Expert: Tanya Zilberter, PhD - 7/11/2005

Question
Hello. I have been on a vegetarian diet for about 4 years now. I don't really like eggs, but i do eat cheese. I  also don't like tofu... Problem is, since I have begun living on a vegetarian diet, I have gained about 20 pounds. I am 5'4 and weigh 140 lbs. I really want to lose the 20 pounds I have gained. I exercise regularly, and my meals usually consist of salad and meatless lean cuisines (lasagna, or ravioli), or soup. I feel my weight gain has something to do with an imbalance, or lack of protein. How can I get the protein I need, and how much of it do I need? Thanks, Michelle

Answer
Hello Michelle,

The matter is, to reliably lose weight without being hungry (which is by itself an obstacle in losing weight) your diet should have carbohydrate + protein grams at least 2 times less than fat grams; vegetable oils as fats are OK of course.

Cheese source of protein is a tricky thing from this standpoint. In our program at http://bantadiet.com we give detailed recommendations for cheeses including home-made yogurt cheese as a good concentrated source of probiotics.

Combining legumes with brown rice balances pretty well the amino-acids in your food and having enough nuts and seeds plus to yogurt support beneficial bacteria in your intestines providing the body with yet more essential amino acids.

Please feel free contacting us directly via our feedback form at http://dietandbody.com/mfeedback.html

Tanya Zilberter, PhD