Question Thread for New Year Bootcampers

[BigStickBIWI]

As there are so many of us doing this, the chat thread is moving pretty quickly - and it means that lots of questions are being missed.

So here is a specific thread you to post any questions you might have about Bootcamp or low carbing.

[Wilding]

Me me! I have one! Is cheese OK to snack on? From various things I've read I thought it wasn't ideal, but I don't eat meat or boiled eggs, and since we're not allowed nuts yet I've been racking my brains to try and think of alternatives...

[BigStickBIWI]

Cheese is OK to snack on, although you need to be sure that you don't have a problem with dairy - for some people, dairy can impede weight loss.

Atkins also says you should restrict it to 3-4 oz per day. (Although frustratingly doesn't say why!)

Do you like olives? They are good to snack on and very low in carbs.

[Yddraigoldragon]

If you do not eat meat then cheese is essential for you I would think. Put a blob of mayo on it!?

Something else to try - peppers, mushrooms, spring onion, cooked bacon, ham etc - all fried and scrambled with eggs - makes something that tastes a bit like the middle of a quiche, can be eaten cold and is good for lunchboxes and snacks.

[BigStickBIWI]

Celery or cucumber are also low carb veg that make good snacks - topped with cream cheese or pate

[BigStickBIWI]

Oh yes - there's a lovely recipe for asparagus frittata on the recipe thread that would be good for snacking on

That said, once you're in ketosis you will find that you aren't hungry, so may not need to snack at all. (And if you continue to be hungry, then it's a sign that you're not eating enough fat, which could be an issue for you as a veggie)

[Wilding]

Thanks for the tips! I have some olives downstairs so will dig them out. Like the idea of cold eggy fry-up as well

[Wilding]

Mmm, cream cheese

[Wilding]

Awesome - I'm taking notes so I can remember these for the future!

Only started today so will take my body a little while to get used to things, I think. And good point about the fat; I'm not sure I had enough fat with my lunch which is probably why I'm peckish now. I'll have to keep an eye on that.

[BigStickBIWI]

Question from BlackAffronted:

"Whats your take on protein shakes for breakfast Biwi? I have a low carb whey protein powder (unflavoured) which woudl be 1.5 carbs per shake, I was going to add water and either cream or alpro to it, and a dollop of coconut oil because I struggle to make/eat breakfast and it would be ideal for me. Is it a no-no in bootcamp?"

I know that a lot of people struggle with breakfast, and so protein shakes come into their own here. My concern with them, really, would be the ingredients, and how artificial/processed they are. But if it means you're eating and it stops you cheating, then I suppose they are OK!

[slatternlymother]

I'm thinking about doing a veg box next week. It has potatoes and carrots in, and they say you can swap if you speak to them in advance. Do you think it'd be reasonable to ask to swap potatoes and carrots (and other carby 'bad' veg, for celeriac/swede/kale/broccolli and double up?

Also, I drink skimmed milk. Is that ok? Should I switch to full fat?

[Ruprekt]

Babybel
Cream cheese
Boursin with celery
Fish pates

Pepperami
Pork scratchings

All are good snacks.

[Ruprekt]

My question BIWI is

'Do you think you should give up work so you can work for Mumsnet and be a Low Carb Leader?'

I think you would be great!!!! Then you could sit on the pooter and answer our questions all day!!!

[BigStickBIWI]

Who do you get your box from, slatternlymother? Mine is from Abel & Cole, and it's up to me to choose what I want in there. I don't think it's unreasonable at all to ask to substitute carby for less carby - in fact I think it's a great idea!

Assume the milk is for tea/coffee?

Whole milk is 4.7g carbs per 100ml/Semi-skimmed is 5g carbs per 100 ml, so they are both pretty carby. But the fat is different - 3.6g for whole milk compared with 1.7g for semi-skimmed.

So definitely better on the fat front to switch to whole milk, but milk, generally is to be avoided.

[Ruprekt]

The almond milk looks fine too. Unsweetened in coffee is very low carbs.

[Jacaqueen]

I don't like full fat milk in tea so I use semi skim Lactofree milk. It has half the carbs of regular milk.

[slatternlymother]

I literally only have a splash though in the 2 or 3 cups of tea I have every day. I take coffee black and don't have milk at all otherwise.

BIWI I was looking at the local Cornish delivery box company in Truro, Abel & Cole probably don't come down this far

[slatternlymother]

Hmmm Lactofree might be worth a bash... Thanks Jacaqueen

[colette]

I am considering cooking the asian style meatballs ( in recipes ) and am wary of buying peanut butter as I would be tempted to eat half a jar although it could make a useful snack with veg
How much peanut butter would be reasonable to eat a day ? Which brands don't have added sugar ?

thanks

[thekitchenfairy]

Thank you BIWI I have a question

Today I feel nauseous and not v hungry unless i am dreaming of a chocolate biscuit... but when I do eat everything tastes fishy.

Any ideas for a non-fishy food or should I just go with it and splash fish sauce all over tonight's dinner?

[BigStickBIWI]

@ Ruprekt! I wonder if MNHQ would pay me for this?

[barleywood]

Just marking place...trying to keep up with the threads

[BigStickBIWI]

colette - I seem to remember someone saying that Sainsbury's Basics was the lowest in carbs, so I've just checked that and it's 3.9g carbs per 100g, so not that bad. Per tablespoon, if you are so minded (!) that's 0.8g, so you will have to go easy on it if you're scoffing out of the jar.

Whole Earth doesn't have any sugar, but the carb count is massive - 16.8g carbs per 100g. I would think this is because they put a lot more peanuts into their peanut butter compared to the Basics one!

thekitchenfairy bleurgh at things tasting fishy! I would think that you are in ketosis, which is a good thing. Drink plenty of water and it will pass soon. If you like fish, then go with the fish sauce option

[thekitchenfairy]

Slatternly

I use the CFB and they got a bit of a shock today when I asked for so many swaps, you can only say what you don't want and subs depend on whatvis available... So I said no carrots or spuds by I may get spuds anyway so will feed to DCs.

I said anything green is good and will take celeriac rather than leek.

They are v helpful and better value than Abel or Riverford I think.

Are you near to Truro? Thrones veg shop is fab... Greens, cauli, celeriac, kale for bargainous prices

[thekitchenfairy]

Thank you BIWI

The water is definitely helping... Can I splash lime juice from a bottle into it? Not cordial, pure juice. Our tap water down here is not pleasant!!!

[Ruprekt]

Maybe you should report my post and bring it to their attention!!

Hell, I will report my post!!!!!!!!!!!!