Any low-carbers?

[Tree]

A couple of my things to snack on

Almonds-I get the 100 calories pack. Otherwise I might eat the whole can.

Pickle roll-ups-I some deli turkey or ham, a slice of american cheese and a pickle I usually do 2-3 roll-ups. I sliced up a dill pickle long wise. A dot of spicy mustard and split the cheese between the roll-ups.

I will make my own "bean dips" just a can of beans or chickpea put them into the food processor with a bit of water and some spices. I will dip in veggies. Carrots, celery. cucumbers or peppers for the most part.

 

[Dancind]

For me, the most important thing the first two weeks or so is to NOT get hungry! If you feel like you need to snack, you may not be eating enough. Fat is good when you are low carbing, but make sure they are good fats. They keep you full longer.

When my daughter restarts (which she has done several times), I make sure she has some Powerade Zero or something similar to drink. That really helps prevent the "Induction flu".

 

[lovetoscrap]

PSA for low carbers. If you are being nice and making carbs for your family DO NOT try to make them awesome! I made a batch of roasted potatoes tonight that turned our perfectly and I ended up eating too many of them. If I had made them kind of mushy or burned like I usually do I would have had no problems passing them up!

 

[ShesAPirate]

Hi everyone!

I started LC/Atkins about a week ago. Today is the hungriest I've been, but I believe that's because I cut out almonds. SF Jello to the rescue!

I've done Atkins before with great success, losing 45lbs in 4 months -- but I was younger then, and I smoked (quit almost 3 years ago, resulting in a lot of my re-gaining), so ... weight loss was easier. I don't expect the pounds to fall off as easily this time, but they *will* fall off. Besides, I feel good on Atkins -- more energetic and not at all bloated

I'm so glad I found this thread. Having a support system is a huge part of weight loss for me -- so thank you all in advance

 

[KDIPIAZZ]

All I can tell you about the carbs - I limit myself to under 30 grams a day!

HOW? I had a salad - what I considered to be a very healthy salad with black beans, lettuce, cheese, mushrooms, cucumbers, olives, onion and garbanzos and it came it at 19 grams. Another one of those at dinner and I'm already at 38 grams/day.

I'm struggling to come in under 100 grams per day :-(

 

[BareNecessities]

That sounds just like the snacks and appetizers I often make! I have been a "Somersizer" for over 12 years (fell off the wagon a few times, but regretted it enough to get back on). In Somersizing, you are separating meals, based on their carb content. And the carbs you do eat, in fact everything you eat, should never be beyond a certain number (on the glycemic index or glycemic load). So for the non-carb meals, they end up being a lot like an Atkins, or South Beach style meal.

The entire system is based on the effects of food on your blood sugar, and the specifics of digestion (in the way blood sugar will / won't be affected by the food you eat).

That means that when you are eating at Level 1, (whether it's a carb, or a protein meal) you will never get to eat potatoes, carrots, real chocolate, white pasta or any form of sugar, nor any "mixed" foods (nuts, avocado, seeds). It was a bit complex at first, so I followed one of their menu plans "to a T." It also prohibits what I call high-octane caffeine (coffee, soda, chocolate). I felt great hunger at first, even though I was allowed to eat as much protein as I felt like. After about 3-4 days, things improved a lot, and after the first 2 weeks, I knew this was IT....I felt sooo great....as I hadn't felt since my early twenties.

Now, it's a breeze. Even back when I started, I found my energy levels soaring when I ate this way. Now with my age, and more recent health concerns, I find that if I don't eat that way, my energy levels drop to rock bottom, I don't sleep well, and I get sick much more easily.

You can do "maintenance" with Level 2; that's when you can mix small portions of foods that would be a "no-no" in Level 1 - but this way of eating still concentrates on healthy choices; which means no white sugar, nor any white flour products, as they remain on the "don't eat" list.

It made me look for, and find out, when and how to eat healthier versions of my fave foods - like pasta, and how to introduce those higher-carb foods "safely." If I've been off the wagon, it takes about a month of eating this way, for the weight to start melting off again. But the energy returns much faster - within a few days.

I have been to WDW many times and maintained this way of eating - really easy in the quick-service food choices too; of course, on every trip, I try to include at least one important food category: a Mickey bar

I bought several of the recipe books, and there are soooo many websites from which to get hundreds more ideas of how to make different versions of foods you love. Easiest desserts: creme brulee and cheesecake. I've even found a great "bun" recipe to replace the bread you can't have with a protein meal, or for sandwiches. The quickest and easiest meals are what I call "stir-fry" or "sauteed" meals....some kind of meat, with some veggies thrown in towards the end. I like to cook, and like to find easy, healthy and cheap ways, to make the things I want anyway, in as healthy a way as I can find.

 

[Dancind]

Kdipazz, beans, including garbanzos, are not a low carb food. Are you trying to do a vegetarian version? If not, leave the beans off and put some meat on your salad! Also make sure your dressing has no sugar in it.

 

[KDIPIAZZ]

Kdipazz, beans, including garbanzos, are not a low carb food. Are you trying to do a vegetarian version? If not, leave the beans off and put some meat on your salad! Also make sure your dressing has no sugar in it.

*sigh* I know, but they are high in fiber! BTW, I don't use salad dressing at all, unless I make it myself (Greek yogurt and salsa) I'm trying to find the perfect mix of fiber, carbs, protein and fat. So far, it's just been frustrating!

 

[ShesAPirate]

*sigh* I know, but they are high in fiber! BTW, I don't use salad dressing at all, unless I make it myself (Greek yogurt and salsa) I'm trying to find the perfect mix of fiber, carbs, protein and fat. So far, it's just been frustrating!

I don't understand -- are you trying to do a low-carb diet, or just eat a more balanced diet? For a LC diet -- like Atkins, for example, your total focus is on limiting carbs, not fat or protein. You can have salad dressing (as long as you check the carb content -- some are loaded with sugar). I personally enjoy Cardini's Caesar, and Ken's Buttermilk Ranch. Both are 1gram of carbs for 2 tablespoons.

But you can't have beans, no matter how high the fiber. The total net carbs is still too high for a true LC diet. I'm right now doing 20grams or less per day -- and the majority of those carbs come from veggies.

There are other ways to get fiber with less carbs. Spinach and other dark leafy greens like kale or chard, broccoli, and mushrooms, among others...

Hope this helps!

 

[Dancind]

Sorry, but the latest nutrition thinking is that you don't need all that fiber in your diet. If you eat veggies and fruit, you will get plenty.

I've been reading the Primal Blueprint, check out Mark's Daily Apple blog. Really good information. And boy do I feel better when I stick to his plan. I had a "low carb" lavosh last night that had a bit of wheat in it, and feeling not so great today.

It's more of a low to moderate carb plan, with all carbs coming from veggies and a bit of fruit.

 

[ShesAPirate]

FYI, fellow LCers -- last night I made a wonderful soup!

I started with this recipe
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/chunky_chicken_veg_soup2.html
and tweaked it to my tastes/needs. For example, I left out the carrots and heavy cream, and I replaced the squash with kale. I also used one of those already-made rotisserie chickens from the supermarket instead of raw chicken breast, and Pacific organic low-sodium chicken broth (got it at Costco) rather than the canned (I love salt, but the canned stuff is just ridiculously salty). The only other thing I did differently was cook it on a super-low flame for about an hour -- just because I think the flavors combine better the longer it simmers in one pot.

It came out so yummy! Easy prep, and it hit the spot on such a chilly winter night I'm looking forward to trying other soup recipes. I'd never made soup before, and I was really happy with how this came out

 

[KDIPIAZZ]

I don't understand -- are you trying to do a low-carb diet, or just eat a more balanced diet? For a LC diet -- like Atkins, for example, your total focus is on limiting carbs, not fat or protein. You can have salad dressing (as long as you check the carb content -- some are loaded with sugar). I personally enjoy Cardini's Caesar, and Ken's Buttermilk Ranch. Both are 1gram of carbs for 2 tablespoons.

But you can't have beans, no matter how high the fiber. The total net carbs is still too high for a true LC diet. I'm right now doing 20grams or less per day -- and the majority of those carbs come from veggies.

There are other ways to get fiber with less carbs. Spinach and other dark leafy greens like kale or chard, broccoli, and mushrooms, among others...

Hope this helps!

I'm counting carbs in hopes of lowering my blood glucose. Even after cutting out everything "white", I'm still around 100 carbs per day. When you say 20 g carbs per day, is that net carbs? IF I subtract fiber and figure net carbs, my counts are much lower. I was just counting plain ol' carbs without factoring in fiber. Net carbs gives me a much lower number

As for salad dressing, I just plain don't like it...never have...especially ranch. Cottage cheese or the greek yogurt/salsa mix is plenty of dressing for me.

 

[chobie]

Just went back on the low-carb bandwagon 8 days ago. I did Atkins 10 years ago -- lost about 30 pounds -- and kept that off for years. The last few years though, I let most of that creep back on. I know its going to be harder this time because I'm over forty now, but I realize it has to be a lifestyle.

This time I'm not doing Atkins, per se, but cutting out most carbs and also counting calories. I am allowing myself some fruits (a handful of strawberries, a half a grapefruit, etc.) but overall my carbs are under 50 a day.

I always feel better when I'm cutting out sugars, breads, rice etc.

 

[chobie]

I'm counting carbs in hopes of lowering my blood glucose. Even after cutting out everything "white", I'm still around 100 carbs per day. When you say 20 g carbs per day, is that net carbs? IF I subtract fiber and figure net carbs, my counts are much lower. I was just counting plain ol' carbs without factoring in fiber. Net carbs gives me a much lower number

As for salad dressing, I just plain don't like it...never have...especially ranch. Cottage cheese or the greek yogurt/salsa mix is plenty of dressing for me.

Yes, Greek yogurt is a lifesaver. I use tzaiki (sp?) sauce for salad dressing and in place of mayo. Costo has this jalepeno greek yogurt dip that is low fat, low cal and low carb -- and delish! Also on sale this month.

 

[Dancind]

Chobie, that does sound delish, will look for it today! We have decided to rejoin Costco and ignore our Sam's club membership because of the choices at Costco. They have more organic meats, eggs etc, and here it seem like fresher produce.

We are eating more vegetables in this New Year. I had been letting more carbs in the form of "low carb" goodies sneak back into my diet. So it's time to recommit! I have not gained back any weight doing this, but certainly haven't lost any more. I seem to have more energy too, nice benefit.

 

[KDIPIAZZ]

Yes, Greek yogurt is a lifesaver. I use tzaiki (sp?) sauce for salad dressing and in place of mayo. Costo has this jalepeno greek yogurt dip that is low fat, low cal and low carb -- and delish! Also on sale this month.

I'm not a fan of mayo either. I do like tzatziki (looked up the spelling ;P)sauce on gyros...that would probably be a good dip as well! I'll have to look for the Costco dip!

 

[ShesAPirate]

I'm counting carbs in hopes of lowering my blood glucose. Even after cutting out everything "white", I'm still around 100 carbs per day. When you say 20 g carbs per day, is that net carbs? IF I subtract fiber and figure net carbs, my counts are much lower. I was just counting plain ol' carbs without factoring in fiber. Net carbs gives me a much lower number

As for salad dressing, I just plain don't like it...never have...especially ranch. Cottage cheese or the greek yogurt/salsa mix is plenty of dressing for me.

I am talking about net carbs, yeah. If you want to stay under 20g of net carbs per day, you might want to check out the Atkins acceptable foods list for the Induction phase. Or see if you can find any meal plans for a low carb diet.

As far as the salsa, how much are you using? Some salsas can be a little high in carbs, too. Reading the nutritional labels is very important. And a good carb-counter online is good to have. AND of course coming here with questions is a great idea. That's what I love about these threads -- so many people willing to help!

 

[TheDisDork]

Personally, I actually really like the GNC Lean Shakes! They're so low in carbs and they keep me full for a nice chuck of time! Give me some greek yogurt and some almonds later and I'm a happy camper!