If you’ve been exploring ways to lose weight while maintaining a vegan lifestyle, you’ve probably known the ketogenic diet. The keto diet, which is low-carb, high-fat, might seem impossible for vegans, but in reality, it can be possible if you follow the proper way.
Traditional keto recipes are about animal products like meat, cheese, and butter. So what’s a vegan keto dieter to do?
The answer is this: focus on whole, plant-based foods that are low in carbs and high in healthy fats, and you can make easy meals that help you get into ketosis and lose weight.
Here are 7 vegan keto dinner recipes that tick all the boxes: quick, easy, delicious, and weight loss-friendly.
Creamy Avocado Zoodles
Zucchini noodles, or zoodles, are a low-carb alternative to pasta. They’re simple to make and have a neutral taste that goes well with rich and creamy sauces. In this recipe, the sauce is made from avocados, which are high in healthy fats and provide a creamy texture without any dairy. A study in the Nutrition Journal found that a meal high in monounsaturated fats like those from avocados can help with weight management and satiety.
Ingredients:
2 medium zucchinis, spiralized
1 ripe avocado
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
To taste, add salt and pepper.
Instructions:
Blend the avocado, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth. Toss the zoodles in the avocado sauce until well coated. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Cauliflower is a keto superstar because of its low-carb content. A 100-gram serving of cauliflower has only 5 grammes of carbs, making it a perfect substitute for rice. This dish is not only low in carbs but also high in fibre, which helps you feel full longer—a key to successful weight loss, according to a study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Ingredients:
1 small head of cauliflower, riced
1/2 cup green peas
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/4 cup chopped scallions
2 Tbsp. Tamari or soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil.
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. grated ginger
Instructions:
In a large pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant.
Add the riced cauliflower, peas, carrots, and scallions. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes.
Add tamari or soy sauce, mix well, and serve.
Coconut Curry Tofu
Tofu is a fantastic source of plant-based protein and is low in carbs. When paired with coconut milk, rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), this dish will keep you full and support ketosis. A Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism study found that MCTs can increase energy expenditure and promote weight loss.
Ingredients:
1 block of firm tofu, pressed and cubed
1 can full-fat coconut milk
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
1/2 cup spinach leaves
Salt to taste.
Instructions:
Heat a pan over medium heat, then add the cubed tofu. Cook until golden brown on all sides.
Add the curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and coriander and stir to coat the tofu.
Pour in the coconut milk, then add the bell peppers and spinach. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Season with salt and serve hot.
Eggplant Lasagna
Eggplant is a low-carb vegetable that adds a meaty texture to this dish without the need for pasta. By using eggplant slices instead of lasagna noodles, you’re cutting out carbs while still getting a filling meal. According to the Journal of Medicinal Food, eggplant contains compounds that can help lower blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for weight management.
Ingredients:
1 large eggplant, sliced lengthwise
1 cup marinara sauce (low-carb, no sugar added)
1 cup vegan ricotta cheese
1/2 cup chopped basil
1 teaspoon olive oil
To taste, add salt and pepper.
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lay the eggplant slices on a baking sheet, brush with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes.
In a baking dish, layer the eggplant slices with marinara sauce and vegan ricotta cheese.
Repeat layers and top with chopped basil.
Bake for 25 minutes, until golden on top.
Stuffed bell peppers
Bell peppers are low in carbs and high in fibre, so they make a perfect vessel for stuffing. Filling them with a mix of cauliflower rice, nuts, and spices is a balanced meal that will keep you full and support your weight loss goals. The fibre in this will keep you full, as per a study from the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Ingredients:
4 large bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed
1 cup cauliflower rice
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped onions
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
To taste, add salt and pepper.
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Sauté onions and cauliflower rice in olive oil until softened.
Add walnuts, diced tomatoes, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Place the bell peppers in a baking dish and stuff them with the mixture.
Bake for 30 minutes, until peppers are tender.
Spinach and Mushroom Stir-Fry
This stir fry is light, fast, and nutrient-dense. Spinach is low in carbs and calories but high in fibre and vitamins, so it’s a weight-loss-friendly ingredient. Mushrooms add a rich flavour and are low in carbs. A study in Appetite found that adding mushrooms to meals increases satiety and reduces calorie intake, which aids in weight loss.
Ingredients:
2 cups of spinach leave
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tbsp. Tamari or soy sauce
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. sesame seeds
Instructions:
In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown. Add spinach and tamari; mix well. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.
Avocado and Almond
This is how you can keep it simple and stay within your keto macros. Avocados and almonds are high in healthy fats and low in carbs. Combining these with leafy greens creates a nutrient-dense meal that is easy and filling. According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, meals with unsaturated fats like avocados and almonds can help with weight management by increasing satiety.
Ingredients:
1 avocado, sliced
2 cups mixed leafy greens
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
Instructions
In a big bowl, combine leafy greens, avocado, and almonds.
Drizzle with olive oil and apple cider vinegar.
Season with salt and pepper, toss, and serve.
My View on the Vegan Keto Diet
You don’t have to make a vegan keto diet complicated or time-consuming. Choose easy-to-make recipes with simple ingredients, and you'll have satisfying meals to support your weight loss. These 7 recipes will keep you in ketosis and provide your body with what it needs. This week, try them out in your meal plan and see how they can help you reach your weight loss goals without sacrificing taste.
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