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Low-carb bootcamp

Join discussions about low-carb bootcamp plans, meals and progress. Consider speaking to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

2015 January Low Carb Bootcamp - helpful products/brands/foods

35 replies

BIWI · 18/01/2015 19:28

I thought it might also be useful to have a thread about products that you have come across that might be helpful for us as we start Bootcamp.

One of my favourite things is shirataki noodles

They're very, very low carb and really great in any kind of noodle dish. At a push, they can be used instead of pasta, although they're really more like a rice noodle.

Anyway, if you come across anything that is especially low carb, why not post it here?

(Please double check the carb count before you post though!)

OP posts:
Wombat22 · 18/01/2015 19:32

Hello BIWI. Do shirataki noodles need to be washed before cooking them? I have seen a few things about them but not seen them in the shops

Original poster
BIWI · 18/01/2015 19:39

Yes they definitely do! They come in a pack with some kind of liquid - I have no idea what it is - and as well as draining them they need to be rinsed thoroughly. The liquid they're packed in smells horribly of fish. But don't let that put you off. It's the liquid and not the noodles!

Rinse them thoroughly and then there won't be a problem.

OP posts:
Original poster
BIWI · 18/01/2015 19:39

The noodles aren't made with fish, by the way! They're made from the konjac, which the Japanese call a yam. It's not the kind of yams that we know, however.

OP posts:
Original poster
BIWI · 18/01/2015 20:05

Oh, something I found today that is really brilliant as a small, quick snack:

Marmite Cheese Bites

Each one is 20g and 0.2g carbs.

Because it's Marmite, it's a really strong, tangy taste, so it's very satisfying.

(And yes, I know it's probably a processed food, but in moderation and all that Grin)

OP posts:
Original poster
BIWI · 18/01/2015 20:28

The Black Farmer sausages

These are fabulous. Only 0.67g carbs each!

OP posts:
Original poster
BIWI · 18/01/2015 20:29

... so you could eat all 6 sausages and only have 4g carbs

OP posts:
craftykits · 19/01/2015 06:29

I bought some Debbie and Andrew sausages from Tesco yesterday which are 0.5 g per sausage apparently.......

MushroomTree · 19/01/2015 08:39

Not quite a low carb product but I found having one of those effervescent multi-vitamins helps to tackle the "3pm slump".

I know we need to watch out for sweeteners etc. but one of those has to be better than a biscuit?!

Fatstacks · 19/01/2015 09:21

According to the asda online values their own brand Extra Special pork and leek are 0.5 too.

Also the Extra Special Louisiana Cajun are 0.9.
I'm hoping the cajun ones will be ok as they are very very very nice.
In fact so nice I could actually serenade the manwho makes em Grin

AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons · 19/01/2015 10:13

BIWI - Ooooh love the look of those Marmite cheddar bites.

StuntNun · 19/01/2015 11:45

Marks & Spencer do 95% sausages and chipolatas that are Bootcamp friendly.

JuanPotatoTwo · 19/01/2015 14:28

M & S do some crispy type bacon slice things, which are nice crumbled over a salad or eaten as they are if you want something with a bit of a crunch. They're low carb but are processed so not top many :)

olivesnutsandcheese · 19/01/2015 15:37

Sainsbury's currently have John West no drain tuna steak in olive oil half price - now one pound.

Might be good for work lunches

readyforno2 · 19/01/2015 16:04

Just ordered some of those noodles.
This thread is a great idea, just wish I had something to add

Original poster
BIWI · 19/01/2015 21:16

Mushroom - the thing is, if you're following this WOE properly, you shouldn't be getting the 3pm slump!

OP posts:
MassaAttack · 20/01/2015 08:29

I know it's been said amillion times before, but frozen cauliflower is brilliant, especially if you are cooking for others. I blast some in the microwave and squish it up a bit with black pepper and butter - it goes with everything. I even have it with things like puttanesca or Thai curry (although no butter with the Thai) - I don't find it at all weird tasting.

I don't bother making cauli rice etc. Too much fuss. Frozen is less faff and probably cheaper than fresh.

nowitsenough · 20/01/2015 10:43

BIWI, where did you find the Marmite bites? I used to buy them at our local Sainsburys, but now they no longer stock them. Dh loves them (he's following a low carb diet along with me too).

SinclairSpectrum · 20/01/2015 11:10

Probably been mentioned before but as an alternative to squash / pop I put a fruit tea bag into the top of a 2l bottle of sparkling water at the start of the day. Because the water is cold the flavour doesn't get too strong and it definitely makes the water more palatable.
Today is cranberry and raspberry.
Obviously zero carbs.

miffy49 · 20/01/2015 12:52

It may be just a local thing Nowits. I have only found them in Sainsburys but I can get them both on-line and in our local store. Do they have another branch nearby that you could try? Hope they are being phased out. DH would cry! Grin

Sinclair I posted a similar tip that I use having found it on the Harcombe site. I out two bags into a cup of boiling water and steep it for a good while. I pop it into a little bottle and add a splash to my water when I need a bit of flavour. As you get further into LC and away from the sugar it does actually taste slightly sweet.Smile I had cranberry and raspberry yesterday. Todays flavour of the day is mango and strawberry. The Aldi fruity bags are well flavoured too. They are just mixed berries.

Massa I like frozen cauli roasted. I find it roasts better than fresh as it steams a little first and then crisps up. I do mine with a splodge of light olive oil and some garam masala. Yum with a curry.

MushroomTree · 20/01/2015 19:41

I think the 3pm slump is more of a habit!

Can those noodles or similar be bought in a supermarket?

Also, can anyone recommend a low carb thai green curry paste?

ChesterDrawers · 21/01/2015 06:20

Morrisons also sell the Marmite bites. I love them but cheese is not my friend Sad

I love Tesco 95% pork sausages, only 1.5g per two. There are two packs of six for £5 or they also have two 10 packs for £7.

Original poster
BIWI · 21/01/2015 07:39

Mushroom - I saw a reference on one of the threads to Morrisons selling something that sounded similar - Barenaked, I think? And quick Google says Yes!

They aren't cheap - so it might be worth comparing them with the shirataki noodles that Amazon sell (they're all made from the same thing as far as I can see)

Thai Green Curry Paste looks like it's quite carby - at least on a 'per 100g' basis. I suppose it depends how much you're using though? The Blue Dragon one looks like it's the lowest carb at 10.8g per 100g. So if you were only using a couple of teaspoons, in a meal for 4, it wouldn't be that bad - obviously depending on what else you're planning on including in the meal!

nowitsenoughThe Marmite bites I bought were from Sainsbury - although it is a big store I use, so it's possible that they don't sell it in smaller stores.

OP posts:
MushroomTree · 21/01/2015 17:21

Thanks BIWI.

I'll look in to the noodles. Maybe I'll have to make own curry paste.

outtolunchagain · 21/01/2015 18:28

Have just discovered that the co OP truly irresistible pork sausages are only 0.6g carb per two sausages , have bought a pack to try tomorrow

BeyondDoesBootcamp · 21/01/2015 18:31

I found similar noodles (i think?) in asda, called eat water slim noodles. Apparently they also do pretend rice, spaghetti and pasta?!

I've not tried any of them yet though