Catsharp

I know, this always cracks me up. I'm pretty much an omnivore but I do eat much better on the weekends when I have time to plan, prepare and cook. I would LOVE to eat as a vegetarian, but each time I try, I tend to relapse. It seems to take even more planning and prep (not complaining here, just observing) and I never seem to feel satisfied with what I eat. That could be from conditioning to feel full and satiated.

downhillmaster

Maelochs

In a stunning abandonment of both logic and morality, you two decided that the best thing to do about stuff you really didn't like ... was to do the same. Bravo.
Yeah, well, you two just gave the lie to that notion.

And @KraneXL apparently cannot tell a vegan from a vegetarian from someone who doesn't eat meat in every single meal.

You two guys ... Not exactly shining brightly as the future hopes for humanity here.

It doesn't matter what you eat ... but it matters how you act. ... Think about that, maybe.

bruce19

I've been avoiding refined carbs and packaged food generally for the past two months. My BP (which I've struggled with for years) has gone from a consistent 145/95 to 125/80. My ND says the reduction in refined carbs may have reduced inflammation causing a lower BP.

Seattle Forrest

They come off as purely confrontational. This is a thread where somebody is asking for guidance about eating a plant based diet, and your post sure has the appearance of needing to pee in somebody's Cheerios (which are vegetarian).

Seattle Forrest

​​​​​​Does the last 1 vegan wear a green super hero costume with a big V on her chest or something? You pulled those numbers out of your ass, and they smell.

Most vegetarians and vegans I know (probably more of them in Seattle than Kansas) don't talk about their diets unless asked. You wouldn't know they're plant people. But when some people find out, they get real obnoxious about it like they feel threatened by someone else's diet. This isn't most people, it's just this subset of meat lovers who are really insecure.

That's pretty weird.

Seattle Forrest

Dan333SP

Anyway, to the OP's question. There are plenty of good videos out there on vegan diets for cyclists or busy people etc. I personally follow this guy on youtube because he's entertaining and a strong rider-


I'm an omnivore and don't follow his diet, but he also doesn't force it down your throat, he just made a lifestyle choice for himself and seems to be healthier as a result.

Korina

May I suggest to the OP that he invest in a slow cooker? There are a gazillion recipes out there for healthy and nutritious slow cooker meals with or without meat, and you can eat off that for days; or freeze it in portions that just need a quick nuking. Also, beans are nature's most perfect food for humans. And who couldn't use a jet powered assist?

woodcraft

Not vegetarian but hard boiled eggs work well for on-the-go eating.

Also almonds, fruit, dried fruit.

If you're wanting to eat better, away from prepackaged food is a better direction to go than toward.

TheRef

Thank you for all (ok not all) the replies. I won't respond to individual posts but I would like to clarify a few things.

1- I'm a life long athlete I know how to eat well. And if given the time to prep and sit down to have a proper meal I very much like healthy options
2- I really wanted advice on to-go kind of options. Things that can be bought in most places while on a ride. I'm trying to break the cycle of eating crap while on the go. I have the dad-to-day part figured out. It's just a matter of being diligent and stick with the plan.
3- I asked for vegan/vegatarian options so I can add them to my options. I do not intend to be a vegan/Vegetarian full time
4- I have no ethical quals eating animal meat or products. But I don't judge.and I don't want to be judged.
5- I do believe there are benefits and both of my MEDICAL DOCTORS agree that it would be wise to cut down on animal products. At least in my circumstances which I don't need to discuss in a public forum.

6- and for the ones that threw shots at my job situation.. well how can you pretend to know what my life and circumstances are? If you don't have anything positive to say.. then stay quiet. That's what My grandma taught me.

Thanks again for the ones who genuinely seem to be willing to help.

Lets keeping riding.

BTW 9 pounds down since XMAS !!!

indyfabz

Heh. He should take that blanket statement to Asia and try to "pedal" it to the countless millions of healthy vegetarians there. India would be a good place to start his journey.

indyfabz

+1.

OBoile

This isn't really true. Studies show that plant based diets are healthier than what a typical person eats, but that's somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison since one set of people are following a specific diet plan while the other isn't. When a person starts paying attention to what they eat, regardless of whether that diet is vegan, Atkins, paleo, DASH, the Zone, Weight Watchers or whatever else, their health tends to improve. The simple act of being mindful of what you eat tends to result in a massive reduction of junk/useless food consumed. Many non-vegan foods are considered healthy by the vast majority of nutrition scientists. The two most recommended diets for long term health: the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet aren't vegetarian.

JohnDThompson 

Another resource: The Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club, formed in 1888, making it one of the oldest cycling organizations on the planet:

https://vegetariancac.org/

eja_ bottecchia

exmechanic89

^These are my thoughts as well. More effort will have to be made then just switching from crap processed food to vegan offerings.

veganbikes

Just putting it out there that almost everywhere you look there is promotion of carnism. People eating meat all over and worshiping at the alter of dead animals and their products. Because exploitation of animals in considered the norm anyone trying to stick up for animals must be wrong and is "shoving it down our throats" when if you look around you will see promotion of animal exploitation is everywhere all the time.


I am not here to say that all plant based diets are healthy but one can eat a very healthy plant based diet. If you don't have a lot of time in the morning consider a smoothie with frozen fruits (banana is always a good one to add) and kale, add some almond, soy, coconut, hazelnut, rice, cashew, hemp, flax or whatever your favorite non-dairy milk is or water and some nuts and you will have good energy to start off the day and they only take a few minutes to blend and if you have a reusable cup with a reusable straw you can take it with you. You can also do something like instant oatmeal if you like it hot.
This is my favorite brand/flavor:
https://www.naturespath.com/en-us/pr...-flax-oatmeal/
and you can make it healthier by adding fresh fruit.
If you are truly in a rush Clif and ProBar make some excellent bars for on the go or you can grab something like a banana or apple or something like that. Quick and easy.

Abe_Froman

I'm not vegetarian, much less vegan, but I do a lot of big batches of vegetarian meals to save for the week. Veggie chili or red beans and brown rice. Tastes great, healthy, and much less fear of them when I leave them in the fridge too long with no meat in there

50PlusCycling

Vegans are mentally unstable people whom one should avoid associating with. I have learned this the hard way from dating vegans. Don't become a soy boy. Human beings are omnivores by nature, and your body will not work as well if you eat an unnatural diet. A natural diet includes fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish. Plants are no less alive than any other living thing, and I feel no more guilt about eating meat than a lion would feel if one ate me.

I was once in the same situation you were in. I solved it by riding more. I worked 12 hour shifts, 6 days a week. I lost energy, gained weight, and felt unwell. I started riding on my days off, a little here and there, then increased my mileage as I got used to riding again. I then got up early every morning to ride for an hour before work. In a rather short time, I felt better, slept better, and lost weight.

Then I began commuting to and from work, 22 miles each way. Surprisingly, it didn't take much more time to ride than it did to drive, I saved money on gas, and used my commuting time to improve my health. The good thing about cycling is that it allows me to stay healthy without having to change my diet. If I ride a lot, I can eat as much I want of anything I want.

I'm over 50 now, but my blood pressure is the same as it was when I was 17, I am not overweight, and cycling gives me the energy I need to run a business and keep up with my 4-year-old daughter. I can enjoy eating what I want without feeling guilty.

Racing Dan

This is true for meat eaters and vegans alike. The unspoken assumption that meat eaters are somehow inherently "safe" is false as deficiencies are common in all Americans. But yeah,if you are strict vegan you should definitely supplement with B12.

https://www.cdc.gov/nutritionreport/...508_032912.pdf

Racing Dan

Dude .. Did that ever happen to you? Ppl always claim vegans are really pushy, but I have never had anyone preach to me about broccoli or tofu. If anything its the other way around. If anyone dare to mention they eat plant based, vegan, what ever, someone will surely lecture about protein and "carbs".

mstateglfr 

Jainism requires all followers to not eat meat. Millions of followers and for thousands of years. That doesnt even get to Buddhism and Hinduism and all the followers of those religions who are also generational vegetarians.

mankind didnt develp as a vegetarian or as a carnivore. humans can eat both. And as long as the required vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are all fulfilled, our bodies dont inherently crave a certain style of eating.


Well this is simply false. How someone could live on this planet to adulthood and think fats and proteins arent naturally occurring in abundance and easily supplied in suffficient quantity is beyond me.
Peanut butter, soy beans, black eyed peas, lima beans, etc etc etc all have plenty of protein and fat for pro athletes so its also plenty for any weekend warrior office worker.

There is more than 1 way to skin a cat, though if a cat were skinned, i vegans wouldnt really be happy. A strictly plant based diet can provide more than enough fat and protein.



I am not a vegetarian. I am really not even 'meat light'. I like the idea, but lack the discipline. We have vegetarian dinners a couple times a week and thats the extent. I mention this so you dont think I am with 'them' or whatever.
Try to not claim science when making scientifically incorrect comments.

mstateglfr 

This is funny because I was just talking with my kids about the word 'diet' this past weekend. It was tough for them to conceptually see the same word meaning an overall way to eat for life and also a temporary restrictive eating regimen.
It seems to often be mixed up by adults too.

There is no apples to oranges here.

- the vegetarian follows a dietary plan of plant based food.
- the 'typical person' follows a dietary plan of...whatever. That is their dietary plan. If they have coffee and toast in the mornings, get fast food each lunch, and have homecooked dinners each evening- thats their dietary plan.

With that said, just because someone is a vegetarian doesnt mean they necessarily eat healthy. Sugar is vegetarian and have a vegetarian friend who eats as unhealthy as anyone I know.
Of course its all about the specific dietary plan.
I would say that the typical US vegetarian's diet is healthier than the typical US adult's diet. That isnt comparing apples to oranges.

OBoile

In general it seems as though KraneXL's comments are referring to ancient times when humans were hunter/gatherers. Then, due to food insecurity and a lack of variety, it would have been far harder to be vegetarian and consume sufficient calories. The general consensus is that eating meat is what allowed our brains to grow as large, and caloricaly expensive, as they are.

Today is, obviously, is a different story. As you say, we have lots of variety available, and thus have more dietary options.