Being vegan

konawalker
konawalker Posts: 6 Member
edited November 22 in Food and Nutrition
Is there other vegan people using this? My question is how to keep protein levels up and carbs down, when I mainly eat veggies?

Replies

  • Copaiba
    Copaiba Posts: 75 Member
    yes. Vegan here. I use MFP to track calories and protein. But I eat grains which helps. I avoid fats where I can so I don't eat a lot of nuts, though I have some cashews soaking for a cream sauce as I write this.....don't like to waste them....
    Lots of info on the web! Go to Vegan bodybuilders.
    This was a good post today, except for the eggs:
    https://www.yahoo.com/health/9-best-new-proteins-for-weight-loss-124838353758.html?soc_src=unv-sh&soc_trk=fb&fb_ref=Default
  • Copaiba
    Copaiba Posts: 75 Member
    Also google vegan ketosis. Good info for people avoiding carbs.
    I was lazy today, but usually average 55g daily protein without trying.
  • konawalker
    konawalker Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks , I visit the web often and have found great ideas. Thank you soo much nice to know others out there.
  • Carnivor0us
    Carnivor0us Posts: 1,752 Member
    Chia seeds and lentils are good sources of vegan protein without too many carbs.
  • konawalker
    konawalker Posts: 6 Member
    I do chia seeds haven't done many lentils
  • Carnivor0us
    Carnivor0us Posts: 1,752 Member
    The green lentils have the lowest carb count per serving, and highest protein and fiber.
  • z304
    z304 Posts: 84 Member
    I would focus more on bringing up your protein and less about keeping carbs down, especially if they're carbs from whole foods and not white bread or something.

    Some protein ideas: lentils (I love lentil soups, and using them in stews too- if you can find vegan spice blend for chorizo try that in lentil soup), beans (black beans, pinto beans, refried, black eyed peas...), chickpeas (chickpea curry is great), tofu, tempeh, quinoa (quinoa + black bean + green onion + cherry tomato salad with lime juice, olive oil, and cumin on it is amazing), green peas, spinach/broccoli/asparagus, edamame, oatmeal,
    hemp hearts, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, & nuts too...
  • Strawblackcat
    Strawblackcat Posts: 944 Member
    edited July 2015
    Beans have protein, but they also have a fairly large amount of carbs. That said, they also have a lot of fiber, so their net carbs aren't too bad. Makes them an option to consider.

    Things like tofu and tempeh also have a good amount of protein per serving. Edamame, too. Really, just about anything soy-based has a decent amount of protein per serving. Just he wary of some of the processed "meat" products made with textured soy proteins for vegans and vegetarians. A lot of those have various additives and ingredients that would do you more harm than good.

    Hemp is also another really great source of protein for vegans. Three tablespoons of hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds)) have 10 grams of protein. They are also rich in healthy fats and various vitamins and minerals. You can buy the seeds like I mentioned above, or you can also buy protein powders made from the seeds. They also make hemp tofu and hemp greek-style yogurt now, which are also high in protein.

    Chia seeds are a good source of protein as well, and they also have a really nice spread of healthy fats and vitamins/minerals.

    Have you ever considered trying protein powders? They make some really nice ones nowadays that are vegan. Garden of Life makes one called Organic Plant Protein that sources all of its protein from vegan sources. One scoop has 17 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber for 100 calories. It also has a live probiotic and enzyme blend to help you digest the protein. I really like it -- it comes in vanilla, chocolate, smooth energy, and coffee flavors. There's a $3 off coupon floating around the internet for it too. They also make a meal replacement called Raw Meal that has a similar amount of protein if you use the one scoop "snack size" rather than the two scoop "meal size". If you're trying to get more protein into your diet, I would really reccomend trying one of them. You can always get the little single-serve packets to try it and see if you like it.
  • Acetona
    Acetona Posts: 10 Member
    Make cauliflower sushi.
  • konawalker
    konawalker Posts: 6 Member
    Copaiba wrote: »
    yes. Vegan here. I use MFP to track calories and protein. But I eat grains which helps. I avoid fats where I can so I don't eat a lot of nuts, though I have some cashews soaking for a cream sauce as I write this.....don't like to waste them....
    Lots of info on the web! Go to Vegan bodybuilders.
    This was a good post today, except for the eggs:
    https://www.yahoo.com/health/9-best-new-proteins-for-weight-loss-124838353758.html?soc_src=unv-sh&soc_trk=fb&fb_ref=Default

  • konawalker
    konawalker Posts: 6 Member
    I do protein powder for breakfast . I have been veagan for over 8 years but everyone tells be I still need more protein but after all the great suggestions ( which I do eat ) I feel I should just adjust my combinations. Thanks all always open to new ideas
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    I have been vegan for nine years. I didn't really limit carbohydrates when I was losing weight, I just focused on getting protein -- my main sources are beans, tofu, seitan, tempeh, lentils, and grains. I will also sometimes eat pea protein products (like Beyond Meat), nuts, and protein powder (Vega). Is there a specific reason why you're trying to limit carbohydrates or do you just want more protein?
  • Wicked_Seraph
    Wicked_Seraph Posts: 388 Member
    Vegan here!

    Things like tofu are full of low-fat protein without the carbs - just be careful of the super-processed soy products. Also worth noting is that one can actually develop a bit of an intolerance... I used to eat a lot of soy-based products, and soy milk, and... yeah. Nowadays, straight tofu is fine but too much soy can be not-so-kind on the digestive tract.

    Limiting carbs is actually something I'm still working on, myself...
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Not a vegan, but most veggies have some kind of protein and soybeans are a complete protein. Tofu is good on protein, too.

    There are vegetarian and vegan websites with details on complete proteins, but if you can go see a dietitian, it'll be the best hour you ever spent on your diet. :)
  • Jambon692
    Jambon692 Posts: 17 Member
    I'm a baby vegan! I was vegetarian for many years, and I've always wanted to take that extra step towards a vegan diet. Any tips on upping the calcium would be great too. I've used hemp protein powder in smoothies for a while now, but I'm struggling with getting my calcium up.
  • Dr__Girlfriend
    Dr__Girlfriend Posts: 100 Member
    Get a good vegan protein powder, like plant fusion. I'm not vegan but i still prefer it as it's soo yummy. Protein is super filling and will help you build muscle.
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