# Sandwiches Without Meat or Cheese **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 18, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239 "2017-10-18T17:18:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/21 "2017-10-18T21:35:28Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [Hummus](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/06/hummus-sandwiches-lunch-solved_n_5927718.html) (assuming you can buy it ready-made) Not to forget it’s partners of [Tabouli](http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/tabouli-2/e39cd416-c33c-4fd0-ab41-ba8979c73ae6) and [Baba ghanoush](http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/babaghanoush-2/654f85c0-da8c-4e28-93ee-90bcd4b73d01) and [Tahini](http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/tahini-sauce-salatet-tahina/422147e8-9662-48c5-b71c-087482b9e208) if you can get them ready-made. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/22 "2017-10-18T21:47:47Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > [15+ Best Vegetarian Sandwiches - Recipes for Easy Vegetarian Sandwich Ideas](http://www.delish.com/cooking/g354/vegetarian-sandwiches/)? Some of those look amazing! PB, pear, and cream cheese is on my list to try, as is the pimento cheese sandwich. Spiced tofu looks good too, I wonder how stinky tofu would work out? Otherwise, as noted above, hummus, falafel, seitan, eggplant, and mushrooms make fine sandwich ingredients. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/23 "2017-10-18T22:36:09Z")
I give you [the Sabich.](http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2016/03/sabich-sandwich-eggplant-egg-hummus-pita-recipe.html) > [@](#): > > Filled with moist slices of fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, a generous layer of creamy hummus, crunchy Israeli pickles, and Israeli salad, and drizzled with tahini sauce and amba, a pickled-mango sauce, it’s all you could want in any sandwich, and more. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/24 "2017-10-19T01:30:48Z")
Sounds fucking fabulous, **Alessan**. Do you stuff it into a pita, or what? (Oh, sorry, forgot to click the link. Of COURSE it’s in pita. I may try this tomorrow, _sans_ mango sauce…I’m not into sweet sandwiches) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/25 "2017-10-19T01:53:15Z")
Huh. I had never heard of the sabich. Sounds wonderful! Another one I only relatively recently discovered that is in the same vein of Middle Eastern pita sandwiches (although doesn’t apply in this thread because it contains meat) is basically the same idea as this or falafel, except with chicken schnitzel providing the protein component. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/26 "2017-10-19T06:19:08Z")
Wow, I really didn’t expect this many responses, thanks everybody! I do, of course, know of good ol’ PB&J, I just forgot to mention it (also it gets old fast). > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > There are also cheeses made from rice or soy that are a fairly good substitute for dairy cheese. Not sure how readily available they are elsewhere but Whole Foods has them. For reasons I refuse to elaborate upon, I’d rather not shop at Whole Foods, but I’ll check elsewhere. > [@Colibri](#): > > [Hummus](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/06/hummus-sandwiches-lunch-solved_n_5927718.html) (assuming you can buy it ready-made) would make a decent sandwich." How could I forget about hummus? I’ve been making hummus and cheddar quesadillas for years! > [@Missy2U](#): > > Tuna Salad, Egg Salad - go to your store’s deli case and you’ll see they probably have a lot of premade salads like that that you can buy by the pound (or portion thereof). Thanks for the suggestion, but plant-based means no tuna, no eggs, not mayo. At least, until I’ve eaten all the tuna, eggs, and mayo I’ve got. I was brought up not to waste food, after all. > [@Missy2U](#): > > Actually, there are a ton of them on google - vegetarian sandwhiches. Here’s one that looks really good: > > [15+ Best Vegetarian Sandwiches - Recipes for Easy Vegetarian Sandwich Ideas](http://www.delish.com/cooking/g354/vegetarian-sandwiches/)? > A lot of the ingredients used can be purchased premade. Thanks for the link, I’ll check it out. > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I’m extremely fond of roasted vegetable and goat cheese ciabattas. So damn good. > > [goat cheese and roasted vegetable sandwich - Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?q=goat+cheese+and+roasted+vegetable+sandwich&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjMn-axgvvWAhWBw4MKHZmpD9gQ_AUICigB&biw=1866&bih=1048#imgrc=0Fy9h19wEPAjWM:) I like roasted vegetables, but because I spend an absurd amount of hours at work, it’s really not something I have time for, unless I cook up a bunch ahead of time for dinner. I suppose I could just make more and use some for sandwiches, but then I’d be having the same thing for lunch and dinner and that just doesn’t sit right with me. > [@Alessan](#): > > I give you [the Sabich.](http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2016/03/sabich-sandwich-eggplant-egg-hummus-pita-recipe.html) That sounds good! Even without the egg, it seems to be just what I was looking for. Speaking of avocados, they’ll definitely feature in my future lunch plans! I even know enough about basic, child-level, you-really-ought-to-know-this-before-you-can-drive-a-car knife safety that I won’t cut my hand open. When it comes to veggie burgers and other faux meat, I’m not interested. Whenever I’ve been presented with something that isn’t meat pretending to be meat I’ve been disappointed. But I have been quite satisfied with things like spicy black bean patties. Again, thanks everyone for helping me become the best version of me. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/27 "2017-10-19T07:22:31Z")
Mayo is almost a must have for happy sandwich making, barring such goodies as hummus, etc. So I thought I’d mention Veganaise. You might want to check it out for those times when a sandwich really needs mayo. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/28 "2017-10-19T11:00:39Z")
Marmite/vegemite. Also, [chip butties](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_butty). But not if the goal is weight loss 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/29 "2017-10-19T11:11:16Z")
Nm ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/30 "2017-10-19T12:26:54Z")
Really, I’m surprised you think excluding meat, fish and dairy is a good way to weight loss. A hummus and bread sandwich, for example, is REALLY fattening. And let’s not even go near peanut butter and Jelly. Cutting out fish makes no sense to me - it’s exceptionally good for you, and things like white fish and prawns are practically free food from a diet perspective. You should really be cutting down on carbs/sugars (sorry sandwiches) and would do much better looking at lean meat and fish in smaller portions with veg/salads than switching to really starchy, fattening non-meat options (falafel wraps! Honestly people, it’s death on a plate for dieters). Really think you should be looking into healthy-eating diet options, such as weight watchers, which teach you good eating habits for life, not a faddie ‘cut out this random food’ diet. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/31 "2017-10-19T14:54:53Z")
My mom loved green pepper/peanut butter sandwiches :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Plumpudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Plumpudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumpudding)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/32 "2017-10-19T15:06:42Z")
What about high protein, low fat cheeses? Lean meats, like rabbit? Is fish okay? Leftover fish on a sandwich is nice. Lentils go well with salad. What kind of bread are you using? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/33 "2017-10-19T15:18:19Z")
> [@Plumpudding](#): > > What about high protein, low fat cheeses? Lean meats, like rabbit? Is fish okay? Leftover fish on a sandwich is nice. Lentils go well with salad. What kind of bread are you using? Even high protein stuff like ham and turkey is low in calories and satisfying. I wouldn’t go with a veggie sandwich diet to lose weight myself (especially given the carb component of both–I _gained_ weight when I did vegetarian due to circumstances for a spell) but, hey, the OP’s asking about sandwiches without meat and cheese that don’t require an extraordinary amount of prep. For me, I’d go the hummus and veggies route, like many mentioned here. Heck, make your own refried beans (or, wait, you can just buy them), and use that as a protein component for a bean, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, etc. torta/sandwich. Or make it into a wrap with a wheat tortilla, if we’re flexible about the definition of “sandwich.” As an omnivore, I find those quite satisfying, especially if some extra spicy salsa or pickled hot peppers are added to it. That’s another thing–I do find spicy foods help to keep me sated for a bit longer, too. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/34 "2017-10-19T15:19:47Z")
There are a lot of ways you can go with this; of course you have to find what works for you. I’m pretty sure everything I’m going to mention has already been suggested in some form or another but here’s my twist on a few of them… - Why get rid of the meat and cheese? Try getting rid of the bread. A few months ago I stopped bringing sandwiches to work, and instead I now bring a couple of cheese sticks with a slice of turkey around it; and a toothpick to hold it while it’s in my lunch bag. - Why not make a sandwich just without meat and cheese? Back when I would go to Fuddrucker’s (build your own hamburger place) a friend of mine would just order the toasted bun; and build an awesome sandwich from the huge selection of veggies they offered; lettuce, pickles, onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, etc. When he was done it would be as thick as my hamburger. - Don’t cut out the meat; cut out the calories. A general rule of thumb that someone told me once is that white mean is half the calories of red meat, and fish is half the calories of white meat. In other words; stay away from processed meat; pre bake a bunch of chicken breasts the night before and put them in the fridge in a baggie. Make a sandwich out of a chicken breast, use an alternative to mayo and cheese; and again, load up on the sandwich veggies. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/35 "2017-10-19T15:43:22Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > A hummus and bread sandwich, for example, is REALLY fattening. And let’s not even go near peanut butter and Jelly. Natural peanut butter isn’t fattening. It’s all the other stuff that they dump in most store-bought PB that’s fattening - sugar, corn syrup, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. I only buy natural PB. I eat PB&J sandwiches frequently, and eat a few ounces of PB straight from the jar almost every evening as a bedtime snack. If it were fattening, I would’ve blimped out long ago. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/36 "2017-10-19T15:56:50Z")
Two tablespoons of pure peanut butter with no additives has 190 calories, almost 10% of a day’s calorie allotment for the average guy. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/37 "2017-10-19T16:09:57Z")
If you’re trying to lose weight, don’t eat a sandwich every day. Once or twice a week is OK, but too much bread!! The Mexican place I like to go to makes a killer chicken salad, and I often get that. It’s grilled, skinless chicken and tastes great. If you must do a sandwich, do open face, and putting a little chicken on it isn’t going to kill your diet. Try avocados, tomatoes, and/or onions, too. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/38 "2017-10-19T16:24:26Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Two tablespoons of pure peanut butter with no additives has 190 calories, almost 10% of a day’s calorie allotment for the average guy. Maybe if you’re sedentary or especially skinny. 2500 is closer to what is needed for the average man. And 190 is fine, especially if it’s stuff that will keep you satisfied for awhile, as foods with high fat content tend to be. Years back when I needed to take 30 pounds off, I actually had a McDonald’s double cheeseburger most every day for lunch (420 calories) and only that (no fries, just water or diet drinks for liquid), as it kept me completely satisfied until dinner, and my calorie goal for the day was 2000 calories (when I went from 200 to 170 lbs). Peanut butter had a similar effect on me. You just have to find what works for you. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/39 "2017-10-19T16:31:41Z")
Sometimes I do a cucumber sub for lunch. Slice a cucumber in half and scoop out the seeds to make a little boat, layer in meat, cheese, and some veggies and eat that for lunch. The cucumber is surprisingly satisfying as a bread substitute and you still get to have the tasty filling. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239/40 "2017-10-19T17:41:40Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Maybe if you’re sedentary or especially skinny. 2500 is closer to what is needed for the average man. > > And 190 is fine, especially if it’s stuff that will keep you satisfied for awhile, as foods with high fat content tend to be. Years back when I needed to take 30 pounds off, I actually had a McDonald’s double cheeseburger most every day for lunch (420 calories) and only that (no fries, just water or diet drinks for liquid), as it kept me completely satisfied until dinner, and my calorie goal for the day was 2000 calories (when I went from 200 to 170 lbs). Peanut butter had a similar effect on me. You just have to find what works for you. It’s funny, high fat foods have never seemed to keep me satisfied any longer than anything else. About six weeks ago though I started eating a plant-based diet similar (but not all the way there yet) to the way Tom Brady eats, and along with that I began hydrating similar to the way he does as well and it’s made all the difference. I carry a water bottle with me all the time and drink between 64 and 100 ounces every day, and as a result I don’t get hungry at all between meals and haven’t missed sweets or any of the other things I used to eat which are prohibited on the type of diet I’m on now. I’ve always heard that drinking a lot of water will keep you from getting hungry but I never believed it. It’s been a welcome revelation to discover that it’s true. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandwiches-without-meat-or-cheese/799239.md?page=3)