Friday 16 December 2011

The low carb food pyramid.


Contrary to what some people will tell you, us low carbers do not base our food on saturated fat. We start with vegetables (non starchy) then add proteins, then healthy fats, nuts, seeds and low carb fruit. Check out the food pyramid, it is the very opposite to the food pyramid that has led to the epidemics of obesity, heart disease and type two diabetes.

Lowcarb Pear, Cinnamon and cream sponge cake.



Ingredients:
100g ground almonds
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon of melted butter
2 tablespoons of double cream
2 tea spoons of cinnamon
120 grams of pear quarters 

Method:
Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Almonds, baking powder and cinnamon.
Melt the butter, I use a Pyrex jug, add the eggs, cream, then add the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour mix into a 6" x 3" micro-wave safe glass dish, cook at 700 watts for 3 minutes. Allow to cool and cut in half. Spread on extra thick cream and add tinned pear quarters, dust with cinnamon powder. Serves four. 

Lowcarb vegetarian and vegan food ideas.


A quick internet search might lead you to think that low carbers and vegetarians or vegans don’t mix. However, I don’t see why this should be, since there are plenty of foods that can form a balanced low carb vegan diet. In this article you will find suggestions for a low carb menu plan, some nutritional info and a list of low carb vegan foods.
Vegan/vegetarian low carb meal suggestions.

Breakfast:

Tofu scramble or omelette/ scrambled eggs or omelette 
Yoghurt with ground nuts and bran and some red fruit 
Hot soy milk with ground nut and bran cereal (beats oatmeal any day)
Smoothie with red fruit 
Slices of nut bread and a cup of hot soy milk cocoa

Lunch: 

Low carb bread sandwich with cheese, nut butter or (vegan) mayo and veggies (see link section below for a nice vegan bread recipe)
Salad with lettuce or cabbage, some seeds, spicy tofu or tempeh (or cheese) and a dressing of oil, tahini or mayo.
Vegan kebab or gyros and sauce in a lettuce wrap
Soup with (soy) cream, veggies and protein.
Leftovers from yesterday’s dinner.

Dinner: 

Cauliflower or celeriac mashed with cream, sautéed kale and mushrooms, veg*an sausage
Indian curry with coconut milk, veggies and protein 
Stir fried veggies and protein with soy sauce
Baked pumpkin with thyme, celeriac mash and a vegan burger
Seitan veggie stew based on soy flour roux
Vegan meatloaf with veggies and mushroom gravy
Chili with veggies and mincemeat analogue
Shepherd’s pie with vegan meat and mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes
Spinach quiche made with eggs or pureed tofu.
Baked vegetable gratin with cream and/or cheese, vegans can use soy or nut cream mixed with nutritional yeast (like those used in mac & cheese recipes).

Dessert:

Cheesecake (made with cream cheese or pureed nuts and tofu)
Tofu chocolate mousse
Baked goods ( low carb vegan baking ) 

Snacks: 

Veggies dipped in pesto, olive tapenade, soy bean hummus or guacamole 
Olives
Nuts and seeds
Avocado