just became a vegetarian. craving sugar and other carbs it seems. what can i do?

Question

i've been a vegetarian for about 4 mons. health reasons are the main reason i became one but it seems like i'm craving more unhealthy foods. help please? any thought, comments, experiences, or input would help.

it seems like my diet but i dont know what im missing, eating enough protein and other stuff.

it doesnt seem like everyone understands,
1) i'm not a vegan
2) i like watching what i eat, not sweets all the time...i ate a lot less sugar and unhealthy carbs when i ate meat...but i know i've dropped all the toxins and fats from meat

what it seems like is that this is normal

Answer 1

You are detoxing. Meat is filled with fat and grease and all sorts of garbage. Believe it or not, fat is an addictive substance. When your body craves meat, it often craves that. I crave donuts on occasion too, but it doesn't mean I am missing the *necessary things* they provide.
:)

Carbs are good... they give us energy, but switch them over to whole grains when possible. Whole grains are a big part of the vegetarian food pyramid. Next biggie is obviously, fruits and vegetables.

A great snack is to take 1 orange, 1 apple, 4-8oz vanilla, light soy milk and about 6 ice cubes. Put them together in a blender and you have a great smoothie.
Another great snack is cereal. I love it. It is tasty and better for you than other snacks. Fruity and cocoa pebbles are both vegan (and therefore vegetarian).

And unless you are on a *diet* diet, surely you can allow yourself some sweets on occasion.

Eat a variety of foods and you are getting all the nutrients you need.
http://www.vegsoc.org/newveg/fft/balance.html

Answer 2

Well that is quit normal to have more cravings in the beginning of becoming a vegetarian,
I experienced pretty much the same ( became a vegan eight years ago), and i ate about double the amount i used to eat
It's because your body undergoes quite allot of changes and your stomach changes but it will pass soon
Be sure to eat enough proteins from green veggies, tofu, grains you snack snack on fruit or cereal or lower calorie chocolate, dark is the best!
Maybe it would also help you out in the beginning to eat meat substitutes!

Good Luck! :)

Answer 3

I never had a sweettooth myself until I became a vegetarian. It's crazy how much that animal fat and gunk acted like sugar in your system and then your body has withdrawal. It will go away eventually, but I have found that citrus fruits and seltzer water help me. I also have made things like Teas' Tea (Oolong) a treat for me and it's changed the way I think about snacking.

Answer 4

Your body craves energy, and it defaults to the thing it knows will give it instant energy, e.g. sugar/carbs.

Instead, eat some protein. I've found that a few tablespoons of non-fat or lo-fat cottage cheese conquers the sweet craving.

Answer 5

Are you a vegetarian or a vegan? A vegetarian simply does not eat meat whereas a vegan does not eat any animal byproducts. Since sugar and carbs are found in fruits and veggies, you are not violating any part of being a vegetarian.

Answer 6

Give in to your cravings-its your bodies way of telling you what it needs. Have some mac and cheese, and some type of healthy sweatner-pancakes with agave nector, or honey. I just purchased a really expensive soy free chocolate, and I allow myself a small piece each day-I let it melt in my mouth-its awesome. Being veggie doesn't mean you have to give up sugar and carbs. Try a fruit you have never had before, such as carambola (star fruit) or fresh pineapple

Answer 7

I've found that sweet apples curb my sweet tooth and I don't crave processed sugar after that. If you don't like apples try other sweet fruits or a fruity smoothie

Answer 8

When I'm craving sugar I eat bananas!

Answer 9

be vegetarian healthy example pecel