Carbohydrates and the Vegan Diet

My daughter told me about your site, and I am enjoying the information found there.

However, my issue with ALL vegetarian/vegan diets is that when I eat carbs, 1) I am not satisfied; 2)my appetite goes through the roof; and 3)my weight climbs steadily upward. Potatoes/bread are major culprits.

Any thoughts?

Dee
Florida

*****

Sassy Sez: Hi Dee! Carbs are not just an issue with vegetarian and vegan diets. In some form or another, carbs are a part of just about every diet out there.

But I believe the challenge lies in eating the proper carbs, and this is where most people drop the ball.

If you are eating simple carbs (baked goods made with white flour, pasta made with white flour, sugary foods, fruit juices, etc), they digest quickly and your blood sugar can skyrocket. You remain unfulfilled, and you eventually have a "sugar crash".

When your blood sugar rises like that from the simple sugars of simple carbs and crashes soon after? That is a recipe for weight gain.

Complex carbs are what you should be eating. These digest slowly and your blood sugar stays steady.

Now, having said all that, it is important to shoot for balance in all you eat. If you overdo it on whole grain baked goods, you won't be doing yourself any favors. Your diet should include beans, whole grains, veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds.

You might consider my weight loss course which teaches you step-by-step how to build a healthy vegan diet that will help you to lose weight naturally and keep it off for good.

Best wishes. xo


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Starches
by: Greg

I just read your response to ''are you eating the right carb.'s?"

Question: I was under the impression that starches [the right starches of course] were a staple in a vegan / plant based diet such as Dr. McDougall's. What are your thoughts regarding ''the starch diet?"

Thanks,
Greg

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Carbs
by: Anonymous

My experience is that if I start the day with a Hi Carb-Low fiber food I will feel hungry all day. If I start with a Hi Carb- Mod Fiber and a protein it is going to be a good day. If I leave my carbs (eg. dinner with pasta, rice or potato) for the end of the day -- I sleep well and feel well the next day.

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Carbs
by: Dana

Everyone is different. I have found for myself that I need a low glycemic diet to manage my weight and my appetite. Even whole grain carbs are not good for me. I focus on dark leafy greens, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds. I will occasionally have quinoa. Avocado is my favorite to keep me feeling full and satisfied. It is a good fat and has a lot of fiber.

Everyone needs to experiment and see what works best for them.

Best of luck!

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Good Carbs
by: Paula

In a vegancoach newsletter a while back about healthy breads to choose from to get right nutrition, and full longer. Ezekiel 4:9 was one suggested. I tried this bread 4 yrs. ago and fed it to the birds, to me sprouted grains, seeds etc. was bird food to me. It was not white soft gooey good stuff. Since being a vegan now for a year & half, I have used the knowledge/suggestions from Vegan Coach.com and have gradually incorporated healthy foods into in my lifestyle change journey. A month ago ready to venture further for even healthier bread choice I now Love Ezekiel bread now. I'm so happy with the bread, now I buy Ezekiel 4:9 pasta, cereal. I'm full and satisfied until next meal (I call my next feeding-HA!) Since Jan. 2013 I have unbelievable energy, lost weight and instead treadmill, I work outside gardening anything just to be out early spring (by choice push behind mower on a semi hilly acre, my fav.) that I could not do the past 8 years. We are Blessed for our Vegan Coach.

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Fabulous news :)
by: Sassy

Thanks so much, Paula. I appreciate the kudos. And yes, tastes can change so much when you fill your body with wholesome foods. Congratulations on your successes. I'm always here if you need me. :) xo!

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but how do I lose excess weight?
by: Anonymous

I can see how a vegan diet would be healthy for normal weight persons. But I need to get rid of about 70 lbs. One time I lost about half that doing low-carb. But it all came back (with whole wheat toast, brown rice, carrots, ie the better carbs).
So, is there any way to lose weight on a vegan diet?
I get so hungry if I don't have Greek yogurt, or cheese, or an omelet.

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Eco-Atkins?
by: Sassy

Hi there!

I get it, low-carb works for you. But if you want to be Vegan, then it can seem impossible to do low-carb?

Interestingly, it can be done. And it seems that it is a healthier option than non-vegan low carb diet, which doesn't surprise me!

It's called the Eco-Atkins diet. I think you'll find this video very interesting...








Personally, I still eat my whole grains, but I concentrate them earlier in the day (versus at dinnertime) when my body can still use up all the amazing energy they provide. I also recommend embracing pseudo-cereals such as quinoa and buckwheat. xo!

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Carbs When
by: Anonymous

The timing of carbs is also important i've had significant weight loss and increased stamina by piling my carbs into dinner then getting at least eight hours of sleep. At night researchers have found that the old "your metabolic rate decreases at night" is just not true. I drink kombuchu and chia to get my day going. load up on fruits and veggies for lunch giving me increased energy to complete my day, then i eat carbs, proteins, and vegan fats at night.

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Alcohol and Weight Loss
by: Kim

Hi,
I was wondering if you think it is possible to drink a glass of wine each night and still lose weight on a vegan diet?
Thanks,
Kim

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Wine and weight loss
by: Sassy

Hi Kim!

Yes, it's possible. But you really need to limit it to one glass. That's as long as that one glass of wine doesn't also mean that you reach for unhealthy snacky stuff at the same time. Or that it doesn't knock you off your workout routine the next day. Or that it doesn't interfere with your sleep patterns. xo!

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p.s.
by: Sassy

p.s. White wine contains more sugar than red. So I would also make sure that one glass of wine is a red. xo!

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