellow hardgainers can provide would be IMMENSELY appreciated. Thanks so much!