21 Low-Carb Vegan Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can you be low-carb and vegan? ›

Vegetarians tend to eat other animal-derived products, including dairy, eggs, and honey, while vegans do not. 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.

This includes almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts and pumpkin seeds. Soy: Foods like tofu and tempeh are high in protein and fat, but low in carbs. This makes them acceptable on a low-carb vegetarian/vegan diet. Legumes: Some legumes, including green beans, chick peas and others.

The most commonly used protein substitute in vegan and/or vegetarian diets is tofu. Tofu is a great low carb, high protein meat alternative – one half cup contains approximately 20 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbs, and bonus, a ton of fiber.

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.

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.

A. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, celery, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes contain very few or almost no carbohydrates. The carbohydrate count ranges from 2.97 to 3.89 grams. One cup of raw kale contains 0.9 g of carbohydrates (0% DV), making it a low-carb option.

These include protein choices such as chicken breast, eggs, plain yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, and cheese, as these foods are lower in overall calories but are high in protein to aid in an increased feeling of fullness, she explained.

Food and drinks allowed on a no-carb diet include meat, fish, eggs, cheese, butter, oils, water, and plain coffee or tea. If you're less stringent, you can also eat nuts, seeds, non-starchy vegetables, and high fat fruits like avocado and coconut since these foods are low in net carbs.

Beans and Legumes

Packed with protein and fiber, beans are a nutritious choice for people on most kinds of diets. However, they and other legumes such as chickpeas and lentils are also high in carbohydrates. Eat them in moderation when on a low carb diet.

Which beans have the lowest net carbs? ›

Highest and Lowest Carb Beans

Among these, black soybeans and green beans have the lowest carbs, potentially making them better for a keto diet. On the other hand, chickpeas, pinto beans, and navy beans have high carbs. You might want to avoid these if you're strictly following a keto diet.

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. You also limit starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn, as well as beans and legumes.

A traditional vegan diet completely excludes all animal products and relies heavily on whole grains, bread, noodles, and starchy veggies…all of which are to be avoided on a keto diet. However, with some careful keto meal planning, vegans can also reap the benefits of the keto lifestyle.

Lentils, peas, chickpeas, beans and edamame

Legumes are associated with heart health, appetite control, regulating blood sugar, and weight management. On a vegan diet, you will rely on legumes as not only one of your carbohydrate sources, but also one of your main protein sources.

But upon first glance, you may have noticed that the keto diet seems to rely heavily on meat and dairy. So, what is a vegetarian or a vegan to do? Can the keto diet even work for those of us who avoid animal products? The answer is a resounding YES!

The most important concepts of a vegan diet is FOOD QUALITY, especially for carbohydrates. Your body's main energy source is carbohydrates, so they are a key part of any diet. However, carbohydrate quality is very important in building a high quality vegan or vegetarian diet.

Is it feasible to follow carb cycling as a vegan? The short answer is yes, vegans can carb cycle but because the vegan diet tends to be heavy in carbohydrates from fruit, grains and starchy vegetables it takes a little planning. But don't worry, cutting back on carbs as a vegan is not as complicated as it may seem.

Aim to get most of your daily carbohydrates from nutrient dense, unrefined carbohydrate foods such as wholemeal bread, brown rice, oats, beans, chickpeas, lentils and fruits and vegetables.