Hi, I'm just completing my 2nd week of induction as a lacto-ovo vegetarian. I had heard many successful weight loss stories from the atkins diet, but had in the past always avoided checking it out because my primary source of protein has always been legumes, grains, and was not much of a dairy/egg eater. I estimate my diet was 20%fat, 10% protein, 70% carbohydrate, and my primary reason for changing my diet was desire for, but difficulty with weight loss. it's ironic that I chose atkins, since there are other lc diets out there that are more vegetarian-friendly, the guru himself says a vegetarian cannot do his diet, particularly induction, they will get bored due to lack of variety. but I read his theory anyway, made a lot of sense, read a lot of the success stories and particularly paid attention to the former low fat dieters who described my eating habits to a T, bagels, bowls and bowls of pasta, rice, binging on sweets and sugar, etc. so I thought, I'll give it a try, boredom or no, surely I can last anything for 2 weeks. the first few days, as others have described were the worst, headaches, fatigue, as my body adjusted to the sudden loss of carbs. but near the end of the 2nd week, I'm feeling pretty good, and quite proud of the fact that I've avoided potatoes, pasta, bread, and CHOCOLATE for nearly 2 weeks.
so to get to your original question, what I've used for protein sources as been cheese (which I'd forgotten tasted so good, none of the non-fat varieties), tofu (lots of tofu) and vegetarian "fake" meat sources that I've read the labels on that were high in protein and low in carbs. Quorn makes a frozen "ground-beef" analog that's not too bad, and eggs. also worthington and loma linda make brands of vege-meat that are low in carbs. I like their imitation chicken and hot dogs. I think this is a matter of personal taste, some of the products I tried were horrid but other people may like them. my favorite recipe so far: microwave a cut spaghetti squash for 15 minutes. while it's cooking, sautee a chopped onion and Quorn ground beef. add tomatoes. remove the strands of squash with a fork/serrated knife while leaving the outer shell in-tact. mix these strands with the "ground-beef" onion tomato mixture. put this back in the shell, top with shredded cheddar cheese, microwave another 5-7 minutes.
good luck!
shaylenus
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