© vegetarian & gaining muscle

[billpacker]

I am a vegetarian and eat around 1300-1500 cals. every day. I've also been lifting weights for a couple of months, and I notice significant changes around my arms, chest etc., but none whatsoever around my abs. I do 5-minute stair-climbing on alternate days (when I am not lifting weights), and hope to increase it by two minutes every week.

Now here's the problem. I am 25, 5'9" and weigh 150 odd lbs. Obviously, I need to put on weight as I am lifting weights these days. But the first question is, HOW, since I am a vegetarian? But more importantly, I have a rather big tummy, so i am afraid if I eat too much, I'd be accumulating those cals in the wrong places, namely, stomach, hips, glutes etc. What do I do now? On the one hand, I need to eat at least around 2000 cals. But then again, I don't want to put on weight around my waist, since it is already bulging. How to eat a lot and NOT put weight around the waist? What sort of food (vegetarian) would help me in gaining weight?

[yooooooo]

u gotta eat meat man.. u need the essential amino acids u can't find in pills or anywhere else but from meat

[billpacker]

Originally Posted by yooooooo

u gotta eat meat man.. u need the essential amino acids u can't find in pills or anywhere else but from meat

I do eat two eggs in the morning and 1 in the evening. So all in all, I eat just 3 eggs for the whole day. Now would it be advisable to eat eight eggs per day (2 eggs morning, noon, evening, night)? Or would that be weird?????

[lllSmokell]

Originally Posted by billpacker

I do eat two eggs in the morning and 1 in the evening. So all in all, I eat just 3 eggs for the whole day. Now would it be advisable to eat eight eggs per day (2 eggs morning, noon, evening, night)? Or would that be weird?????

u need a variaty of different proteins. eat some meat

[Steve]

you can eat more eggs....lose the yolk, though...too much fat. Also look at soy as a source of protein....soymilk and tofu.

do you eat fish? I know some vegetarians that do...

[Steve]

check this out -

http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/vegetarian-bodybuilding.asp

[billpacker]

Originally Posted by Steve

check this out -

http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/vegetarian-bodybuilding.asp

Thanks for the link. The reason I specifically asked about eggs is because that's the only protein-rich food I take, aside from milk. Anyway, the thing is, I assumed that 3 eggs per day is a little too less for me, and decided to take at least 8 (2 every morning, noon, evening, night). But my friend tells me, even eight is insufficient, and moreover, eggs are beneficial ONLY IF I TAKE THEM AT ONCE. That is, he wants me to take around ten eggs at once (preferably for breakfast)! I don't know how that's possible, wouldn't you throw up????? I need to know if there is any truth behind his idea that eggs are beneficial only if you take them all at once, and also you gotta take them in big numbers, like 10 or 12. Is it not wise to take 2 after every four or five hours, instead of eating 10 right away?

[Merrida]

Originally Posted by yooooooo

u gotta eat meat man.. u need the essential amino acids u can't find in pills or anywhere else but from meat

You do not need to eat meat. People are vegetarians for various reasons, and telling them to just go eat meat isn't very helpful.

You can contribute to your protien intake using supplements, and there are vegetarian sources of protein as well. Certain combinations of vegetables, legumes, and grains can balance out your amino acids.

[CJNY]

NO, meat is definitely not mandatory. Eggs and dairy, along with vegetable sources can be more than adequate.

You add fat when you eat too much. It sounds overly simplistic but it's the basic truth. The diet for gaining desirable weight is all about giving your body the nutrients it needs to support the extra mass and not much more.

[trooper619]

Beans are excellent source of protein if you are a vegetarian.

[Alex(AJ)]

Originally Posted by CJNY

NO, meat is definitely not mandatory. .

pffft, i credit my size to eating atelast a pound of steak/day

i've never understood why people become vegetarians. if you're so concenred about the animals- why. i'll just eat what you didn't, hehe

[Amused]

If you're a vegetarian, why do you eat aborted chickens?

I'm with Alex. Vegetarianism is unnatural. And "vegans" (fanatical vegetarians) are just plain freaks.

However, if you still insist on robbing yourself of your natually required meat products, yet have no problem with dairy, try a few scoops of whey protein three times a day.

[Merrida]

Well he isn't asking anyone if his being a vegetarian agrees with your meat-eating. It's a matter of preference, and can have anything to do from religious beliefs, political beliefs, taste preferences, moral or ethical reasons,....

Anyway, the post wasn't intended to invite judgment, but to ask for help on how he can continue to do what he does, and still eat healthfully.

[Amused]

And my opinion is that vegetarianism is unhealthy and unnatural, Merrida. My opinion is that one cannot build signifigant muscle mass while being a vegetarian.

That was his question, right? "How do I get enough protein to build muscle while being a vegetarian?"

[Merrida]

Yes, how does he get enough protein while being a vegetarian.

Not: Do you guys agree that being a vegetarian is right?

Offering suggestions of how to eat vegetarian style to ensure adequate protein intake is constructive. Slamming his eating style is not constructive.

I understand you don't do it, or agree with it, or even like it. He didn't ask you if you did.