I have gained a ton of weight since giving up meat and poultry, and I crave sugar - is this common?

Answer 1

Yes, it's very common. I was a vegetarian for a year and the same thing happened to me.
All you need to do is balance your diet. Instead of all the bread, pasta, potatoes and rice you're substituting for meat, try eating a LOT more veggies. Thats what helped me.
Otherwise all you get is starch and carbs that will blow you up.
You must be starving all the time- I was. Just eat all the veggies you can get your hands on and drink lots of water. Try to cut out soda too. Good luck!!
;]

Answer 2

omg!
I totally agree! I also crave carbs!!
When people find out that I'm a vegetarian they're always like "oh no wonder you're so thin"! No no no! I work at it!! I really watch what I eat and I work out as well.
I became a vegetarian when I was 14 years old and I put on 15lbs! Not that I was big to begin with but immediately gained control of what I ate.
Now I buy isolate protein (powder) and I make smoothies with it. Get a blender and put a scoop of the protein stuff along with some yogurt, and fruits (suggestions: mango, strawberry, banana, pineapple, apple, anything!) and a bit of fruit juice and some ice. It tastes delicious!! I eat that every morning and it gives me energy.
Usually people think that vegetarians are healthy. But no, we can still eat deep fried food like french fries, spring rolls or chocolate, chips, candy, carbs carbs carbs!
And people usually think that vegetarians lack protein? It's actually that a lot of meat eaters get TOO much protein!
Try to get those daily vitamins and omega 3 pills. That's all I take every morning along with my smoothie.
As well in the morning try to grab a handful of nuts (the raw kind) and eat that.
Try to avoid high in calories or carb food after 3pm!!
Drink lots of water (Atleast 1.5L) cause it helps get rid of the fat inside your body.
Be healthy and get fit!

Edit:
Oh and I also wanted to mention that after dinner? When my friends eat meat, they're so tired afterwards. But I have a salad with maybe a garlic bread and I feel great! I feel light and energetic still.
Meat is not how it used to be back in the days. Those poor poor animals are poisoned and who knows what else ='( .
Eat a smaller portion then you normally do and then wait like 15 minutes and if you're still hungry? Then have a bit more. Cause usually after 15 minutes you'll feel content.
Goodluck okay!

VEGGIE POWER!

Answer 3

I would suggest that you're not eating the right foods to compensate for what you're missing from meat and poultry.

Try eating foods that are high in protein (like chick peas and lentils, or any type of beans) - they'll fill you up a lot better than just vegetables or carbohydrates. Also try to increase how much water you drink.

Once your body adjusts, the sugar cravings should decrease.

Answer 4

in giving up meat and poultry, you are starving your body for essential amino acids that cannot be found anywhere else, like L-argonine and L-citroline. So the craving for sugar doesn't surprise me....suggest you reconsider your diet. Human beings are designed to be omnivorous, if we were meant to be vegetarian, we would have four stomachs, like cows in order to be able to get nourishment out of cellulose that is the primary ingredient in a vegan diet.

Answer 5

Not uncommon. Go eat some meat.
Increasing carbs (includes sugar) can cause weight gain, and is the issue for most people struggling with weight.
Eat like a diabetic.

Answer 6

I find that after two or three days without meat, I am hungrier and eat more. Make sure you are getting plenty of other protein rich foods like beans and lentils and plenty of leafy green veggies like spinach and broccoli. They are really filling.

Watch the fat intake and limit pasta unless it is whole grain.

You may be filling up on 'white carbs" like potato and pasta. If so, they make you even hungrier and raise your blood sugar.

Answer 7

You should only have given up the red meat. Chicken is usually very lean. Recombinant bovine growth hormones (RBGH) is put in most beef cattle. Stop eating carbs and eat lean ORGANIC beef and chicken and the pounds will melt off. Get your protein. RBGH makes cows slow, fat and stupid. Guess what it does to us. We are what we eat. Or if you MUST go veg. Peanuts lentils etc... Sauerkraut is one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Check it out and good luck.

Answer 8

Yes, because the lack of protein. Use peanut butter to combat that. Your body holds on to anything it is missing. So if you are trying to lose weight, don't skip out on the protein. Use cottage cheese, or soy protein, or peanut butter. As for the sugar, use applesauce or honey.

Answer 9

I do not know. But I was thinner also when I ate meat. But, I will never eat meat again. I will figure out some way to drop it in a healthy way. You too I hope.

Answer 10

Eat less carbs, more protein. If you do not, you will not only gain weight, you will also start to have blood sugar problems. Your health is at stake; eat a steak.