Low Carb Vegetarian Diet

The low carb diet is one of the most popular diets plans today. It not only helps to lose weight, but, is also helpful for diabetics to maintain a proper sugar level. A high protein low carb diet, as the name suggests, advocates exclusion of excess carbohydrates from the foods and inclusion of proteins and fibers, instead. Carbohydrates are found in all the foods made from grains like breads, pasta, rice and sweets and vegetables like potatoes, yams, etc. When following this diet, one is advised to include meat, eggs, fish and fibers in the diet, as it does not contain carbohydrates. However, is it possible to substitute meat, eggs and fish and follow a low carb vegetarian diet? Well, the answer is, Yes!

Low Carb Vegetarian Foods

As aforementioned, in this diet, people are advised to focus more on the meats and sea food as it does not contain carbohydrates at all. These foods also contain high amounts of proteins. However, if you are a vegetarian, you might wish to look for vegan options for the same.

• Vegetables and Fruits: Nearly all the vegetables and fruits are low in carbohydrates and can be included in the vegan diet.
• Dairy Products: Most of the dairy products are high in proteins and lack carbohydrates. Milk, soy milk, cheese, tofu, butter and yogurt contain good amounts of proteins.
• Soy Products: Soy is an excellent substitute for most of the meat products. Soy and tofu do not contain carbohydrates and hence, can be included in this diet. Soy sandwiches, tofu products, soy curry are popular substitutes for meat in many parts of the world. Tofu is also a good vegan source of proteins and hence, can be included in this diet.
• Vegan Options: Most of us may not be aware, but, there are several vegan options for your favorite meat types available in the market. You can replace your deli and sausages with vegan sausages and vegan deli. These vegan meat substitutes are actually made using soy and hence, can be included in the vegetarian diet menu.
• Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds are also foods that are low in carbs. These can be added as ingredients, or can also be consumed as snacks, even by those suffering from diabetes.

You can also include vegetable soups, salads, burritos, mushroom salads, fresh fruits and yogurt with fruits in your daily menu for meals. In place of a burger, you can simply have patties or cutlets with your favorite dip to avoid eating bread. You can include fat free butter, low fat cheese and cream in your meals and desserts. If you are tempted to have pasta or wheat products, you can have a vegetable tortilla or a pasta with lots of vegetables. Try to include more vegetables and less amounts of pasta to make it a low carb food. If you consider egg as a vegan option, you can include all the different variations of egg dishes in your diet.

Based on these foods, you can look out for different recipes and also make your own inventions. As there are so many alternatives for meat, one can surely follow a healthy and a filling low carb vegan diet. Take care!