Guess I'm a bit of the minority on Alli as I have not found anyone so far who is vegetarian.  The standard thought is that being Vegetarian means you "Eat lots of veggies", so it must be easier, well not the case here! I do not eat meat (do eat eggs, drink FF Milk, and use 0 fat/0 cal butter spray- I'm not a vegan).  I've worked very hard for the 3-weeks I've been on Alli including working out 4-5 days a week. I'm proud to say I've lost 19lbs. as of my last check-in 7/20/08.

But as I've have tried to scale the meal plans on Alli to not include meat and try to substitute it with "Morning Star" vegetarian "like meat" it's a "Vegetable Textured Protein," I was wondering if my substitutions are OK, and if there maybe some guidelines for my substitutions as I am trying to stay healthy while trying to lose weight, and stay within the guidelines as noted on the Alli plan.  I have begun searching other vegetarian websites for meal ideas but not always are they falling within the calorie/fat guidelines so I also scale, substitue, and minimize to adjust.

Any ideas or guidance is helpful.

Thank you,

Misty J.

Welcome to alli.  It's fine to make your own menu plans, and using the Sample Menus as a guide is a nice way to distribute your calories and fat throughout the day to be sure you're getting a variety of healthy foods + the proper calories and fat for your level.

There are actually quite a few vegetarians on alli.  Though we don't have specific menus for vegetarians (or diabetics, or gluten intolerant, etc.) you can "de-select" the items you don't eat, and you can also plug in the vegetarians items (on your own) that you generally have in place of meat and eggs.

The framework for dietary recommendations in this country is the US Dietary Guidelines, and the visual representation of them is MyPyramid.  You can find vegetarian guidelines at www.mypyramid.gov/tips_resources/vegetarian_diets_print.html and a list of other resources for vegetarians as well.

Finally, you might schedule a session or two with a registered dietitian who can help develop a few menus specific to your preferences AND the alli guidelines.  To find a dietitian in your area, by specialty, go to www.eatright.org -- the website of the American Dietetic Association.

I hope this helps.  Please let me know if you need anything else.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian

 Hi

I'm a vegetarian too.  I subscribe to Vegetarian Times magazine and a lot of the recipes there meet my calorie and fat requirements per meal.  There is a website too http://www.vegetariantimes.com/ to search for recipes.  I have also been using Morningstar Farm products.  I found a veggie burger with 13 grams of fat called the Sunshine Burger, so I've been using that for lunches.

I've only been on alli for a week, but lost 3 pounds on my first weigh-in.  I am actually increasing my calories and fat to get up to what the plan recommends for me, which is fine as long as I keep losing.

Hope you find the website/magazines helpful.

 I am also a vegetarian and have been considering becoming vegan--just not ready to give up my dairy yet. : ) I have been on the alli program since Feb. and have lost over 70 pounds. I use the morning star products boca products and tofu, but I generally don't try to follow the alli menu because I am such a picky eater. Actually, most of the soy meat products are lower in fat (and cheaper) than actual meat. I have started introducing my children to these products and when I don't tell them they usually don't even notice. Boca Crumbles make great tacos, meatsauce, and dirty rice! I create my own meals just remembering to keep my fat grams and calories low. I also eat a lot of cereal(like special K or smart start), oatmeal, yogurt, and great value has great low fat ice cream sandwiches. Good Luck and if you have anyquestions let me know!

Cassandra K.

 Hello,

 I am also a vegetarian, and was wondering the same thing. I checked of vegetarian but the menus still includes meat. Most of the groceries stores have a vegetarian section. I also luv the crumbles, i tried with some veggie chili it was awesome. What I enjoy the most is quorn products there products are low in fat and taste just like the real thing. We should start a veggie support group for alli users. Maybe we can all swap low fat recipes so that we dont get bored eating the same thing. I also get from alot of people when I go out anywhere well we made some corn on the cob. I have to constantly tell them I dont just eat veggies.

Congrats on your weight loss so far; that's terrific!  VT magazine is terrific and their recipes provied the nutrition information as well.

I realize it seems strange to eat more calories (and often more fat), and I'm happy to see you validate that to everyone.  alli works best when the recommendations are followed.

Keep up the good work!

Pat

april925:

 Hi

I'm a vegetarian too.  I subscribe to Vegetarian Times magazine and a lot of the recipes there meet my calorie and fat requirements per meal.  There is a website too http://www.vegetariantimes.com/ to search for recipes.  I have also been using Morningstar Farm products.  I found a veggie burger with 13 grams of fat called the Sunshine Burger, so I've been using that for lunches.

I've only been on alli for a week, but lost 3 pounds on my first weigh-in.  I am actually increasing my calories and fat to get up to what the plan recommends for me, which is fine as long as I keep losing.

Hope you find the website/magazines helpful.

It's OK for you not to follow the Sample Menus.  Just be sure that you get in the right amounts of fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy (sounds like you do well with the cereal group)!

Pat

CassandraQ:

 I am also a vegetarian and have been considering becoming vegan--just not ready to give up my dairy yet. : ) I have been on the alli program since Feb. and have lost over 70 pounds. I use the morning star products boca products and tofu, but I generally don't try to follow the alli menu because I am such a picky eater. Actually, most of the soy meat products are lower in fat (and cheaper) than actual meat. I have started introducing my children to these products and when I don't tell them they usually don't even notice. Boca Crumbles make great tacos, meatsauce, and dirty rice! I create my own meals just remembering to keep my fat grams and calories low. I also eat a lot of cereal(like special K or smart start), oatmeal, yogurt, and great value has great low fat ice cream sandwiches. Good Luck and if you have anyquestions let me know!

Cassandra K.