So, the Dr. wants me to do low carb

But it is so difficult to do low carb when you are a vegetarian. I do not eat any meat, poultry or fish. Any suggestions? Rachelle

I think that means stay away from potatoes, pasta, white bread, crackers, sweets. Fill up your plate with veggies, tofu, beans, tvp, low fat cheese, yogurt...etc. Have you tried any protein shakes? Go girl. Go, go, go. xox Amy

TOFU TOFU TOFU........LisaMarie

I'd say it's time to see a nutritionist who has experience with vegitarians. What kind of veg. are you? What restrictions do you have? Vegan? Will you eat milk products and eggs? Whey protein? I'd say if you will eat eggs, milk, etc. That would be once source of protein for you. Protein shakes are also very good (btw you can get protein shakes made with soy). If you are preop, you can eat beans, and other legumes. They are kind of high in carbs though. Bocca burgers and other textured soy meats work good too. Your surgeon should have a nutritionist in his office, or at least one to which they can refer you. Scott PS If you haven't had surgery, you really might want to put some extra thought into which one you are going to have. It's very difficult in the beginning to get in the required number of grams of protein for anyone. Veggie protein while good, is not as dense as animal or animal by product proteins, and is much more diffcult to get in, and might give you difficulty in the first year (depending on which surgery you are going to have). It might make you heavily dependent on protein shakes for the rest of your life.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I love my tofu, that's for sure. I'm not vegan, I do eggs and dairy. I'd like to keep my veggie lifestyle as much as I can, but if the surgeon says I have to eat fish, I will. Rachelle

PP: Yeah preop the lo carb helps shrink the liver/ease/safen the surgery. postop many recommend it should be a way of life for optimal success w/ wt loss/health/using the tool. I agree Vegetarians need much more guidance to avoid protein deficiencies, and other vit/mineral def. But whey shakes are a great option as others have stated, Tofu glad u like it get creative!!! Eggs, cheese, nuts, dairy (*preop) are all good ideeas as well, beans in limited amounts, still have carbs and postop may give u too many toots! LOL Cottage cheese, yogurt (lo arb blue bunny at walmart or dannon makes one also) Look at the gardenburger, harvest, boca, morningstar farms line of TVP products some are lower in carb (such as morningstar farms veggie link sausages, I love these!) 'fake bacon, burger crumbles, chicken strips...watch the breaded ones is all!' Be well! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Thanks Jamie. I wasn't thinking about meat analogs...and I do like them. One of the products we are really into is Quorn. It's a chicken substitute and we love them. I'll have to check out the unbreaded varieties to see how much protein it has. Thanks for all the awesome ideas. Rachelle

hi Rachelle, Dennis bought me these tofu noodles to try the other day. I didnt try them b/c I know that I can't tolerate them right now but maybe you can find something like that? My son and Dennis ate them last night and he said they tasted exactly like pasta when he put some sauce and cheese on it, go figure! I have to say I love your surgeon, I have spoke with him a few times. I think he is very underrated which can be a good thing. Be well.

Thanks Tavia! I'll have to look for those tofu noodles next time I'm in Whole Foods. Dr. Fielding didn't do the seminar I went to, Dr. Ren did, but so far I like everything about him. I've read alot on him and I like the way they seem to treat their patients. Rachelle

Morningside Farms makes excellent veggie breakfast patties and bugers.They are loaded with protein, low carb and low fat. I think they are yummy. They're in the frozen food section. They are a little pricey but each packet comes with a coupon you can use for the next box. If you have a subscription to Sams Club, BJ's or other wholesale store you can get them cheaper in larger quanities. -Marianne C.