Suggesting please

[hic_sunt_leones]

I need help.

I’m a F/36 (5’5”) have been vegan for past 8 years. Most of these years of my vegan journey, I have been mostly a consistent weight of (126 lbs – 130 lbs). For past one year, my husband (vegetarian) and I have been trying to start a family. I have not only gained 10 pounds in last 6 months but have these strong urges to eat butter and yogurt. I can’t help it, there is dairy in the house so sometimes I cheat and have a desert here and there. I grew up vegetarian eating rice and curries, fake meat is not for me. How can I stop these cravings and lose weight? My trainer said, I should have around 1300-1500 calories per day and 70-80 grams of protein. I cant crack the code.

 

[mihai_1991]

@hic_sunt_leones If you're craving butter and yogurt maybe you need more fat in your diet? Keeping vegan yogurt around might help too. A lot of vegans eat very low fat naturally but fat is highly satiating so making a point to incorporating it can help. Not sure how starting a family ties into this exactly but that would be my advice, more fat and maybe more protein too.

 

[hic_sunt_leones]

@mihai_1991 I’m already gaining a lot of weight. I’m afraid I’ll gain even more weight. I don’t shy away from eating seeds and nuts.

 

[mihai_1991]

@hic_sunt_leones A surplus of calories causes weight gain, not the macronutrients that you eat. You might be eating more than you need in a day cause your macronutrients are outta wack

 

[katie4469]

@hic_sunt_leones Are you currently trying to conceive? If so, I would not recommend trying to lose weight right now.

 

[hic_sunt_leones]

@katie4469 Yes, we are! Any suggestions on how to hit 70-80 grams of protein without fake meat under 1400 calories?

 

[katie4469]

@hic_sunt_leones How do you feel about protein powder? That would make it very easy! I add that to lots of things that would otherwise be low in protein, like a bowl of oatmeal for example.

The next easiest option would be having lots of tofu! Tofu can be incorporated into lots of breakfasts/lunches/dinners, and can also be added to smoothies, or pureed to make puddings/desserts.

Another general tip would just be to make any swaps you can to replace lower protein foods with higher protein alternatives. For example, swap regular white pasta for legume-based pasta.

 

[solomonanderson]

@hic_sunt_leones Your trainer is insane. Restriction is a good way to lose your fertility. Eat fats in abundance. Also you are a low weight so gaining weight to conceive is a good idea.

 

[jancan]

@hic_sunt_leones Not trying to make a big deal of it, but please consider “thinking of having kids” rather than “starting a family.” You and your husband are a family already, and it shows respect towards those who can’t or choose not to have kids.