So, I've been trying the vegan lifestyle for about two weeks. At first, it seemed to be going pretty well. I was eating a lot of processed/frozen vegan foods, just to explore, but, I actually lost a few pounds that first week. However, the following week, I began to try to eat more whole foods and I have gained that weight back. I am also extremely bloated and excuse my discretion, "backed up" (especially since I no longer drink coffee). I was just wondering what everyone's meal plans looked like for a day's worth of eating and/or if you are following any or all of the recipes/meal plans in Alicia's book. Here is a sample of one of my days:

Breakfast: Two pieces of gluten free raisin bread toast with a smear of earth balance butter and the other piece with a tablespoon of organic/fresh peanut butter. Along with this I had a cup of Yerbe Matte Chocolate tea with a tablespoon of silk vanilla creamer. 

Lunch: 1 cup of short grain brown rice. 1 cup of kidney beans. 1/2 tablespoon of veganaise mixed with sirachi chili sauce. Some cucumber slices. One nori sheet. 1 1/2-2 cups of broccoli (microwaved) with some soy sauce. 

Snack: A handful or so of Kettle BBQ chips. 

Dinner: 1 cup of rigatoni pasta. 1/2 cup of Newman's pasta sauce. A bunch of pieces of heirloom tomatoes with olive oil, pepper and basil. (too be honest this wasn't SO vegan, because I forgot I was making this for my boyfriend with ground chicken too, and a little got in my sauce though I picked out most.

Dessert: 1 vitamuffin top (around 100 calories) topped with a drizzle of brown rice syrup and a teaspoon of vegan chocolate chips. And to be honest again, not sure those muffin tops are vegan. 

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips. Love this community!

Too many carbs from looking at tbis list.  I have same issue I am eating a lot of carb vegan foods and it is not so ggod at times.  Need much more greens. Where is the salad and Annies has a greta vegan dressing. sauce and chips also are salty.  Remember greens over beans as a choice and beans over the pasta and breads. I am fighting this too it happens. I ave lost and gained it all back. but I do feel healthy that is important.  I got a book called living vegan for dummies.  Also tapioca and potato startch turn in sugar and lots of my gluten free foods are loaded with that.  try a sweet potato.

Hi Lanore, I will tell you what I normally eat.  I eat a 10 grain hot cereal or cooked oat bran for breakfast seasoned with pumpkin pie spices (yum!) and a little agave.  I also drink green tea in the morning.  I have almonds as a snack before lunch.  At lunch I eat brown rice with a homemade stew, chili, vegetable dish (no fake meats).  I also eat a big helping of raw veggies with homemade hummus.  I have a green smoothie made of greens, veggies, and fruits between lunch and dinner.  At dinner we eat much the same main meals as at lunch.  We have pumpernickel bread with dinner if we are having a soup (does not spike blood sugar like other bread).  For a snack later we have a little piece of dark chocolate or toasted bread with nut butter.  Good luck!

By the way, the green smoothies do wonders for the "backed up" problem!  If made in a blender, and not a juicer, you retain all of that great fiber!

Definitely more veg (a lot more veg!) and more whole grains instead of processed flour. For a couple of weeks cut out the muffins and bread completely. Stick to brown rice, oats, quinoa, millet, etc. Start with a bit of fruit for breakfast, and after you eat the fruit, eat your oatmeal, or whatever you have. Avoid processed foods as much as you can. You can find a lot of great recipes for whole grains out there. Once you have spent some time trying out different whole grains you will most likely find you really enjoy them. After a couple of weeks you'll also have a lot more energy!

Lanore-
LOL I just posted basically the same thing you did hahaha.  I'm having the same problem- I posted what I was eating too- I think it's because I'm eating too many seeds/nuts and carbohydrates as well- not enough protein or vege's but it's great to hear the feedback from everyone!

Haha Jess! I am going to go checkout your post now ;)

I am going to use what someone said above- greens before beans, beans before grains- what an easy way to remember!

For me, increasing protein and reducing carbs would be great. Though, I still balance vegetables and meat as much as possible and also fruits which gives me boost of energy. Every morning, I wouldn't miss a green salad and a cup of lemon tea.

Do you eat meat? Are you a flirting vegan. Because of my food intolerances and gluten issues and nut free issues I was wndering about going back to like a bit of fish or turkey a couple times of week to have more protein and dump more carbs. I walk all the time and run and I am gaining weight rather then losing. I am carb heavy to get in calories I can only eat so many salads a day.

This is really interesting.  Many of you seem to be gaining weight with the vegan diet.  I lost weight (just 5-10 lbs.), but that was totally w/o trying and I actually wasn't happy about it at first since I was thin to begin with (I've since made my peace with it and like my new size).  But anyway....I've enjoyed reading what you all eat that seems to make you gain weight.  Maybe I'll add some of that into my diet!!  But I'll also share what I eat, since maybe it'll help some of you have the same result I've had - losing weight w/o even trying! 

Breakfast - oatmeal (1/2 cup quick rolled oats, with about 1/3 cup oat bran, boiled on the stove), with blueberries (fresh if I have them, or frozen), brown rice syrup, flax sprinkles (powder), cinnamon, and a tad maple syrup (grade B I think, natural).

Snacks - fresh fruit (apples and grapes mostly), Luna bars on occasion (they have tons of B12!), raw nuts (cashews mostly), sometimes Edamame with goji berries (I just found the mix at the store...pretty good).

Lunch - Varies, and depends if I'm home or at work.  Some possibilities are: noodles (udon are my fave!!) with zucchini/squash, banana w/ peanut butter (natural), "chicken salad" from the Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, brown rice with steamed veggies (usually bok choy), or sometimes a sandwich w/ some fake meat, vegenaise, spinach leaves, tomato, avacado (whatever of that I have). 

Dinner - Noodles often (what can I say, I love noodles!), with some kind of vegetable. Or soup...I'm a big fan. I'll make a big pot of it and dip out a bowl-ful for a week!

Desserts - I generally still do eat some sweet thing after lunch, and sometimes after dinner.  This can be either raspberry fig "newtons" (vegan and organic), homemade vegan cookies or peanut butter pie, or vegan ice cream. 

Sometimes I'll enjoy a cup of teeccino with agave nectar, cinnamon, a dash of vanilla extract, or some hot tea.  *** Also, I almost always stop eating at least 1-2 hours before I go to bed, sometimes 3 if I can. 

I have gained more weight this week it is getting out of hand ans I cit back on more carbs and sugars. I am getting frustrated as I now need to big bigger clothes. Help.

Kat have you tried eating more raw veggies and fruit? Also, do you drink a lot of juice or soda of some sort?

No I do not eat fruit or juice or soda coffee tea. I am fructose Malabsorption and can not eat a lot, like no beans and nuts and wheats and fruits are all bad. I was eating almond ice cream this week maybe that is the issue. I work out all the time.