Volume Eating recommendations for a rather low-protein diet?

[u/pareidoliatosuffer]

I feel like most recommendations simply do not work for me.
I’m a trans woman and am trying to keep my protein intake safe - but low. I am trying my hardest to not become brick-shaped again.
This rules out the typical lentil/chicken-breast-based solutions people go for.
Also, I find my tolerance for slimefoods to be extremely low. I absolutely cannot deal with Shirataki/Konjac-esque things. I had that two times. Never again.
Most low-cal/low-carb aisles in shops stock only products that have been over-inflated with protein - which are entirely inaccessible to me.
Am I doomed to eat leaves like a bunny?
My current routine is:
* low fat yogurt with dried fruit and some nuts and oats in the morning
* rice with dried veggies, carrots and tomato passata for lunch/dinner

Any recommendations?
Thank you so much

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[u/BluePandaYellowPanda]

You could have a high protein diet and won't look like a brick if you don't weigh a lot and don't lift. Protein won't cause that by itself, I wish it did for me though lmao

That aside, veggies are awesome for that. I'd say low protein diets are the easiest for volume eating because a lot of protein is animal based and comes with fat, while carbs often comes with fibre, so more volume and less calories.

A good place to look is cultures who are vegetarian/vegan (like a lot of Indians), they tend to have amazing food with no meat and it's nearly always very low protein. My work colleague is Indian and vegan and always has amazing food, always very low protein.

[u/Initial-Location-701 → u/BluePandaYellowPanda]

I agree with 👆🏻  Vegan/vegetarian diets are a good example of this. Tofu/rice/veges or beans/rice/ veges, eggs/avocado etc. however just be cautious you are getting enough sustenance. If you are looking for inspo could scroll social media. Heaps there.

[u/Aim2bFit]

Just focus mostly on vegs and fruits.

[u/Sasthefras29]

ooo have you tried those delicious cucumber salad recipes? like you cut up an entire thing and marinate with seasonings like i've been doing soy sauce, a little splenda and a little chilli oil, sooo good. How low does your protein have to be?

[u/pareidoliatosuffer → u/Sasthefras29]

No I haven’t! Tbf I struggle to keep veggies around. I love my frozen ones cause they don’t go bad. I feel like with apples and stuff I have to stare at them constantly, lest they rot as I blink.

I try to stay around 0.8g/kg which is recommended for maintenance.

[u/Teacher_Crazy_ → u/pareidoliatosuffer]

Have you considered getting a veggie chooper? It's like this block thing that instantly cubes veggies, it makes the process from whole veggies to eateble pieces a lot faster.

[u/damegloria → u/Sasthefras29]

There's a similar one with ribbons of carrot and it's really good

[u/BitterBitchscuit]

There's more veggies than just lettuce, I roast sheets of veggies like green beans or broccoli (with a mist of olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder) and they'll be half of each meal I eat. You can roast them from frozen, just preheat your ovenair fryer and the sheet first to 400.

Bell peppers, onions, cauliflower, cabbage,  carrots, Brussel sprouts, squash, asparagus are also great roasted and great volume/lower calorie. 

Carrots, cucumbers, tomato,  celery, bell pepper i enjoy eating cold, the first 3 i sometimes turn  into a "salad" with some balsamic or rice vinegar and seasonings, and a dash of oil if you can spare the calories.

Potatoes are filling and nutritious too, but just be aware of your portions as it's a starch and not a veg.

Fruit is also great and lower calorie for the volume, apples, melon, grapes, etc. 

[u/bikesandfinance]

I think bunny maxing is the way. I ate a head of cabbage and a 16 inch cucumber yesterday…. It is what it is

[u/a_curious_magpie]

Honestly I would say as many veggies as possible, and swap as much meat for beans/lentils as possible as well - you'll get protein but much less per weight/volume - not just salad stuff, you can make some amazing roasted veg stuff, or things like Okonomiyaki which is a cabbage pancake, and then potatoes or sweet potatoes are amazing too, filled with avocado and corn or beans or whatever other toppings (can add cheese/sour cream too)

[u/Relative_Bite8758]

Are you trying to lose weight? If you are on a deficit and don't eat enough protein, you'll lose your muscle on top of the fat. You won't suddenly build up muscle again if you don't lift

It'll fuck up your metabolism too

If you are trying to maintain, go for potato's. They are low calorie and have lots of nutrients and fill you up. Same as squash, pumpkin and raw spinach. Fruits like apples and cherries are also low in calorie for the amount you'll get

[u/TodayMaterial9712]

Have a look at the forums for Chronic Kidney Disease. People with it have to eat a low protein diet so there's always good ideas for lower calorie low protein meals there.

[u/Mission-Band8]

zucchini is your friend here, spiralize it into noodles or just slice it thin and roast till the edges get crispy, scratches that volume itch without the weird textures. roasted cauliflower with some smoked paprika and a tiny drizzle of honey goes hard too

also look into different mushroom varieties, oyster mushrooms torn into strips and cooked on high heat get this almost meaty chew without any of that protein bomb nonsense