Low-Carb Vegetarian Diets

Proponents of low-carbohydrate diets praise the health and weight-loss benefits of low-carb eating. Typically a fairly meat-heavy regimen, low-carb plans such as the Atkins diet can work for vegetarians, though following a low-carb vegetarian diet does mean you'll further limit an already limited diet.

About Low-Carb Vegetarian Diets

Low-carb diets gained popularity as a way to lose and keep off excess weight due in part to a series of books written by Robert Atkins, M.D., including "Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution" and "Atkins For Life." Low-carb diets restrict starchy carbohydrates, instead promoting more protein at mealtime. While traditional low-carb diets include lots of meat and animal protein, the popularity of low-carb diets has led to modifications for vegetarian diets as well.

Benefits

According to a study led by David J.A. Jenkins, M.D., nutrition and metabolism research chair in at Toronto's St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto, following a low-carb vegetarian diet may not only help people lose weight, it may also help lower cholesterol. In the study, published in the June 2009 issue of "Archives of Internal Medicine," 44 subjects ate either a low-carbohydrate, low-fat and plant-based protein diet or a high-carbohydrate lacto-ovo, or dairy and egg only, vegetarian diet for four weeks. While both groups lost an equal amount of weight, the subjects on the low-carb vegetarian diet, dubbed "Eco-Atkins" by the study authors, saw a 0.6 percent greater reduction in LDL cholesterol.

Criticism

Renee Simon, nutritional consultant to Mt. Kisco, New York's, Northern Westchester Hospital argues that low-carb vegetarian diets may be hard to sustain in the long run due to limited protein choices. Suzanne Havala Hobbs, R.D., from Chapel Hill, North Carolina's, School of Public Health also argues that a lack of long-term studies on the affect of low-carb diets should make vegetarians reconsider this option.

Low-Carb Options

Registered dietitian Eva Katz, coordinator of education and research for New York's Atkins Health and Medical Information Services, says that vegetarians on a low-carb diet still have plenty of healthful menu options and notes that a low-carb diet doesn't mean a no-carb diet. You can still have rice, barley and beans, says Katz, as long as focus remains more on vegetables, protein, oils and fat. Nuts, seeds, eggs, cheese and other sources of dairy are also acceptable protein sources, says Katz.

Further Insight

No matter what kind of diet you choose, Walter Willett, chair of Harvard School of Public Health's department of nutrition, recommends emphasizing plant sources in your diet and making smart choices about protein and fat. Additionally, make sure low-carb doesn't mean no-carb. According to American Dietetic Association spokesperson Joan Salge Blake, a person's body needs at least 130 g of carbs per day for efficient brain function.