My Low-Carb, Vegan Diet Update.

You guys! I just booked a night at “The Kevin” — an AirBNB in Dallas that’s made to look like The McAllister’s home in “Home Alone” (my favorite movie). My stay isn’t until December, but wow it feels good to have something to look forward to!

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it here, but in May, I decided to take a little bit of control over what I was putting into my body.

In general, I eat pretty healthy. I don’t eat out much, and I keep a good stash of fruits and veggies in my fridge. I eat a mostly vegan diet, but sometimes that can easily mean that I make pasta or meals that are bread-based.

So, I decided to switch to low-carb (and vegan), which honestly… at first I was like, cool, looks like I’ll be eating bell peppers forever!

But I’ve actually discovered some snacks and meals that I really like, so I thought I’d share because I have been feeling really good since I made the switch.

For breakfast, I usually eat oatmeal (made from plain rolled oats) and I mix in my vegan collagen, which is peanut butter flavored. Oatmeal does have carbs, but since I eat it in the morning, I have all day to burn it off, and it has lots of protein, plus it has no salt, cholesterol, or added sugar.

For lunch, I have been really loving making a salad and then having a veggie burger on top! I do like Impossible Burger, but I really like Actual Veggies The Actual Black Burger — it’s so good! I sometimes buy a salad mix or I just use arugula and some tomatoes and the Annie’s Vegan Green Goddess Lite dressing.

Any of the bowls from Daily Harvest are also a good vegan, low-carb option. My favorites are the sweet potato + wild rice hash, lentil + mesquite chili, and the tomato + cremini flatbread.

For dinner, I usually make a meal from a meal delivery service — I have been using Marley Spoon as of late. I try to choose meals that don’t have bread, pasta, or rice, so that I’m not even tempted. Some of my favorites have been a meatless black bean and bell pepper burrito bowl, black bean chili, vegetarian cobb salad, Mediterranean stuffed peppers, and black bean burger with sweet potato fries.

As far as snacks go, I try not to snack, but sometimes you need a nosh. I like pickles, the Biena Snacks Rockin’ Ranch Chickpea Snacks, Frooze Balls PB & J (these are vegan protein balls I found at Trader Joes and wow, so good), Olipop soda (Root Beer is my favorite), Fit Joy Grain Free Pretzels (tangy mustard), Trader Joe’s Olive & Herbs Mixed Nuts (this mix is so good and it has a low amount of sodium), and Tru Fru dark chocolate covered raspberries.

Of course, I had my cheat days over the holiday weekend or whatever, but I actually started following some body positive fit influencers online and am learning that everything is fine in moderation. I am also learning that we don’t need to punish ourselves for a cheat meal or for skipping the gym, you do what you can/want and just try and nourish your body!

I was taking walks and doing yoga classes via zoom all during the pandemic, but I’m back to in-person classes now, which is so much better. I try to do 2-5 classes per week and it really is so good for the soul!

I’m not trying to look a certain way or reach a certain number, honestly just hoping to fuel myself and stay healthy. My last doctor’s visit was on the cusp of concerning, so I’m just trying to get back in line 🙂

Have you all been trying any new foods that have been good?!

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