How could you eat badly as a vegetarian, according to the following Dr.?

The link is only a quick intro, it doesn’t discuss his philosophies or approaches to nutrition, vegetarian or otherwise. Without more, your Q makes no sense.

Being vegetarian does not, in and of itself, mean you are eating in a healthy manner. Lots and lots of unhealthily processed foods are vegetarian.

Any dietary choices can be irresponsible and unhealthful. To illustrate, here’s a list of some vegan foods:

Alcoholic beverages
Soft drinks and “fruit” drinks
Almost all breads
Pasta
Granola bars
Almost all candy (except milk chocolate)
Sorbet
Potato chips, pretzels, and many snack foods
French fries

There are plenty more vegan items that are packed with calories, sugar, fat, or sodium, and that have little or no nutritional value. Still other choices, such as meat substitutes and frozen meals, are loaded with fillers and preservatives.

Not all vegetarian or vegan foods are created equal, and they’re not all healthful. Just like anyone else, a vegetarian needs to balance food choices and pick the right options. It’s very possible for someone to be a committed vegan or vegetarian, following the letter of the law stridently, yet eat very badly.

^Yes. Pastas, and essentially carb loaded foods, are unhealthy in large quantities. Sugars too, but it depends on the level of vegetarian. Some only eat raw sugar, so that takes lots of sugary foods off their menu.

The misconception is that vegetarians live off of pasta, bread and meat substitutes. The most important thing to remember is that while the foods above listed are “vegan” they aren’t real food (no one should be eating a lot of that stuff.) Don’t forget that fruits, vegetables, legumes are vegan. A true vegetarian or vegan eats mainly vegetables and all natural earth grown foods. I NEVER eat meat substitutes or tofu. I also rarely have candy, potato chips, or soft drinks- only as a treat once in a while. It is very possible to have a balanced diet and not eat meat. I do believe there are some people who claim to be vegetarian and only eat tofu hotdogs, mac n cheese and French fries – they give us a bad name!

@TheGirlInterrupted, while I admire your dedication to good health with your choice of lifestyle, your presuming to speak for “true vegetarians” is a little presumptuous. There are a great many vegetarians who don’t eat meat, fowl or fish solely because they are animals, not for purposes of better health.
A large number of vegetarians and vegans either are ignorant of, or refuse to acknowledge that their choice of nutrition also directly results in the slaughter of large numbers of animals, they just don’t eat them.
Personally I think passing judgement on how another vegetarian eats is just being disingenuous. Eat what you want, but criticizing someone else? Nope. Nopity nope nope nope.

@canidmajor

I’m saying that you can be a healthy vegetarian if your diet consists wholly of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, not solely “tofu hotdogs, mac n cheese and French fries.” I’m not criticizing someone who eats like that I just don’t think that means you are vegetarian and I do not think that is healthy. Opinions don’t always mean you are judging.

Definition of vegetarian
1 : a person who does not eat meat : someone whose diet consists wholly of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and sometimes eggs or dairy products

@TheGirlInterrupted, tofu hotdogs, mac n cheese and french fries contain NO meat. Your very response to my post is judgemental (not simply differing in opinion).

“I do believe there are some people who claim to be vegetarian and only eat tofu hotdogs, mac n cheese and French fries – they give us a bad name!” indicates a high level of criticism. We, as a society, are so many decades into vegetarianism that no one will think badly of you if someone else eats differently and also refers to themself as “vegetarian”.

The problem is less about defining a term with prejudice and more about sustainability and an affordable, healthy, food supply.

@ canidmajor Chill out. I responded politely. We are off topic and you are missing my point. I’m done explaining myself. I am not judging anyone and you do not need to get so worked up.