The complete vegetarian: Here's the skinny on weight management for vegetarians.

Byline: Pam Smith O'Hara

Think all vegetarians are skinny? Think again.

I suppose if we weren't adding sour cream and cheese to the beans and rice, ice cream to the juicy peaches and hollandaise sauce to the fresh asparagus, we might be.

When I first quit eating meat, I ate cheese sandwiches from morning until night _ and gained 10 pounds in no time. After a couple of nutrition classes, I figured out how to eat and drop the extra weight. But many vegetarians tend to eat more starch and sugar than vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

I browse the bookstore fascinated by all the people buying one surefire diet book after the next. If you eat less and exercise more, you lose weight. It's a pretty simple concept. Why do we need all these books?

I've received letters from readers concerned about weight gain, and I wondered how a diet business like Weight Watchers would handle a vegetarian in search of weight loss. Last year the outfit published "Down to Earth" (Weight Watchers, $12), its first vegetarian cookbook. With more than 130 recipes like Triple Cheese-Spinach Manicotti and Smoky-Soft Polenta with Braised Bell Peppers, you won't feel the least bit deprived.

The Web site www.weightwatchers.com features a "Tips Sheet" for vegetarians. Members have access to a vegetarian guide full of basic info, meal plans and recipes, including a friendly recipe swap between members. These recipes from the cookbook and Web site will give you a taste of what's in store.