Am I eating too much Tuna? No other options!

[thunder-thighs]

I am a vegetarian (I eat fish and shellfish though) living in the UK.

Since I started Atkins, I have been eating mainly chunk light tuna fish, lots of veggies and occasionally treat myself to shrimp and scallops when they are on sale. I normally eat two cans of tuna per day.

I hate eggs! I won't eat them...the very thought of it makes me sick. So that's not an option.

When I lived in the USA I did Atkins and was able to find all sorts of meat substitute products that are low in carbs. Unfortunately, here in the UK I haven't had much luck finding vegetarian mock meat products that aren't loaded with carbs. You can't get Gardenburgers or Boca Burgers here. No Seitan. I have checked all of the grocery stores...Tesco, Sainsburys, Planet organic, Fresh and Wild, etc....all of the vegetarian products are so starchy with the exception of Quorn ham slices and Quorn bacon.

Of course, it's always going to be a bit tougher doing Atkins as a vegetarian. But now that I am in the UK, I am finding that my options are soooo limited. Regardless, I don't mind eating lots of Tuna. I like it a lot, actually. I am quite happy eating like this and I have restricted myself to two cans a day. I don't plan to get pregnant anytime in the near future. Is it ok?

As you can see I have few options....but should I even be on this plan??

[not2late]

Re: Am I eating too much Tuna? No other options!

Have you looked into tofu?

Since you eat shellfish and fish, you might want to add some variety (and lessening the lead/heavy metal exposure) by choosing other types of fishes---cod, hake, John Dory, halibut, mackerel, herring, etc.

I know if I lived in the UK, I would be loading my shopping cart with smoked haddock and kippered herrings!

[GaynorA]

Re: Am I eating too much Tuna? No other options!

Hey there - greetings to you in London from me in Newquay, Cornwall. I agree about the variety of fish. Also, not sure if you eat cheese? You could do veggie things with lotsa cheese melted on top? Luv to ya.

[garwil]

Re: Am I eating too much Tuna? No other options!

OK I'm a die hard carnivore but I used to be a fishmonger...

Do a recipe search for swordfish steak, mahi mahi, cod, haddock, trout, monkfish, sea bass, plaice, sole, king prawns, calamari, fresh sardines, salmon, hake, red mullet, crab, etc.

Try this site: http://www.cookitsimply.com/

Take the time to go to a decent fishmongers, where all this stuff will be a lot cheaper than in a supermarket. Don't forget you can buy in bulk and freeze individual portions.

Look for nice, bright, bulging eyes, firm flesh, supple skin and no brown/yellow discolouration. Also, don't forget, fresh fish doesn't smell!

Buy a decent knife to skin/fillet fish with (ask your fishmonger) or just get your fishmonger to do it.

You can also have Tofu on the Atkins, which is really good in stir fry.

Hope that helps!

[thunder-thighs]

Re: Am I eating too much Tuna? No other options!

Thanks for all the helpful replies!!!!!!!!!...I will look into trying different kinds of fish and will patronize some high street fishmongers.

And yes, cheese, I love cheese! There is a fantastic cheese shop in Covent Garden near my workplace that has great samples. I try to avoid eating too much cheese cause I think it stalls me, but a little more can't hurt!

Didn't realize I could do tofu...I'm on extended induction, can I still do tofu at this stage?

[not2late]

Re: Am I eating too much Tuna? No other options!

Tofu is the "soy cheese" mentioned in the cheese footnote of the Induction Acceptable Foods List. I was a vegetarian in the early 90s and tofu was called either tofu or "soy cheese" in cookbooks and vegetarian books from the late 60s to the early 90s. It was only around the mid-90s that tofu was called tofu---I guess it sounded more appetizing than "soy cheese". Not to mention that nowadays there are imitation cheeses made from soy and they are called "soy cheese".

[GaynorA]

Re: Am I eating too much Tuna? No other options!

Grinning ... gotta LUV those cheese samples!!

[Buddrfly]

Re: Am I eating too much Tuna? No other options!

I've been to a Mongolian Grill restaurant where they have Tofu as an option, but I've never tried it. Next time I go there, I will have to give it a try. It looks funny, but sometimes that the stuff ends up tasting great! I wasnt sure what to eat along with it though. They have a huge variety of veggies and meats to choose from. There is also a great selection of sauces...just never sure what will go best with it. I'll be brave, suck it up, and try some next time I go.

[thunder-thighs]

Re: Am I eating too much Tuna? No other options!

Oooh....I love those Mongolian grill restaurants....do they ring a gong when your food is ready? The one I used to go to in cleveland with my ex-boyfriend used to do that.


Wow! I am still surprised that I can eat my tofu! But do I count it as a cheese (no more than 4oz per day) or eat it liberally?

[Elizellen]

Re: Am I eating too much Tuna? No other options!

Wow! I am still surprised that I can eat my tofu! But do I count it as a cheese (no more than 4oz per day) or eat it liberally?

It counts as some of your 4 ounces I am afraid