junk foods?

[boyshopping]

hi, quick question - thoughts on cheese / veggie pizza, cakes (made of eggs, flour, sugar, oil), a few M&Ms? What kind of sweets can we have or suggest that is popular? thanks! Trying to ease into the diet so have been eating few meats - eventually switching to all vegetarian.

[maidentomother]

I eat vegetarian pizza and cake, usually made with oil but sometimes even with butter. It's fine! Just use portion control. I don't like milk chocolate but it's okay too in small amounts.

[ksmom]

I think most sweets are fine. I eat homemade cake occasionally, hard candies, cookies (usually store bought ones), rice rollers which are sorta like rice krispies treats. I have pizza every so often but I just eat smaller portions and make it with low fat cheese, veggie toppings, no meat.

[boyshopping]

thanks so much! so it sounds like keep an eye on portion control and should be ok. How hard is it to stay on vegetarian diet?

[Mama2many]

I pretty much lived off junk with my youngest daughter.

[ksmom]

It's actually pretty easy to be vegetarian although I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't go for a big juicy steak right now. I think the only time I've found it a bit difficult is when going out to eat but I have other food allergies/sensitivities that limit me anyway. I've found vegetarian foods to be quite satisfying and filling! There are tons of great vegetarian recipes out there.

[Mama2many]

Also I'm a vegetarian and have been almost my whole life. I eat a lot of pasta and rice with veggies.

[boyshopping]

thanks ladies!! very helpful. For vegetarians - how are you getting protein in? a little bit of tofu? Also what do you guys think of vegetarian sushi rolls - it sounds fine as it includes rice and cucumbers / carrots and some reduce sodium soy sauce. I'm doing a lot of rice and mix veggies too. Its asian style - so its been hard to count exactly the calories. Do you ladies have a problem with counting calories? I make a bit bowl of it for the family and try to portion but do not know exactly the calories...

[sunnygirl]

Unless you are insulin resistant, I think sweets are fine if you track then and stay within your protein and fat limits? (On mfp you can even add in your own recipes and it works out the amounts per serve for you). I'm finding it easier and easier to be vego. I've always loved meat, but now it's the last Thing I feel like. I'm really enjoying it!

[maidentomother]

I get most of my protein from cheese/dairy and wheat products, a little from nuts. I almost never eat tofu but I should! I grew up vegetarian so it's pretty easy for me. I've never eaten a lot of meat.

Ive counted cals before so that came easily for me too. I do eat a fair bit of packaged food which help.