Frustrated with my weight, and need carb help

[Jen117]

I am so frustrated with losing weight. After having my second child and losing the weight 2 times prior, I just don't have the same amount of time and energy to put forth on it.

This weekend I decided that I am eating way too many carbs. I love my carbs, but I know I do overeat them. However, I am not willing to give them up. But where do I start with cutting back? I read labels and realized that everything is loaded with carbs. Even vegetables. So what is a heathly level to eat? I know for sure I can't eat the level of Atkins because I would feel so deprived, I would binge. I just don't know where to begin and what to do to get me back on track.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I believe the average person eats 300 g of carbs per day, so low carb could be anything below that. I'd guess if you are just cutting back, try to cut back to 100 and see how you feel.

Cut out potatoes and rice and most of your bread. Corn is loaded with carbs too. Try to avoid processed foods as much as possible. It's really not hard to do.

I've been on Atkins for over 6 months. It's not for everyone, but once you get past induction you really don't feel deprived. You are right in that if you think you'll binge you will, so try different programs until you find one you are happy with. Good luck!

 

[Jen117]

300 grams??? Holey Cow, didn't know it was that much. When I saw that Atkins was less than 30, I thought there was no way I could cut my carbs. But I guess now that I see that we do eat a lot of carbs, it may not be so hard.

Is there a website that has carb listings on it or any other information that may be helpful? I just don't know where to begin because I have always been a point counter.

Thanks.

 

[stacy6552]

making easy choices is the way to go. Regular Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing have the fewest carbs for you salads. eat multigrain breads. Skip pasta, if you must have some get it al dente (less cooked which takes your body longer to process).

Stop eating fat free. To make fat free foods taste ok they load up on the carbs. Dont take sugar free to mean carb free. while the sugar free vanilla syrup at Starbucks has no carbs, sugar free Jolly Ranchers do.

Eat all your other foods firstm like your meats and veggies, so you will be fuller and maybe not eat all your potatoes or startches.

 

[Rhonda]

Veggie carbs are good! Processed food carbs are bad!

By veggies I mean: lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, radishes, green beans, pea pods, tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, jicama, spinach, etc., etc. No potatoes or corn. Limited peas, because they have higher sugar too.

As previously mentioned, salads are good - but be sure to use "real" salad dressings: blue cheese, ranch, italian are the best. No "low fat" or "fat-free" dressings - they are loaded with sugar/carbs. Also stay away from French dressings - they have a lot of sugar too.

Eat unlimited meats, eggs, and cheeses. Nuts are good - especially macadamia nuts and almonds.

Limit fruit to berries, apples, and cantaloupe. They are the lowest in sugar/carbs.

If you follow the above advice, you will easily stick under 60 carbs per day! Probably even lower than that! And, you won't feel like you're dieting because you can still eat a large amount of food!

When I go to a restaurant, I usually order a steak, or chicken breast - and substitute the potato with veggies. Most restaurants will do that for you. Sometimes I ask them to melt cheese on the veggies!

Good luck! You'll get plenty of support and encouragement right here!!

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Jen,

I'm doing the South Beach diet and I love it! It's not no carbs and no fat but good carbs and good fat. I like that. The first two weeks are called Phase I and you are limited to pretty much lean meats and veggies along with some dairy like low fat cheese, eggs, etc. By the end of the two weeks you are told your cravings for carbs will virtually be gone. I didn't believe it and wasn't looking to feel that way but it is so true! My husband and I were the biggest carb-a-holics out there! We had pizza several times a week, I could eat a quart of ice cream in 2 sittings, lots of cookies, mash potatoes and corn, french fries and take out.

We started Phase II of the SBD today and do not crave any of these things. I'm so suprised! In Phase II you begin to add good carbs back to your diet. I had a bowl of Bran cereal for breakfast that was heavenly! I never thought I would feel that way about cereal. You can have oatmeal, whole grain wheat bread, brown rice and dairy is back (milk and yogurt). There is a list of foods you should avoid in Phase II or eat sparingly but the SBD diet is designed in such a way that you never ever have to feel deprived. I have had some absolutely yummy meals and with 3 meals a day and 2 snacks plus dessert, the opportunities to eat and snack are so frequent, I'm never hungry. I lost 14 pounds during Phase I!

Every diet regime is not for everyone but I am thrilled with our progress on this new way of life. I hope you find the program that is right for you!

 

[RUDisney]

www.atkins.com has a carb counter that you can print out. I have mine in my purse so I can pull it out in restaurants when I'm trying to determine what I should eat.

As everyone has said, once past induction, you don't crave carbs anymore. You have so much energy that it gives you the strength to order a salad while everyone else is ordering pizza.