UK specific vegetarian meat substitutes

[UrbanGypsy]

Hiya

Isn't it always the way... you join a forum with nothing to say, then two questions come along at once! :rolleyes: I'll stick to the heading question for now though...

I know this could go on the vegetarian forum, but I was specifically looking for UK advice/information on this one...

I've only been on the Atkins diet less than a week, so I'm still learning as I go along about calculating carbohydrate content. But running things like quorn, Linda Mac sausages, sosmix, burgamix, etc through the carbohydrate calculator at http://www.lowcarb.ca/low-carb-tools/ is coming up with some very depressing results...

Am I doing it wrong?! There doesn't seem to be anything from the vegetarian meat substitute range which isn't high in carbohydrate! The only option left is tofu... which I never manage to cook right and my fiance won't eat anyway!

So what do folk who can't or won't eat meat or fish (for the semi or non vegetarians, I'll repeat... no meat or fish! ;) ) in their diet find are the best vegetarian meat substitute products available in the UK?

[LittleAnne]

Hi Urban Gypsy

I'm not a vegetarian, but when looking for carb content on manufactured food I always go to the Sainsbury or Tesco online websites. These often give you information on the the products which include a carb, calorie, protein, fat breakdown. These can also be used for staples like vegetables and fruit, as well.

There are vegetarian recipes on this forum which I hope you have looked at. You might want to do a search, using the little globe in the top bar to see if you can find suitable recipes in peoples journals.

I made a wonderful cauliflower cheese recently which was just cooked cauliflower in mascapone cheese and then baked in the oven, and grilled with cheese on top. I froze the other portions.

Atkins is much harder for vegetarians and so it is a good idea to ensure that you are taking the nutritional supplements to ensure that you are getting all that you need.

[UrbanGypsy]

Hi Anne

Thank you so much for taking the trouble to suggest all those things; that was really kind - and very helpful - of you. :)

I have to admit, thus far I'm really not finding it difficult coming up with meals... Oh let's be honest, I'm actually having fantastic fun with my cooking for the first time in years! Vegetarian or not, I'm sure I'm not the first to find that!

The only thing I was finding tricky to calculate was the best options for specific meat substitutes. Since then I've reread your article on carb counting in the UK, and much mystery has been solved! I was relying on the hidden carbs counter up till then and coming up with some very strange results.

Thanks to you I'm finding it so much easier to work out how much of what I can have... and have shocking pink ketostix to reassure me I'm getting something right! :lol:

I do wonder if you realize just how much inspiration you offer people though... A very rare gift to have. :)

[SarahWeb]

I am not a veggie by any means - but yum Anne I was thinking about how best to make cauliflower cheese and bang there it is in your post... :D I will be making that this weekend (still can't quite grab that I can eat things like that now!)

and yes I second the inspiration

[Vanilla]

I used to buy a smoked tofu in tins years ago which was delicious. It didn't need cooking - can't seem to find it now though!

[Ebbie.B]

Anne's cauliflower cheese is yummy yummy yummy:yum:
I didn't think it would be the same with out the old cheese sauce mix, but this is even better!!

[LittleAnne]

Oh Gee guys I feel humbled. Thanks for all the compliments. Anne takes a bow.
http://www.ronsguideservice.com/cart%20guy%20bowing.gif

Notice the whip to beat you when you stray from the straight and narrow! Only kidding. :lol:

[Vanilla]

I make a similar type of cauliflower cheese by mixing the cauliflower with garlic and herb Roule cheese and topping with cheddar. It's very tempting to overeat it! I also sometimes add some pancetta which has been fried till crisp [Tesco's and Sainsbury's do diced pancetta in handy little packs]. I'll have to give Anne's version a go too!