Low-carbing as a Vegetarian

sarahbethfit233

So, every diet that I see that's low carb seems to be predominantly meat. Which would be great except I'm a vegetarian. Unfortunately, I didn't realize how high carb my diet was until I started trying to cut them out. Any suggestions on food that I can eat, especially on the go, that isn't going to cost me a fortune?

staceypunk

Tofu is low carb. Also, some of the Morning star type products are low carb and high in protein but also have a ton of sodium.

GODfidence

If you're a vegetarian you CANT go low carb considering
That is mainly what fruits and vegetables are comprised of.
Carbs are minimally important anyways.
Calories in<calories out= weight loss, no matter
If you're, low carb,low fat,low protein,low whatever just eat
Less than you burn.

TheNewDodge

Eggs. Cheese. Tofu. Enjoy

sarahbethfit233

Yeah that's the thing, I noticed that most meat substitutes like Morningstar Farms had a ton of sodium. : / sad day!

BaconMD

Is this serious?

eep223

If I was you (and obviously I don't know your reasons for doing this), I would focus more on better carbs, rather than fewer carbs. I think you'll be fine if you eat a lot of whole grains, brown rice, brown pasta, etc. It seems to me that since you are already limiting your diet, it could be hard to keep a varied diet without carbs. But as I say, I don't know your reasons.

OkieTink

lol. So...what the hell would you eat?

sarahbethfit233

As for the "are you serious" thing, yes, I've been a vegetarian since I was like 8 years old, not even for health reasons. But I am trying to limit my carb intake to healthy carbs like fruits and veggise and try to eliminate most processed sugars. I am trying to get leaner, and while I'm building muscle I'd like to lose fat as well.

yarwell

Nuts !

Choose the low carb ones like almonds - a cup of almonds is over 800 calories but only 14g of net carbs (of which 6 are sugars).
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3085/2

Alphastate

First, good for you for staying disciplined for so long! I'm going on 8 years now. I use protein shakes as my main low carb, high protein food. All the meatless products do have a ton of sodium, honestly something I just had to get over. I try to limit my sodium intake throughout the day in anticipation of those higher sodium meatless meals I usually have for dinner.

jennontheroad

I am taking Vega protein powder, it is vegan and all natural.
I also eat cottage cheese.

Akimajuktuq

If you think eating processed low carb, vegetarian food is healthy (or even ethical) then fly at it. Good luck. Otherwise, you should accept that vegetarian diets are high in carbs. My diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, low in carbs. I rely on animal foods to do that and I do it for health. Strange, but true.

(Nevermind. If your goal is to weigh 95 pounds then I'm not sure health is your primary focus.)

Herohorse

Quest bars are a great vegetarian protein, on-the-go snack/ meal sub. I am also a low-carbing vegetarian. I took me some time to figure how to adjust my routine to it.

Sargento's low fat mozzarella sticks are low-fat, low-cal and highish protein.

Chocolate Covered Katie has a Protein Tofu French Fries. They are tasty, and if you can tolerate tofu well, they are great vegan protein traveling snack.

Dry roasted unsalted soybeans from Now Foods are also great all around snack...

I hope this helps!

sarahliftsUP

Hello fellow veggie!
Tofu, tempeh, protein power (vega sport choc-a-lot is really good), seitan, eggs, greek yogurt, cottage cheese if you can handle the texture!

I've tried low carb before and it worked -- but I was super cranky and found myself to have really low energy levels. I just make sure to eat carbs within reason - fruits, vegetables, quinoa, rolled oats, brown rice, ezekiel bread, black beans, chick peas, etc! But yeah, just do what works best for you.

MeganJohnsonMiller

I'm a Vegetarian too (by choice) - I tend to stick with as much homemade food as I can. As long as you're getting some type of exercise I wouldn't worry about your carb intake (unless you're eating massive amounts of pasta and breads). You need carbs so your body can function - especially if you're burning a lot of calories through work-outs! I'm gluten free because of allergies, so some options are: I will premake quinoa early in the week and just mix it with salads, grilled veggies and tofu throughout the week for meals. For snacks I will stick with homemade hummus with cucumbers and celery or raw almonds or a vegan bar (I like the Go Raw Pumpkin Bar and the Gluten Free Cafe Lemon Sesame Bar). I also make mini polenta cakes that I can eat cold or hot, depending on if I'm in a rush. They're delicious with mozzarella!

Ignore the negative comments on here, too - some people can't help that they're miserable and mean. Stick with what works for you! Good luck!

Alphastate

If you think eating processed low carb, vegetarian food is healthy (or even ethical) then fly at it. Good luck. Otherwise, you should accept that vegetarian diets are high in carbs. My diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, low in carbs. I rely on animal foods to do that and I do it for health. Strange, but true.

(Nevermind. If your goal is to weigh 95 pounds then I'm not sure health is your primary focus.)

Ethical? Really? I can't help but notice a condescending tone. How ethical is it to make comments like this on a vegetarian's post if you're not one?

MeganJohnsonMiller

If you think eating processed low carb, vegetarian food is healthy (or even ethical) then fly at it. Good luck. Otherwise, you should accept that vegetarian diets are high in carbs. My diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, low in carbs. I rely on animal foods to do that and I do it for health. Strange, but true.

(Nevermind. If your goal is to weigh 95 pounds then I'm not sure health is your primary focus.)

Ethical? Really? I can't help but notice a condescending tone. How ethical is it to make comments like this on a vegetarian's post if you're not one?

AGREED. There are countless arguments that show a vegetarian diet is actually much healthier than one filled with MEAT. Strange, but true.

RawCarrots

Just replying so I can follow this thread

While I'm not a vegetarian I really don't like meat and eat it rarely. I'm not trying to go low carb but trying to cut down on carbs a bit and increase protein, it's really hard! I don't even meet my default MFP macros, let alone get 1g protein per lb body weight.

Tried eating more eggs but got sick of them after two days, haven't been able to look at another egg for few weeks now. Tried eating nuts but fat is so high I go over on that, plus calories are quite high for amount of food you get, so I'm still hungry afterwards. I'm eating lentils and yogurt, and that's about it at the moment:blushing: Will be following this for more ideas!

sarahbethfit233

If you think eating processed low carb, vegetarian food is healthy (or even ethical) then fly at it. Good luck. Otherwise, you should accept that vegetarian diets are high in carbs. My diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, low in carbs. I rely on animal foods to do that and I do it for health. Strange, but true.

(Nevermind. If your goal is to weigh 95 pounds then I'm not sure health is your primary focus.)

Ethical? Really? I can't help but notice a condescending tone. How ethical is it to make comments like this on a vegetarian's post if you're not one?

Agreed. As far as the actual weight loss thing, I'm less concerned with a number and more concerned with the way that it looks on my body. I have a small frame; I'm 5'2 and a half or 5'3, so even a little extra weight shows. I'm not looking to starve myself; on the contrary I am trying to do this as healthily as possible. I am a commercial model and for that reason, my look is my job. I have to stay toned and fit as part of my job, which can be harder being a veg simply because carbs are an easy go-to source of food. Although saving the animals is not my primary reason for being a vegetarian, I support those who do that, and I support people who eat meat. It's your personal decision. But I'm not going to sit and lecture people about their diets/ life decisions.

JenniTheVeggie

I am LOWER carb and vegetarian. My diary is open to friends and I log every sip and bite.

rml_16

Why do you think you need to go low carb?

Shutterbugfever

Interesting "low carb as a vegetarian" ~ Since my last pregnancy meat I just can't do. I really don't like the taste anymore. So I have been trying to learn and go vegetarian not always do I succeed. I want to be healthier and leaner and change my life style. I have been working out 5 days week and trying to walk every day an hour (3.5 miles) a day. I have not been losing anything. Not inches nor weight.... I eat beans (black bean burgers and such) veggies and fruits. Someone mentioned high carbs from my items and I haven't ever thought to much about that.. BUT maybe that is the case? I'm not eating back my work out calories and my daily calories are 1200 sometimes I hit them and others I am below them.... Do you all think I should look more into low carb vegetarian diet? What the heck am I going to eat???????

Alphastate

Interesting "low carb as a vegetarian" ~ Since my last pregnancy meat I just can't do. I really don't like the taste anymore. So I have been trying to learn and go vegetarian not always do I succeed. I want to be healthier and leaner and change my life style. I have been working out 5 days week and trying to walk every day an hour (3.5 miles) a day. I have not been losing anything. Not inches nor weight.... I eat beans (black bean burgers and such) veggies and fruits. Someone mentioned high carbs from my items and I haven't ever thought to much about that.. BUT maybe that is the case? I'm not eating back my work out calories and my daily calories are 1200 sometimes I hit them and others I am below them.... Do you all think I should look more into low carb vegetarian diet? What the heck am I going to eat???????

You definitely need to up the calories. 1200 is the bare minimum for non-workout days. The low carb thing may not be suitable for you depending on your goals. The OP is a model. Low carb diets seem more suitable in that profession. I would try to hit 40% carbs at least.

Shutterbugfever

So think I should just up my calories per day higher and try to keep eating like I am? I'm just frustrated i'm not losing anything.

Alphastate

Yeah, maybe going up to 1500 on workout days. It all depends on your goals. I would see results in my clients when I started them on a 40-40-20 breakdown, carbs to protein to fat.

hezro

I'm a lifelong vegetarian and not sure that I have any new suggestions to add. I've been trying to eat an egg every morning to get protein right from the get-go. I've always done a lot of beans and nuts. Lately I've been using tofu a lot too. I've recently started drinking chocolate milk as a post work-out recovery drink because apparently it has everything you need post workout.

sarahbethfit233

So think I should just up my calories per day higher and try to keep eating like I am? I'm just frustrated i'm not losing anything.

I've noticed that if I'm not careful, I don't eat as much as I should some days and if I do that for awhile, my weight just plateaus. When I started lifting and working out more, I started eating a lot more, and initially I gained a little bit of weight but as soon as I started switching up my workouts, my body got really used to the amount I was eating. Black beans, while yummy, I'm assuming are really good for you anyway. So if you're trying to cut out carbs, maybe cut out more processed sugars/ breads but keep all your veggies and tofu and whole grain pastas, etc. That's what sucks about being a veg sometimes lol it's hard to find things you can eat that are nutritious that will actually keep you full sometimes

kimosabe1

everyone on low carb plans fail and are bigger once they finish... Maintain carbs, just lower them gradually.... Don't go under 100 grams a day or u will end up a fat ars....

Harder_Better_Faster_Stronger

You've fallen into the low carb trap. Carbs are not bad for you if theyre from fruits and vegetables. The reason why so many people say they lose weight eating low carb is because the carbs they normally ate were potato chips and cookies. Of course you'll lose weight when you limit those items.

BaconMD

5'2" with a 95lb goal... low-carb vegetarian... you can't see why this is hard to take seriously?

best of luck...