Help: Reducing carbs on vegan diet

lmaidenberg
lmaidenberg Posts: 1 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi there,
I’m vegan and eating clean and wholesome. However, it’s virtually impossible to lose weight without starving myself. Before being vegan I would eat lean animal proteins but since I’m not getting my protein from lentils,beans and healthy grains, the carb calories are high! How do I reduce carbs without starving myself with tiny portions?

Replies

  • RunawayCurves
    RunawayCurves Posts: 688 Member
    I have been vegan for a year and have found it is better to avoid processed sugar than it is to avoid all carbs. I have been eating clean for last 4 weeks, lots of veg, beans, some fruit, seeds, nuts, olives. I have cut out grains due to digestive issues. My doctor is happy with what I am eating. I have not been hungry since I made these changes.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I suggest you concentrate on keeping to a calorie deficit and not try and reduce carbs.

    Trying to eliminate or reduce an entire macro is doubly hard if you have already gone vegan. Getting enough protein is hard enough.

    Limited protein options plus low carb equals high fat. That’s the only macro left.

    You could restrict yourself to one cup olive oil a day (1900 calories) but that would be boring and unpalatable.

    However if you pick your calorie deficit and eat within it you can have a varied diet that is satisfying and still lose weight.

    Like, oatmeal with soy milk and raisins for breakfast.

    Avocado salad for lunch.

    Black bean and corn burritos for dinner.

    Nuts, fruit and and popcorn for snacks.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    There's no reason to reduce carbs...most vegans eat fairly high carbs...a plant based diet is largely comprised of carbohydrates.
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  • Zinka61
    Zinka61 Posts: 563 Member
    I eat mainly vegan, and I just count calories, not carbs. That said, limiting added sugars, extra servings of breads/grains, and not going overboard on starchy veggies and sweet fruits can help balance things out a bit and allow room in my diet for more protein, iron-rich foods, etc. Bottom line, though, it's the calories that make a difference with weight loss.
  • 1191818
    1191818 Posts: 3 Member
    I am having the same issue. My friend is losing an incredible amount of weight doing keto. But I don't want to sacrifice my values and eat meat to lose weight. I've decided, as everyone else here is saying, to just focus on my calories.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    I lost my weight by counting calories, not limiting carbohydrates. As long as you're getting the protein and fat you require, I wouldn't worry about limiting carbohydrates. Your weight loss will come from calories, not from reducing carbohydrates.

    That said, if you're looking to expand protein options beyond beans and grains -- tofu, tempeh, and seitan are all high in protein and I found them to be very easy to fit into a calorie deficit.

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