21 Low-Carb Vegan Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is it possible to be vegan and low carb? ›

Vegetarian and vegan diets can be heavy in carbs, from grains, bread, starchy vegetables, and fruits. However, following a low-carb vegetarian or vegan diet is entirely possible.

Often, vegetarian and certainly vegan diets are higher in carbohydrates than those that include more animal protein. However, studies have found that after adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet, glycemic control often improves, and in many cases, patients can decrease or discontinue their diabetes medication.

I highly recommend having a mixture of grains, protein, and vegetables — it provides a great balance not only with flavor/bulk but also texture. Grains and legumes help keep the meal filling while the vegetables bring everything together. Spicy-Peanut Portobello Kale Rice Bowl – Healthy.

Peanuts and almonds are going to give you the best bang for your buck when it comes to nuts and protein. Seeds are another great way to boost protein without a ton of extra work.

Both keto and plant-based have been shown to help with weight loss and in the short-term, keto wins for overall pounds lost. However, when it comes to fat loss, sustainable weight loss and compliance, nutrient-density, and overall health benefits, a plant-based diet comes out on top.

Focus on Whole Foods: Encourage individuals to prioritize whole, unprocessed plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. These nutrient-dense options are lower calorie density and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, supporting weight loss and overall health.

50-100 grams per day: This should lead to automatic weight loss, and is a good maintenance range for people who don't exercise that much. 20-50 grams per day: With a carb intake this low, you should lose weight quickly without experiencing much hunger. This carb range should put you into ketosis.

One final pitfall of the vegan diet that can affect people with diabetes, in particular, is that it's easy to overdo it on the carbs, which can affect your blood sugar levels. Plant foods tend to be higher in carbs than animal foods, so a vegan diet will naturally be higher in carbs than an omnivorous diet.

Healthful foods that are high in protein, fiber, or both tend to be filling. Rich sources of protein for vegans include foods such as soybeans, pulses, and some nuts and seeds. Oats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruit are all good sources of fiber.

Lack of Specific Vitamin and Minerals

A side effect of both a highly processed vegan diet and under eating is not consuming enough vitamins and minerals to support optimal health. Poor consumption of vitamins and minerals is not limited to these two factors, however.

Why do I feel so hungry on a vegan diet? ›

Because vegan diets are more nutrient dense than calorically dense (meaning, you eat many nutrient rich plant foods with lower amounts of calories per serving), it is normal to feel hungry more frequently than non-vegans or non-vegetarians.

Vegans can reach ketosis by relying on high-fat, plant-based products like coconut oil, avocados, seeds and nuts. The vegan keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat, moderate-protein diet that excludes all animal-based foods.

However, with some careful keto meal planning, vegans can also reap the benefits of the keto lifestyle. With the exception of eggs and dairy, keto vegans can enjoy all the foods listed above along with the following “vegan” options: Coconut provides a healthy dose of satiating fat.

On this diet, you aim for 75%-80% of your calories to come from fat, 10%-20% from protein, and 5%-10% from carbs. To achieve this balance, you focus on eating high-fat vegan foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, and coconut and olive oils. You'll restrict grains and foods made with them, such as bread and pasta.

However, carbohydrate quality is very important in building a high quality vegan or vegetarian diet. High quality carbohydrates contain many essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, which all contribute to your good overall health.