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Going low-carb if you're a vegetarian takes some strategizing to make sure you're still getting the nutrients you need each day. Following a low-carb diet means you'll be reducing otherwise healthy carbs like whole grains, beans, starchy vegetables and fruits that provide important nutrients.
To make sure you're still getting the nutrients you need, we tailored this meal plan to be low in carbs, but not so low that you'd miss out on those important nutrients. Research suggests this is a more effective way to meet your health and weight-loss goals when compared to very-low carb diets (we aim for ~100 grams carbohydrates daily).
We also added in plenty of healthy vegetarian protein sources like eggs, tofu and edamame in place of higher-carb beans and lentils to help you feel full and satisfied.
Day 1
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Breakfast (327 calories)
- 1 serving Cauliflower "Toast"
- 1/2 avocado, mashed
Top toast with avocado and season with a pinch each salt and pepper.
A.M. Snack (30 calories)
- 1 medium plum
Lunch (348 calories)
- 1 serving Green Salad with Edamame & Beets
P.M. Snack (118 calories)
- 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
- 2 medium celery stalks, cut into sticks
Dinner (423 calories)
- 1 serving Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
- 1 serving Waldorf Salad Lettuce Wraps
Meal Prep Tip: Save 1 serving of the Waldorf Salad Lettuce Wraps to have for lunch on Day 2. Pack up leftovers of the Vegan Butternut Squash Soup to have on Days 2 and 3.
Daily Totals: 1,224 calories, 39 g protein, 101 g carbohydrates, 33 g fiber, 74 g fat, 1,994 mg sodium.
Day 2
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Breakfast (285 calories)
A.M. Snack (62 calories)
- 1 medium orange
Lunch (240 calories)
- 1 serving Waldorf Salad Lettuce Wraps
P.M. Snack (118 calories)
- 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
- 2 medium celery stalks, cut into sticks
Dinner (505 calories)
- 1 serving Cauliflower Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- 1 serving Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
Daily Totals: 1,210 calories, 43 g protein, 93 g carbohydrates, 23 g fiber, 75 g fat, 1,942 mg sodium.
Day 3
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Breakfast (282 calories)
- 1 serving Two-Ingredient Banana Pancakes
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
Mix peanut butter with 1 tsp. warm water (or more, as needed, to thin out the peanut butter to a sauce-like consistency). Drizzle over pancakes and strawberries.
A.M. Snack (109 calories)
- 1/2 cup edamame
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
Toss edamame and cucumber with lime juice; season with a pinch each of salt and pepper.
Lunch (349 calories)
- 1 serving Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
- 1 serving Cauliflower "Toast"
P.M. Snack (30 calories)
- 1 medium plum
Dinner (435 calories)
- 2 servings Tofu Cucumber Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
- 1 1/3 cup Pea Pod and Carrot Stir-Fry
Daily Totals: 1,206 calories, 57 g protein, 96 g carbohydrates, 27 g fiber, 70 g fat, 1,781 mg sodium.