[Marchmallow]

Ok, so I'm trying new things to try and boost my weight loss, and after seeing a Biggest Loser contestant make a major break-through after switching to low-carb, I want to try it.

Firstly, I'm a vegan so this removes some of the options animal-eaters might have for proteins, like tuna and egg or whatever. But basically I'm not sure how much of what carb to restrict myself to. I mean, I adore pasta and rice and potatoes and bread, but I've steered clear of them for a couple of days, but I've just read someone saying fruit and veg are carbs to be avoided?! I basically live on them, with tofu and soy proteins, and some nuts and seeds! Advice??

[Linsy]

Some people, including myself, do extreme low carb (20 or less grams per day) and that works, but that may not work for everyone. Since you're vegan, I'd say you probably need more because of the lack of meat and cheese in your diet.

Do you eat meat substitutes, like boca or soy or veggie burgers? Those are very low carb, and instead of eating them on a bun you could wrap them in lettuce. You could do the same with tacos, and maybe add some beans if you need more bulk. Just wrap it in lettuce instead of a shell.

Spaghetti squash is an amazing pasta substitute. I like to simmer meatballs in homemade (no sugar) pasta sauce and pour it over spaghetti squash. You could use just plain sauce or a meat substitute...whichever you like.

If I were you, I'd work on eating more good carbs (veggie and fruit carbs) rather than carbs from wheat. Some of the lower carb fruits are blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and canteloupe. I don't know who said veg carbs should be avoided...on most low carb diets, veg carbs are supposed to be the bulk of your diet. I know I eat 20 carbs a day, and usually around 12 of them are from veggies like broccoli, green beans, lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, snap peas, squash, and zucchini.