After years of yo-yo dieting, I found what works for me

By Jamie Berube

When I was in high school I was overweight. And I’m not just talkin’ a little pooch over my jeans. I was a big girl with a big appetite and a plus-sized waistline to show for it.

At times, I allowed my weight to dominate my life. So I did what any self-conscious teenage girl traversing the halls of a public high school would do—I dieted a lot. And the one diet I attempted many times out of desperation was the infamous Atkins Diet. It was all protein, no carbs, and I haven’t been able to stomach sugar-free Jello or cottage cheese since. How awful must a diet be to turn someone against sugar free Jello?

Options on this diet were devastatingly limited: bagels are demonic, pizza is never okay, and cookies are an unforgivable sin. The diet would work for me for about a week or two, I’d drop five or six pounds and feel good about it, but then relapse and feel worse about myself. When carbs call my name I’m like a savage raccoon rummaging a dumpster—I can’t be pulled away.

The Atkins Diet was neither healthful nor practical for my particular physiology. As a 17 year old, depriving myself of carbs made me feel cranky, left-out and lethargic. But fueling up on protein and kicking carbs had promised to give me the bikini bod I’d longed for, and that’s what made me keep trying.

It’s kind of crazy to be writing about that experience years later. My diet and health today couldn’t be more different. I’m no longer the overweight, body-conscious teenager that I was in my yo-yo dieting days. Instead I’m a vegetarian who advocates against fad diets, and enjoys exercise and whole foods.

Since changing my diet and lifestyle, I get a lot of questions from people about what I eat. Most relatee to what I call “the protein issue,” which is the one thing people question most and are intimidated by in a meatless diet.

How do you get enough protein?

There are two points I want to make before I go any further. First, I believe that protein is good and that we need it. Second, you probably don’t need as much protein as you think you do.

Prevailing wisdom is that lean chicken, canned tuna and steamed broccoli are the best foods for promoting weight loss, but this is not necessarily true. I lost the weight I needed to not by eliminating doughnuts and granola, but by finding a healthy balance and sticking to it.

I haven’t eaten a bite of meat in more than 14 months, and I feel great about it. I’m also 5’11 and a runner with an appetite the size of Texas, so staying full and fueling properly are priorities for me. Now, how do I do this without the convenience of cheap, quick protein like sandwich meat and canned tuna? I’ll tell you. But this is only what works for me. I can’t tell you how you should eat—your body’s needs may be entirely different from mine. I can, however, offer some tips and suggestions on how to reconcile the protein issue with meatless eating.

• Be creative. Think outside the beef patty. There are many ways to get adequate protein without eating meat. Look to foods like beans, cheeses, nuts, grains and eggs. Have fun with these foods and learn how to prepare them so they fill you up while still tasting delicious.

• Learn the art of substituting. Let’s say you gave up alcohol for Lent. I guarantee that if you were a regular on the cocktail hour circuit, you’d find some substitute for 40 days. Arnold Palmers? Mocktails? Coffee? Giving up meat for some people might be like kicking a bad habit. You have to replace the vice with something that will satisfy you in a similar way. If you give up meat, you have to replace it with something substantial and similarly comforting. Tofu, soy, stinky cheese, beans and nut butters are all excellent options.

• Recognize when you crave protein most. Dinnertime? After a workout? Be prepared for the moments when your body craves the fullness of a protein-rich snack or meal and be equipped with the right foods to fulfill the craving. Almonds. Peanut butter. Greek yogurt. Edamame. Fact: I keep a jar of peanut butter in the glovebox of my car at all times; a spoonful goes a long way, and it just tastes like sin when it hits your lips.

• Aim to eat food that is moderately high in protein every two to three hours. This can be really hard. But it is do-able! Portion out some almonds to throw in yogurt as a snack, or cook a packet of instant oatmeal and stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter. String cheese and a handful of trail mix after a hard workout. Edamame with dinner. A protein bar and pistachios mid-morning. Two hard boiled eggs and a serving of pita chips with hummus in the afternoon. This requires planning ahead if you’re always on the go, so pack snacks and vegetarian lunches the night before to set yourself up for success. You’ll be amazed at how much stress is gone from your workday when you don’t have to think about what to eat or where to find lunch or a healthy snack during the day.

• Supplement. If you’re an extreme athlete or marathoner, or just generally very active, you might need to supplement. And it’s okay. Protein powder is actually pretty awesome. Hemp seed is an excellent protein source. A scoop of protein powder in a fruit smoothie makes a significant—and yummy—difference.

• Find motivation by reading vegetarian food blogs. Two of my favorites, No Meat Athlete and Healthy Tipping Point, are great for recipes and advice about eating a vegetarian diet, especially if you’re an athlete or regular exerciser.

• Try faux meat alternatives. Some vegetarians don’t like fake chicken nuggets because the meaty texture is too much like the real thing. Also, a lot of fake meat products are pumped with chemicals and hard-to-pronounce ingredients that kind of defeat the purpose. That’s why it’s important to shop around for these foods and choose carefully. Trader Joe’s has a good enough selection of veg corn dogs, chicken nuggets and sausage patties to make even a meat-eater drool. I’m telling you, they’re awesome.

• Chocolate milk. There’s a good amount of protein in chocolate milk. It’s quick, cheap, easy and tastes like the good times of childhood. If you don’t drink cow’s milk, try chocolate soy milk or hemp milk. I promise it’s all good, and it’s got a lot of protein for you. Have a glass (or two!) for dessert.

It is possible to get enough protein as a vegetarian. If it weren’t, I don’t think I would have been able to run a strong half-marathon six months ago. But it’s a lifestyle that requires discipline, creativity and desire to take you the distance. My desire is to not support a system that abuses its workers and animals in horrific and disgusting ways.

So sorry, fad diets, I no longer need your diet to help me feel healthy or drop a couple of pounds. As far as I’m concerned, as long as I have my peanut butter, I’m fine.

❋ If you liked this story you may want to read . . . ❋

~ Cher and Share Alike—Alicia Silverstone
~ Moby Has a New Ax to Grind
~ Eat Peace at Native Foods Cafe
~ Eating Vegan to Save Our Planet

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