Vegan with a very calorie consuming job?

Question

I'm currently a vegetarian, but i'm thinking about going vegan. The only problem is i have a very labour intensive job and it struggle to get enough calories as it is.

Even after a couple of days i can tell if i've not eaten right as i'm lethargic and my mind feels slow. to get the calories at the minute, i eat a lot of eggs, and a lot of dairy based products.

Obviously, if i were a vegan, this would present quite a problem. Basically, i want to know if it's possible to get a lot of calories and still have a vegan lifestyle. I would like to go vegan, but if i can't do my job without feeling c**p, then even i know when to call it a day.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi, the problem with relying on dairy for calories is that dairy products are often high in saturated fat, particularly hard cheeses (such as Cheddar).

Try to incorporate olive oil in your cooking. A vegetable stir fry with olive oil is amazing. Very calorific too. Nuts and seeds supply many vitamins & minerals needed for good health. I think they are superfoods. Nuts and seeds supply lots of calories. 100g of almonds= 603 calories.

Not only calories, nuts supply protein. They're a great high energy snack.

I hope this helps. =)

[edit] Lunch ideas: Try sandwiches made with wholemeal bread (more calories than white refined bread), with avocados and soy spread. Soy spread contains a lot of fat, but it's the ''good'' fat. Here is the link to Pure Dairy Free Spreads, the ones I use:

http://www.puredairyfree.co.uk/

Peanut butter is calorific, and would be good on a sandwiche. Of course I don't know your routine, but beans are very filling but may be tricky to incorporate if you are on the move. Baked beans have around 11grams of fibre per tin, and 20 grams of protein, so they make you feel really full. Potatoes help you feel fuller too.

If sandwiches don't fill you up, have a snack to hand. Like a cereal bar (you can buy calorific vegan cereal bars at a health foods store). Vegan chocolate is fine, but not too much- don't rely on it! Although it still supplies essential calories.

http://www.plamilfoods.co.uk/chocolate.h...

As for stir fry's, you can pretty much use anything. Why not try Tofu & Vegetable Stir Fry with Chilli & Mint? The recipe is below, but there are so many online recipes.

http://vegetarian.about.com/od/thaifoodr...

good luck.

Answer 2

Eat things high in calories: Avocados, all types of nuts, hummus, all nut butters. Make vegan smoothies/shakes and drink them throughout the day.

Answer 3

Make sure you start of with a good breakfast, a good quality meusli, toast with peanut butter/beans or scrambled tofu. soya yogurts and fruit, smoothies(obviously you dont have to eat all of that but if you need it!!! :))

Have wholemeal bread/rolls/pitta bread with houmous, avocado, red onion, crispy lettuce and either vegan mayo or sweet chilli sauce.

Main meal, Use pasta, rice, potatoes, lentil based recipes.

Snack on nuts, dried fruit and raw veggies.

Have a look at this website and also the vegan society website for more info!

http://www.mikemahler.com/articles/vegan...

Answer 4

Incorporate these into your diet:

Black beans

soy milk

soy ice cream

pasta

vegan friendly cereals

vegan waffles with syrup

peanut butter

tofu ( a lot better than it sounds if prepared properly)

Check out the grocery store produce and frozen food section-they have tons of vegan friendly foods out now that are very good for you!