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Understanding Low Carbohydrate Foods for Vegetarians

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

Vegetarians also have soy foods as the best group that is low on carbohydrates. Tofu, a top soy food product is highly recommended. Meat substitutes for vegetarians are usually soy-based such as veggie burgers, vegetarian sausages, fake cold cuts and ground beef substitutes. They have been prepared to be like meat in terms of taste and smell so vegetarians can still enjoy their taste without having to really eat actual meat. They can be incorporated in excellent vegetarian foods like in salads and stir-fry. These are excellent low carbohydrate foods for vegetarians since they contain high amounts of proteins. A new soy-based food has been developed that is also low on carbohydrates is called textured vegetable protein. This may come as dry granules or in chunks and is available in any health food store. It contains proteins and fiber with little carbohydrates.

For lacto-ovo vegetarians, dairy or milk products can also be a good protein source. Dairy is a common source of weight loss delay for many people and can be problematic in other ways for many others such as for those who have allergies in them. Also, it’s very hard to get enough protein from dairy without going over one’s daily carbohydrate limits. Use dairy products as an addition to the main foods, if you use it at all to make them more flavorful and tasteful for example. Eggs are also good protein source that are low in carbohydrates that lacto-ovo vegetarians can go for. Egg yolk is also an excellent source other nutrients so they could also be added to the vegetarian diet.

Vegetarians that wish to eat only low carbohydrate food could also opt for low carbohydrate vegetables as well as nuts and seeds. For fruits, go for those that are low in sugar. Oils that are naturally found in avocados and olives are also highly recommended as additions to a low carbohydrate vegetarian diet. Go slow on refined sugars and remember that in this case of going for low carbohydrates, vegetables are much better than fruits.

As in any diet, read labels always to get the gist on the carbohydrate content of the food that you are consuming. Avoid foods that have too much seasoning in them as seasonings could also add up to the carbohydrate content of your food. The same goes for example, for tofu that comes with flavor already. The flavor could come only from seasonings so it may be best to simply buy the tofu and flavor it yourself. In adding flavor to your food, go for seasoning like cayenne pepper, herbs, garlic, and a variety of cheeses. Theirs is not need to sacrifice flavor for as long as you are aware of what seasonings and flavorings find their way in your food.

A precaution however, in any vegetarian diet is deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals. Iron is one example. For vegetarians, an excellent option for iron source is beans and nuts. Deficiency in iron could lead to anemia so there is a special precaution for vegetarian women who are pregnant or if they are already anemic. This may be remedied by taking iron supplements. Low carbohydrate food for vegetarians can also be a little bit pricey and many of them are also processed foods. These are some of the factors to consider in choosing foods that one wants to include in a low carbohydrate vegetarian diet.

Four Basic Benefits of Vegetarian Food

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

There are more and more vegetarians who mainly eat vegetables and reject or eat very little meat in their daily diets. Generally speaking, there are mainly four basic benefits of vegetarian diet.

First, vegetable food can make you healthy.
Vegetarian diet contains very little saturated fat, so it can lower the blood pressure and the level of cholesterol. Germany has carried out a study, which showed that the probability of suffering from heart disease for the vegetarians who eat meat occasionally is only one third of that for the general person, and the morbidity of cancer for them is half of that for the general people. What’s more, vegetarian diet can also play a diet therapy effect.

Second, vegetarian food can make you beautiful.
The vegetarian way is quite effective to lose weight. Vegetarian diet can make the blood become slightly alkaline, which will promote the metabolic activity, thus burning out the accumulation of the fat and sugar in the body. So it can achieve the purpose of weight loss naturally. Vegetarians are always energetic, and the functions of their internal organs tend to be very active. In addition, their skin always appears soft, smooth and red.

Third, vegetarian food can make you smart.
Vegetarians often feel very refreshing; it seems that they are getting smarter. In fact, this is not just the result of psychological suggestion, but has a scientific basis. Because the main nutrient which activates the brain cells is glutamic acid, followed by vitamin B. Cereals, beans and other vegetables are the main sources of glutamic acid and vitamin B. So taking in a lot of these vegetables in daily diets can enhance the intelligence and judgment of the people, and can make them relax easily and improve their concentration.

Fourth, vegetarian food can make you economical.
Usually, the vegetarian diet is much cheaper than the meat dishes, and there is rarely a main course made by vegetarian food. Therefore, the vegetarians will not have to pay for the high expense of meat dishes. As time passes, it will save a lot of money for you.