Keto is not Vegetarian friendly, is not a fact but an assumption. As we all know, following a plant-based diet or becoming entirely vegetarian can have positive effects on your health. In comparison to carnivores, vegetarians tend to suffer from fewer chronic diseases and live longer.
Now there’s the ketogenic diet that is high-fat and ultra-low-carb, which immediately conjures up images of beef, pizza and cheese. It sounds dubious, but you will soon find yourself losing weight. Not only that, it aids in lowering your cholesterol and improves blood circulation in your body.
This brings to question: is a high-fat vegetarian diet even feasible?
Keto vegetarianism is definitely doable. You do have to research extensively on the common obstacles and what to watch out for because it is not the standard ketogenic diet. As the name suggests, this diet combines both vegetarianism and keto into one dieting schedule. Most plant-based dieters do however consume eggs and fish, but keto does not allow more than 50 grams of carb intake per day. So, that further limits the sources for getting energy fuels for the human body, and that is why it’s challenging. It can be however advantageous when doing keto inspires an unfit vegetarian to increase their carb intake. Switching from a diet high in pasta to one high in vegetables and healthy fats should aid in weight loss. However, adopting a low-carb keto diet could also become extremely restrictive for vegetarians who already rely on fiber-rich carbohydrates like quinoa and oats — which are not allowed on the keto diet — to make them feel full.
An example of the Vegetarian Keto-Grocery List:
For a vegetarian ketogenic diet, we can offer you some of the various options you can implement in your diet:
- Healthy fats: Olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil.
- Herbs: Basil, paprika, oregano, rosemary, thyme.
- Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, pistachios.
- Non-starchy vegetables: Broccoli, mushrooms, cauliflower, zucchini, bell peppers.
- Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt, paneer.
- Protein: Eggs,natto, tofu, nutritional yeast.
- Low-carb fruits : Berries, lemons.
Some food options you should avoid at all costs, if you are a vegetarian on the keto diet:
- Starchy vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, beets, carrots.
- Sugary beverages: Soda, fruit juices, energy drinks.
- Grains: Rice, Bread, oats, rye, buckwheat, quinoa.
- Legumes: Beans, peas, lentils.
- Dressings: Barbecue sauce, honey mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise
- Alcoholic beverages: beer, wine, and all other sweetened cocktails.
Thus, a vegetarian ketogenic diet forgoes all meat while negating high-carb items like grains, fruits, starchy vegetables, and sugary beverages. Although there is little study on vegetarian keto diets, it has been claimed that patients experienced unexpected benefits, including the gradual disappearance of joint discomfort. The keto diet began to be associated with the management of several disorders, including type 2 diabetes, and digestion returned to normal.
Vegetarians already run the risk of lacking in calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. Keto then imposes more limitations. For instance, keto does not permit breakfast cereals, which are often high in vitamin B12. On the other hand, not all cereals that are keto-friendly are fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Another major issue is protein insufficiency. The body needs protein to form bones, muscles, and skin. Cutting away many of the proteins, such as legumes and grains, in a conventional vegetarian diet effectively eliminates a significant supply of complete proteins because the keto diet depends on protein and fat for calories.
So how can a vegetarian follow a ketogenic diet in a healthy way? By being mindful of the nutrients they lack. You should eat plenty of foods that are rich sources of those lacking minerals, such as leafy greens for calcium, tuna for vitamin B12, and eggs for vitamin D.
Due to the combination of two restricted diets, this eating pattern is challenging to maintain. Some dietitians think there are more hazards than benefits. But if you do decide to give it a try, do it cautiously and ideally with the advice of a competent dietician who can advise you on how to make wise food choices and make sure you’re supplementing the diet as necessary. It’s imperative to cut back on your carb intake gradually; avoid going cold turkey.