How to Follow a Low-Carb Vegan Meal Plan

With the explosion in popularity of low-carb diets for weight loss, like the ketogenic diet and Whole30 diet, you may be thinking that no-carb is better than low-carb. In fact, eating too few carbohydrates can actually make weight loss harder because you miss out on fiber from whole grains and legumes that help you to feel full and satisfied on fewer calories.

If you already follow a vegan diet, going low-carb means you'll be reducing the good-for-you carbs—like whole grains, beans, starchy vegetables and fruits—that provide important nutrients in place of animal products (namely protein). To make sure you get the nutrients you need, we tailored this low-carb vegan meal plan to be lower in carbs (around 100 to 125 grams per day) but not as low as very-low-carb diets, some of which recommend you eat as few as 20 g of carbs per day. Each day is fueled by healthy whole foods, including moderate amounts of complex carbs (like whole-grain muesli, sweet potatoes and berries), with daily protein and fiber totals ringing in at 50 g and 30 g per day, to help you feel satisfied while cutting carbs and calories.

How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Low-Carb Vegan Meals

1. Make the Smoothie Freezer Packs ahead of time and stash them in your freezer until ready to use on Days 1, 2 and 7. The recipe makes 5 servings total, so save the remaining two smoothie packs for another week.
2. Make the Tofu Crumbles and Citrus Vinaigrette for meal prep on Sunday to use throughout the week in different meals.
3. Cook the Spicy Weight-Loss Cabbage Soup so it's ready to have for lunch on Day 2. Save extra servings to have on Days 3 and 4.

Day 1

Breakfast (222 calories, 35 g carbohydrates)

• 1 serving Make-Ahead Smoothie Freezer Pack
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk or soymilk
• 1/2 scoop low-carb plant-based protein powder (try Vega Sport, Sunwarrior or 22 Days Nutrition)

Place everything in a blender and puree until creamy.

Snack (64 calories, 15 g carbohydrates)

• 1 cup raspberries

Lunch (336 calories, 18 g carbohydrates)

Vegan "Tex-Mex" Salad

• 2 cups mixed salad greens
• 1/2 cup Tofu Crumbles
• 1/4 cup pico de gallo
• 1/4 avocado
• 1 tablespoon Citrus Vinaigrette

Top salad greens with the Tofu Crumbles, pico de gallo and avocado; dress with vinaigrette.

Snack (101 calories, 9 g carbohydrates)

• 1 serving Edamame with Aleppo Pepper

Dinner (493 calories, 30 g carbohydrates)

• 2 servings Raw Vegan Zoodles with Romesco
• 2 cups mixed salad greens
• 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
• 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Citrus Vinaigrette

Toss salad greens, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes together with vinaigrette.

Daily Totals: 1,216 calories, 50 g protein, 107 g carbohydrates, 35 g fiber, 72 g fat, 2,036 mg sodium.

Day 2

Breakfast (222 calories, 35 g carbohydrates)

• 1 serving Make-Ahead Smoothie Freezer Pack
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk or soymilk
• 1/2 scoop low-carb plant-based protein powder (try Vega Sport, Sunwarrior or 22 Days Nutrition)

Place everything in a blender and puree until creamy.

Snack (115 calories, 12 g carbohydrates)

• 1 brown rice cake
• 1/4 cup avocado, mashed

Top rice cake with mashed avocado and season with a pinch each of salt and crushed red pepper.

Lunch (328 calories, 36 g carbohydrates)

• 1 1/2 cups Spicy Weight-Loss Cabbage Soup
• 1/2 avocado, diced

Top soup with diced avocado just before serving.

Snack (151 calories, 14 g carbohydrates)

• 1 1/2 servings Edamame with Aleppo Pepper

Dinner (393 calories, 29 g carbohydrates)

• 1 serving Tofu Poke

Daily Totals: 1,210 calories, 59 g protein, 125 g carbohydrates, 38 g fiber, 58 g fat, 2,120 mg sodium.

Day 3

Breakfast (227 calories, 34 g carbohydrates)

• 1/4 cup uncooked muesli cereal, such as Bob's Red Mill Old Country Style
• 1 cup unsweetened soymilk
• 1/2 cup frozen berries
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon

Combine muesli, soymilk and frozen berries in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High for 5 minutes, stirring once. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve warm.

Snack (64 calories, 15 g carbohydrates)

• 1 cup raspberries

Lunch (336 calories, 18 g carbohydrates)

Vegan "Tex-Mex" Salad

• 2 cups mixed salad greens
• 1/2 cup Tofu Crumbles
• 1/4 cup pico de gallo
• 1/4 avocado
• 1 tablespoon Citrus Vinaigrette

Top salad greens with the Tofu Crumbles, pico de gallo and avocado; dress with vinaigrette.

Snack (151 calories, 14 g carbohydrates)

• 1 1/2 servings Edamame with Aleppo Pepper

Dinner (407 calories, 44 g carbohydrates)

• 2 cups Spicy Weight-Loss Cabbage Soup
• 2 cups mixed salad greens
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 avocado, diced

Toss salad greens with olive oil and lemon juice and top with avocado. Season to taste with salt and pepper, if desired.

Meal-Prep Tip: Pack up 2 1/4 cups of the Spicy Weight-Loss Cabbage Soup to have for lunch on Day 4.

Daily Totals: 1,186 calories, 52 g protein, 124 g carbohydrates, 49 g fiber, 59 g fat, 1,619 mg sodium.

Day 4

Breakfast (227 calories, 34 g carbohydrates)

• 1/4 cup uncooked muesli cereal, such as Bob's Red Mill Old Country Style
• 1 cup unsweetened soymilk
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries

Combine muesli, soymilk and frozen berries in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High for 5 minutes, stirring once. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve warm.

Snack (101 calories, 9 g carbohydrates)

• 1/2 cup Edamame with Aleppo Pepper

Lunch (331 calories, 45 g carbohydrates)

• 2 1/4 cups Spicy Weight-Loss Cabbage Soup
• 1/4 avocado, diced

Top soup with diced avocado just before serving.

Snack (140 calories, 10 g carbohydrates)

• 1 brown rice cake
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter

Spread peanut butter over rice cake.

Dinner (405 calories, 30 g carbohydrates)

• 1 serving Green Salad with Edamame & Beets
• 1/4 avocado, diced

Top salad with avocado.

Daily Totals: 1,205 calories, 54 g protein, 128 g carbohydrates, 47 g fiber, 55 g fat, 1,499 mg sodium.

Day 5

Breakfast (263 calories, 34 g carbohydrates)

• 1 slice West Coast Avocado Toast
• 3/4 cup raspberries

Lunch (420 calories, 20 g carbohydrates)

Vegan Lettuce Wraps & Cucumber Salad

• 1 cup Tofu Crumbles
• 1/4 cup shredded carrot
• 1/4 cup sliced scallion
• 4 leaves Bibb lettuce

Combine Tofu Crumbles with carrot and scallion. Divide among 4 lettuce leaves. Top with hot sauce if desired.

• 1 1/2 cups chopped cucumber
• 1 tablespoon Citrus Vinaigrette

Toss cucumber with vinaigrette; top with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.

Snack (95 calories, 25 g carbohydrates)

• 1 medium apple

Dinner (435 calories, 26 g carbohydrates)

• 2 servings Tofu Cucumber Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
• 1 1/3 cups Pea Pod and Carrot Stir-Fry

Meal-Prep Tip: Save the remaining 2 servings of the Tofu Cucumber Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing to have for lunch tomorrow. Keep the dressing separate and bring to room temperature, and whisk before serving

Daily Totals: 1,212 calories, 62 g protein, 106 g carbohydrates, 33 g fiber, 66 g fat, 2,239 mg sodium.

Day 6

Breakfast (227 calories, 34 g carbohydrates)

• 1/4 cup uncooked muesli cereal, such as Bob's Red Mill Old Country Style
• 1 cup unsweetened soymilk
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries

Combine muesli, soymilk, berries and water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High for 5 minutes, stirring once. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve warm.

Snack (92 calories, 9 g carbohydrates)

• 3 tablespoons hummus
• 1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper

Lunch (334 calories, 14 g carbohydrates)

• 2 servings Tofu Cucumber Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing

Snack (201 calories, 18 g carbohydrates)

• 1 serving Edamame with Aleppo Pepper

Dinner (356 calories, 37 g carbohydrates)

• 1 serving Sweet Potato Hash Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
• 1 cup steamed broccoli

Daily Totals: 1,211 calories, 63g protein, 113 g carbohydrates, 37 g fiber, 63 g fat, 1,462 mg sodium.

Day 7

Breakfast (222 calories, 35 g carbohydrates)

• 1 serving Make-Ahead Smoothie Freezer Pack
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk or soymilk
• 1/2 scoop low-carb plant-based protein powder (try Vega Sport, Sunwarrior or 22 Days Nutrition)

Place everything in a blender and puree until creamy.

Snack (64 calories, 15 g carbohydrates)

• 1 cup raspberries

Lunch (420 calories, 20 g carbohydrates)

Vegan Lettuce Wraps & Cucumber Salad

• 2 servings Tofu Crumbles
• 1/4 cup shredded carrot
• 1/4 cup sliced scallion
• 4 leaves Bibb lettuce

Combine Tofu Crumbles with carrot and scallion. Divide among 4 lettuce leaves. Top with hot sauce, if desired.

• 1 1/2 cups chopped cucumber
• 1 tablespoon Citrus Vinaigrette

Toss cucumber with vinaigrette. Top with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.

Snack (115 calories, 12 g carbohydrates)

• 1 brown rice cake
• 1/4 cup avocado, mashed

Top rice cake with avocado and season with a pinch each of salt and crushed red pepper.

Dinner (356 calories, 37 g carbohydrates)

• 1 serving Sweet Potato Hash Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
• 1 cup steamed broccoli

Daily Totals: 1,178 calories, 55 g protein, 119 g carbohydrates, 33 g fiber, 60 g fat, 2,075 mg sodium.