Just started vegetarianism

[rainbow4321]

And am really enjoying finding all the variety of meatless options out there. I could live at Whole Foods now.

Anyone else notice having less of an appetite after becoming a vegetarian? I don't have the munchies in between meals, I have to really make a point of remembering that's mealtime otherwise lunch or dinner time passes without me noticing it cuz I have no feelings of hunger/wanting to eat.

It's an odd feeling but I don't miss my old way of eating at ALL.

[flvegan]

1. Congratulations!!

I eat much smaller meals now than I did as a meat-eater, but I still eat just as often (5-6 meals a day) so I don't really notice if I'm hungry or not.

I'm glad to hear that it seems to be working for you!

[LeftyMom]

2. I've never noticed a loss of appetite.

But I've always eaten enough for any three people my size, omni, vegetarian or vegan. It's a bit of a running joke among people I grew up with, even.

Anyhow, congrats! Please let us know if you need any help with anything.

[Elad]

3. Eating more fiber and more nutritious food can reduce appetite

because you're nourishing your body better. Often if your diet is lacking in something your body wants you will feel hungry, which is your body's way of telling you it's not getting something it needs. So if you correct that imbalance (say by eating more fruits and vegetables after going vegetarian) hunger decreases.

Fiber also helps with reducing appetite, as its bulk makes you feel physically full, and it slows down the absorption of nutrients, in particular sugars/starches, which gives you a more even energy boost from your meal, so you don't need to eat again right away. Again, if you're eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains after switching your fiber intake probably went up.

Congrats on the switch!

[Qanisqineq]

4. I am slowly working on becoming vegetarian

I only eat chicken now (except I ate pork at Christmas and once last spring). I haven't had beef in about a year. Last summer, I was cutting down on the amount of chicken I ate, and I was eating a lot of the Morningstar crumbles, patties, etc. Then I found out I am gluten intolerant. After that I started eating more chicken and ground turkey again. I am trying to cut down on those now that I can (almost) figured out what I can and cannot eat. It doesn't help that my husband is a meat eater.