New vegetarian with a little problem...?

Question

I became vegetarian about a month ago. Ever since I've had a problem with diarrhea (ie, I go about 4-6 times a day.) I take it this is not normal.

Right now my diet consists of peanuts, V8 juice, lot's of Amy's Kitchen frozen dinners, oatmeal and Triscuits. Evidently this diet is not agreeing with me. What should I be eating instead?

As a final note, I should point out that I hate cooking anything more complicated than canned soup...

Answer 1

I think that the problem is that you are not eating the best things you could be. My suggestion is to eat more fruits and vegetables. I have never heard of Amy's Kitchen Frozen Dinners before, but chances are they are not that good for you, like most frozen dinners. Instead just try making simple dinner. Like rice and pasta, you can cook them in the microwave, they take like 7 minutes or something like that.

It also sounds like are not getting enough protein either. At the grocery store in the tofu/vegetarian section you can buy stuff that is made of tofu and you just put it in the microwave and then volia you have fake chicken or fake beef. They also have sandwhich meats, and plain tofu. There's lots of stuff out there that you can buy that doesn't require alot of cooking, that is really good for you. Another thing I do, is for breakfast I make like a smoothie type. You can by tofu that goes in it, it's called silken tofu (you can buy it plain or in flavors like raspberry) and you just mix it in the blender with fruit and milk (or soy milk). It doesn't take that long. And there right away you have protein and fruit.

When I first became a vegetarian I went to a dietician. I think that's also a really good idea. They just ask you some simple questions, like how many servings of fruit you eat a day... etc. and then they tell you how much more you need to be eating.

Sorry if it's really long, I like to ramble. Hope it's helps. If you have more questions there are lots of resources online.

Answer 2

you need to eat more fruits and vegetables and things with protein and iron. fish is a good thing for a vegetarian to eat because its not breaking the rules butr at the same time your getting the nutrients you need. also try eating yogurt with berries in the morning or drinking some orange juice. there are lots of books you can buy that have vegetarian recipes, just go to your local book store or library.

Answer 3

I think your body is just taking time to adjust. It is usual for a veggie/vegan to go to the toilet more often than a meat eater. This is because your stomach struggles to digest meat as meat is only really meant to be consumed in times of need.

Each is his/her own and we all react different to change.

But keep it up, the rewards will outweigh the awkwardness in the long run and you will feel so much better for it. ;)

Answer 4

perhaps if you ate sensibily you wouldn't have such problems.  Cooking is easy even basic stuff.  Perhaps you should take some basic cooking lessons

Answer 5

Eat more fruits and Veggies, less processed foods.

Answer 6

This could be a lot of things.  Are you eating more wheat than usual?  My daughter gets chronic diahrea when she eats wheat.  Especially shredded wheat or triscuits, they go right through her. Happens to her dad too, those same items.  (I'm going to get her genetically tested for celiac.)  Try avoiding triscuits at least.  That's the first thing I'd eliminate.  Replace it with something else for a time, like rice crackers.  Also, cream of rice is really soothing to my daughter and husband's system so give that a try.  It's good with honey, vanilla, cinnamon, butter & milk...if you can eat dairy anyway.  Rice is also "binding".  So are cooked vegetables. Raw vegetables are more laxative.  Peanuts are laxative. Make sure you're getting adequate protein.  Your body is telling you something and it does not like whatever the heck you are doing so I hope you are able to sort it out.

Answer 7

google it

Answer 8

well, if the only fruits and veggies you're getting in your diet are in V8 juice then i'm sure your body isn't too happy with you.  you don't have to be a great cook to have a well rounded diet....just eat simply.  for example, try topping your triscuits with bits of cheese and slices of an apple to get a more well rounded snack.  you'll end up eating less of the carbs because of the other ingredients.  you can always go for salads, too...what is easier than tossing some lettuce, nuts, and dressing together?  

your diet is in serious need of fresh foods and way too saturated with processed ones.

Answer 9

I never heard of triscuits nor the frozen dinner name.but im in u.k.

You may have actually taken on the diet too fast,sometimes we have to gradually add things to diets,as sometimes the body just expels it in diarrhoea or sickness.

Of course you may be allergic to a product.

Packet meals aren't good for you only as a treat as they contain so much salt and fats etc,you could be giving yourself blood pressure problems by eating too many packet meals,especially if you are eating salted nuts or any other processed food.

Cooking isn't that hard,you can get beginners cook books.

You should only eat a max of 6g of salt daily,a lot of packet foods have this in one serving.

You can always rent hunky Gordon Ramsey for a few cookery lessons,he also cooks veggie and vegan food when pushed.lol

Answer 10

Where's the fruits and vegetables? V8 is c**p and loaded with sodium. Eat fresh. BTW, canned soup is c**p too.

If you aren't willing to cook for yourself it's going to be rather difficult to eat healthy.

EDIT: That's why you should always make at least double batches of everything so you can freeze it in individual portions for later convenience. Soups and chilis work especially well this way.

Answer 11

Okay...  It sounds like you have a nutrient deficiency.  To help with it, you should improve your diet.  You need to eat more FRESH fruits and vegetables, vitamin-fortified juices (like Tropicana's orange juice with added calcium and vitamin D), legumes, grains, pastas (other than plain pasta), breads (other than white), soy (soymilk, tofu, tempeh, etc.), beans, other types of nuts/seeds (peanuts are good, but you should eat others, too, like sunflower seeds, flax seeds*, walnuts, etc.), HEALTHY fats/oils (olive oil, butter substitutes, etc) meat substitutes (if possible), and you should take a daily multivitamin/supplement, if you don't already. (The supplement will help ensure that you are getting vital nutrients that would be harder to get or your new diet.) Also, if you include dairy and/or eggs in your diet, you could include those, but it isn't really necessary.

I like Amy's Kitchen brand frozen foods, too. You should try the breakfast tofu scramble. It has tofu (which they made to taste like eggs), peppers, mushrooms, and spinach, I believe. It's completely vegan and is definitely good eats! ;-)

Oh, and by the way, I hate to break it to you, but it looks like you'll have to make some foods for yourself! Get a vegetarian cookbook or find some recipes online.

*Flax seeds are probably the best nuts/seeds, since they are a good source of Omega-3's, a very important nutrient in ANY diet.

Answer 12

go to www.goveg.com there's a lot of tasty recipes

Answer 13

Thats what the fruit does to you. Thats a very high fiber diet, and it'll just go right through you. You need to find foods with protien. Do you eat diary? Or eggs? because that will help. If not you may have to take a supplement, just make sure that if you do, you're making the choice to be vegetarian long-term because you can become dependent on them.

Answer 14

You have to balance your meals better and please stop eating all that boxed food. It cost too much and you are not eating as healthy as you think.

You are going to have to eat more whole foods. I make many meals in under an hour and quiet a few in 30 minutes or less. Do some research and check out some vegetarian/vegan sites.

The biggest mistake many vegetarians and vegans make is not eating enough whole fresh fruits and vegetables. I don't see where you listed salad as a part of your diet and there are a number of ways you can make a salad. Or what about beans and rice. You can even do the canned beans if you don't want to cook the dry.

Right now with the with the way you are eating you are doing your body more harm than good.

Answer 15

Well I was going to suggest you need more fiber but with oatmeal and Triscuits you should be fine.  That being said, the frozen dinners are not healthy, get rid of them.  Eat more fresh fruits and veggies.

And drink lots and lots of water, with more fiber you need to increase your water.

And take an anti-diarrhea medicine.  You can get them over the counter

Answer 16

not making light of your situation, but it could be the Triscuits--those things ALWAYS have a negative effect on me.

Answer 17

Hey

Well it sound like you need a bigger variety of food !

There are millions of things you could eat!!

http://uktv.co.uk/food/stepbystep/aid/56...

Good luck!

Answer 18

I don't like to cook that much either so I make simple meals.

Whole wheat pasta with sauce, stir fry veggies over brown rice, Vegetarian paella and so much more.  Frozen veggies are your friend!