Vegetarian but overweight - why?

[muzlin]

"Carbohydrate" is such a broad category, and there is so much confusion about carbs - they're everywhere!

Really, I think it is so important to differentiate betwen refined carbs and complex carbs. There is a difference between a carrot and a slice of wonderbread.

[Neensie]

Replying to original post -

Your answer is probably very simple. However often the simple is the most elusive.

Recommendations -

1. Hydration with Water. Often we are thirsty for water and our mind mistakens this for food hunger. Drinking enough water is very underrated. If the body doesn't have enough water, it will crave food and extract the needed water from the food. The average sedentary woman should drink at least 10 glasses per day. A woman who works out or drinks alcohol daily should try to drink 20 glasses per day. Also  recommend supplementing water intake with tea. Drinking tea throughout the day supplements and enhances your hydration regimen.

2. Eat direct from the Earth. Cut out refined salts, sugars, flours, etc. Cut out processed foods. Your palate will change. Cravings will disappear. This doesn't mean you're on a diet. Diets = bad. You simply go direct to the earth for your food. For instance if you want a cookie, make it from scratch or purchase one made from scratch from good, non processed, natural, whole ingredients. For instance pure sukanet sweetener, oat bran/rice flour, sea salt, natural oils, banana as egg substitute, etc.

3. Run or Walk Daily. Cardio exercise in some form offers many exceptional benefits. Remember to increase water intake as you increase your exercise. The body needs to replace that water.

4. Intuitive Eating. Listen to your body's voice. Do not eat simply because it's mealtime. Eat healthy, fresh, of the earth foods when your body is ready to eat. Take your time. Drink water with every meal. Embrace the moment and relax.

Hope this post is helpful to many people.

VERY GOOD AND TRUE ADVICE!! I'm working on this one!

[faylinameir]

I think that if you just cut back on the amount of refined foods you eat you'd be fine. That includes vegan/veg fake meat products. Most breads, pastas, etc. If you have to eat something that you didn't make homemade try whole grains, unenriched, unproceesed foods. Stay away from anything hydrogenated, enriched, or anything you can't understand or read because it takes a chemists degree. Plain and simple, Corn syrup, table sugar, a lot of salt. You see where I'm going.

I agree with a bit of everything people are saying. Carbs, if you eat the good kind, are NOT bad for you, you just need to research which are and aren't good. Fats, will make you fat, pure and simple. Not to say that fat isn't good. Your body NEEDS fat to survive, all you have to do is think of your brain. If you're going to eat fats, try making it from natural sources like nuts and seeds or fruits like coconuts and avocados for examples. Sesame seeds and flax seeds are wonderful sources of good efa's omega3+6.

All in all, the carb-fat debate won't matter if you're eating 4,000 calories in "good" carbs. You're gonna gain weight. I would say if you're REALLY concerned about weight try a 1200-1500 calorie diet. I'm 5'6ft and can get away with a 1200 calorie diet, I have a bunch of energy and I'm healthy on it too. You can also download a calorie counting program, I personally suggest this free one, and its super user friendly:

http://spaz.ca/cronometer/