Diabetic vegan in need of low carb diet/cookbook

By Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc. Bachelor of Science degree, Certified Personal Trainer/Fitness Counselor, Health Advocate, Recipe Developer, Soy Food Connoisseur and the author of: Virtues of Soy: A Practical Health Guide and Cookbook. This is an archived Q&A. The following information might not be up-to-date.

Question: Does this kind of book exist? I've been going through my 200+ cookbook collection and can only find a few recipes here and a few there in between the vegetarian ones that are vegan and low carb. Have been recently been diagnosed with pre-diabetes2 and cautioned to go on a low carb diet. I went to a nutritionist who did draw up a meal plan, but she argued that I can't remain vegan, that I had to become vegetarian that I wouldn't be getting enough protein (and I of course became very hypoglycemic following her recommendations which were heavy on the peanut butter and not high enough on the fiber). This isn't working too well. Thanks for your help, Holly

Answer: Some excellent low carb, high protein foods include tempeh, textured soy protein (TSP, also known as textured vegetable protein or textured soy protein), seitan (wheat gluten), seeds, nuts, edamame and other beans and legumes. Tempeh, TSP (textured soy protein) and whole beans are especially great because they are also high in fiber. You may want to try lettuce wraps. Saute some tempeh strips and vegetables like onions, peppers, zucchini and mushrooms, and wrap them up in lettuce leaves. Seitan also works very well with lettuce wraps. You can make a terrific chili with TSP (textured soy protein), pinto beans, tomatoes, onions and peppers. Edamame can be eaten on its own as an appetizer, or a between meal snack. Salads are wonderful when topped with garbanzo beans, aisins, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. These are just a few examples of ways eat more vegetable proteins while lowering carb intake. I am not aware of a specific cookbook that focuses on a vegan diet for diabetics. However, you may want to go to http://www.diabetic-lifestyle.com/ for recipes, cookbooks and practical information about managing diabetes. You may need to be creative in your cooking and learn how to substitute lower carbohydrate foods for higher ones, and increase your consumption of vegetable proteins while still maintaining a balanced diet.