Can You Go Vegetarian on the Keto Diet?

A high-fat, low-carb diet that has recently gained a lot of popularity is the ketogenic, or keto, diet. Despite the fact that it frequently includes animal products including meat, fish, and fowl, it can be modified to meet a vegetarian diet.
Everything you need to know about the vegetarian keto diet is covered in this video.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

keto diet vegetarian

The vegetarian keto diet combines vegetarianism with keto dieting in one eating strategy.
The majority of vegetarians consume dairy and eggs but forego meat and fish.
In contrast, the ketogenic diet restricts daily carbohydrate intake to 20–50 grams. When you consume extremely little carbohydrates, your body enters ketosis, a metabolic condition in which it starts using fat as fuel rather than glucose.
On a conventional ketogenic diet, about 70% of your daily caloric intake should be made up of fat, which may be found in foods like oils, meat, fish, and whole milk.
The vegetarian keto diet, on the other hand, forgoes meat and fish in favor of other healthful fats like coconut oil, eggs, avocados, almonds, and seeds.

The vegetarian keto diet forgoes meat and fish in favor of a high-fat, low-carb diet.

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Health advantages

There is a ton of study on the two parent diets, but none specifically examines the advantages of the vegetarian keto diet.

Aids with weight loss

Diets that are ketogenic and vegetarian both promote weight loss.

A thorough analysis of 12 trials revealed that over the course of 18 weeks, vegetarians dropped 4.5 pounds more on average than non-vegetarians.
Additionally, vegetarian diets encouraged fat and weight loss more successfully than conventional low-calorie diets in a 6-month study of 74 individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Similar results were discovered in a 6-month trial of 83 obese individuals, which showed that a ketogenic diet led to significant drops in weight and body mass index, with an average weight loss of 31 pounds.
The large proportion of healthy fats in this diet may also help you feel fuller for longer, so lowering your appetite and cravings.
prevents the onset of chronic illnesses
A lower risk of developing a number of chronic diseases has been associated with vegetarian diets.

Studies have linked them to lower cancer risk and better levels of a number of heart disease risk variables, such as BMI, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

The keto diet’s benefits in preventing disease have also been researched.
The keto diet significantly reduced body weight, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar, all of which are risk factors for heart disease, in a 56-week research including 66 participants.

According to other research, this diet may protect brain function and aid in the treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disorders.
Studies conducted on animals and in test tubes also suggest that the ketogenic diet may slow the development of malignant tumors. However, more study is required.

Supports blood sugar control

Both the vegetarian and ketogenic diets help to regulate blood sugar.
Vegetarian diets were found to significantly lower HbA1c levels, a measure of long-term blood sugar control, in an analysis of six research.

In addition, a 5-year research of 2,918 participants found that switching to a vegetarian diet significantly decreased the chance of developing diabetes by 53%.
While this is happening, the ketogenic diet may help your body regulate its blood sugar levels and become more sensitive to the hormone insulin, which is involved in blood sugar regulation.
Following a ketogenic diet reduced HbA1c levels by 16% in a 4-month research including 21 individuals. By the end of the research, an impressive 81% of individuals had successfully reduced or stopped taking their diabetes drugs.

Vegetarian and ketogenic diets have both been demonstrated to promote weight loss, aid in blood sugar regulation, and offer protection from a number of chronic diseases. Remember that no research have explicitly looked at the vegetarian keto diet.

Possible negatives

There are certain disadvantages to the vegetarian keto diet as well.

may make nutritional deficits more likely for you
Planning your vegetarian diet carefully will help you make sure you’re getting all the nourishment you need.
According to studies, these eating habits typically have inadequate intakes of vital nutrients such vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and protein.

Because it restricts a number of nutrient-dense food groups like fruits, legumes, and whole grains, the vegetarian keto diet is much more restricted and raises your risk of nutritional deficiencies.
You can make sure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs by carefully monitoring your nutritional intake and eating a range of nutritious, whole meals.
Taking supplements may also be beneficial, particularly for elements like vitamin B12 that are sometimes low in vegetarian diets.

Possibility of flu-like symptoms
Numerous adverse effects, referred to as the “keto flu,” might arise when someone enters a state of ketosis.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

indigestion, headaches, exhaustion, trouble sleeping, cramping in the muscles, changes in mood, nausea, and vertigo
Notably, these negative effects usually go away after a few days. Your symptoms may be lessened by getting enough rest, being hydrated, and doing regular exercise.

Not appropriate for some populations
The vegetarian keto diet is quite limited, thus it might not be a viable choice for everyone.

Because it can restrict some nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development, it is especially harmful to youngsters and women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Athletes, persons with a history of eating problems, and those who have type 1 diabetes might also find it inappropriate.
Before beginning this diet, discuss it with your doctor if you take any drugs or have any underlying medical concerns.

The vegetarian keto diet may have temporary negative effects, lack key nutrients, and be inappropriate for children and women who are pregnant or nursing.

food items

Variety of non-starchy veggies, good fats, and sources of protein should all be part of a healthy vegetarian keto diet, for example:

Non-starchy veggies including bell peppers, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, kale, cauliflower, and zucchini
Olive oil, coconut oil, avocados, MCT oil, and avocado oil are examples of healthy fats.
Nuts including Brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, and pistachios
Chia, hemp, flax, and pumpkin seeds, among others
Almond, peanut, pecan, and hazelnut butters are examples of nut butters.
dairy items with added fat yogurt, milk, and cheese
Eggs, tofu, tempeh, spirulina, natto, and nutritional yeast are all good sources of protein.
Fruits with few carbohydrates, such berries, lemons, and limes
Basil, paprika, pepper, salt, turmeric, oregano, rosemary, and thyme are among the herbs and seasonings used.

noxious foods

Any meat or fish should be avoided when following a vegetarian ketogenic diet.
Only a modest number of high-carb foods, such as grains, legumes, fruits, and starchy vegetables, are OK as long as they don’t exceed your daily carbohydrate allowance.

Eliminate these foods from your diet:

Meat including calf, ox, lamb, goat, and pork
Chicken, turkey, duck, and goose are examples of poultry.
Salmon, tuna, sardines, anchovies, and lobster are some examples of fish and shellfish.

The following foods should be avoided:

potatoes, yams, beets, parsnips, carrots, and sweet potatoes are examples of starchy vegetables.
beverages with added sugar, such as energy drinks, soda, sweet tea, sports drinks, and juice
Bread, rice, quinoa, oats, millet, rye, barley, buckwheat, and pasta are examples of grains.

Beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas are examples of legumes.
Fruits include peaches, apricots, apricots, oranges, berries, apples, bananas, and bananas
condiments like honey mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce, marinades, and sweetened salad dressings
Breakfast cereals, granola, chips, cookies, crackers, and baked goods are examples of processed foods.
Sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, brown sugar, and white sugar
Beverages that contain alcohol, including beer, wine, and sweetened cocktails

This five-day sample meal plan can help kickstart a vegetarian keto diet:

Monday

Breakfast: spinach, peanut butter, MCT oil, and chocolate whey protein powder in a full-fat milk smoothie.
Lunch: Tempeh meatballs over zucchini noodles with a rich avocado sauce
Dinner: coconut curry cooked with tofu, mixed vegetables, and olive oil.

Tuesday

Breakfast: An omelet composed with cheese, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and coconut oil
Lunch: Pizza with a cauliflower crust, cheese, spinach, diced tomatoes, and olive oil
Dinner: salad made up of bell peppers, tomatoes, tofu, avocados, and mixed greens

Wednesday

Breakfast: Olive oil, mixed vegetables, and cheese in a tofu scramble.
Lunch: broccoli, tempeh bacon, avocado oil, and cauliflower mac and cheese
Dinner: frittata made with spinach, asparagus, tomatoes, feta, and coconut oil.

Thursday

Breakfast: Topped with chia seeds and walnuts, the Greek yogurt
Lunch: lettuce tacos stuffed with walnut-mushroom meat, cheese, avocados, tomatoes, cilantro, and other ingredients.
Dinner: pizzas made from zucchini topped with olive oil, marinara, mozzarella, spinach, and garlic

Friday

Breakfast: Keto oatmeal with peanut butter, heavy cream, hemp seeds, and flax seeds
Lunch: Baked egg-avocado boats with paprika, bacon, chives, and coconut
Dinner: Vegetables, tofu, and cauliflower fried rice prepared with coconut oil

Vegetarian keto snacks

Here are a few straightforward snacks you can have in between meals:

Zoodle chips
peanut butter and celery
roasted seeds from a pumpkin
flax crackers and cheese slices
various nuts
unsweetened coconut, carrots, guacamole, whipped cream, and blackberries on top of chia seed pudding
Greek yogurt with walnuts and full-fat cottage cheese with black pepper
The vegetarian keto diet forgoes meat and fish in favor of a high-fat, low-carb diet.
Independently, a ketogenic and vegetarian diet may support blood sugar regulation, weight loss, and a number of other advantages.
However, this diet hasn’t been independently examined and may increase your risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Still, it is definitely viable to combine the two if you are vegetarian and want to try the keto diet or are already on the keto diet and intrigued about giving up meat.