A keto diet is one that is low in carbs and high in fats. The reduction in fat puts your body in a metabolic state called ketosis. When your body is in this state, it becomes very efficient at burning fat leading to weight loss and other health benefits.
Those following a keto diet may also be interested in eliminating meat for health or moral reasons. However, maintaining a vegetarian and keto diet is not easy to do. This is because a keto diet calls for an elimination of grains, legumes and seeds all of which are essential for vegetarians to get the amino acids they need.
So, while a vegetarian keto diet is not easy to follow, you can always throw in one meal a week. How about a meatless keto Monday?
If you are thinking of incorporating at least one keto vegetarian meal into your week, eggs and dairy will be two of the main animal products you can eat. They are nutrient dense and have a low impact on the environment.
Some great keto vegetarian recipes include Low Carb Mushroom Risotto with Cauliflower Rice, Caprese Grilled Eggplant Roll Ups and Stuffed Zucchini with Goat Cheese and Marinara.
Vegans will find it even more challenging to follow a vegan diet. Not only must they eliminate legumes, seeds and grains, they must also avoid animal-based foods like meat, poultry, eggs and dairy. However, they can still reach ketosis by relying on high fat, plant-based products like coconut oil, avocado, seeds and nuts.
With that in mind, some vegan keto meals that will make your mouth water include Crispy Tofu and Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry, Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Sauce and Vegan Thai Soup.
It can be difficult to follow a keto diet if you are a vegan or a vegetarian but trying these meals out one night a week can be a good way to tell if you are ready to take the next step. Which of these recipes will you be trying for your next meatless keto Monday?
