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Low-carb diets

Sabotaged by my snacking habit

10 replies

OldBooks · 06/04/2017 20:59

I am trying to eat low carb meals as much as possible, without really limiting portion sizes or being very strict - I don't feel I can cope with that right now but still want to try to be more healthy iyswim.

I really enjoy the low carb meals that I prepare but then I get so hungry/tired/fuzzy headed in between meals that I reach for whatever crap is to hand just so I can keep going. I don't drink coffee so sugary/carby food gives me that buzz (even though I know I will crash).

Today, for example, DD2 had me up from 4am then I had a full day at work. Breakfast was Greek yoghurt with almonds and an apple. Lunch was roasted pepper and artichoke with avocado and hummus on dark Ryvita. But in between meals I had a hot chocolate, croissant, yogurt coated peanuts and chocolate

What can I snack on that will give me some energy back and satisfy that tired, fuzzy brained feeling but not totally sabotage the work I am doing with main meals?

I would love some ideas please! I want to move towards cutting snacks altogether but think this is unrealistic at the moment so eating better snacks will have to be the compromise.

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KikiMadeMeDoIt · 07/04/2017 07:56

Have you checked that you're getting your fat/protein/carbs ratios right? Ryvita are really carby, so they won't be helping you feel full up. Also, it sounds as if there's not enough fat, which will be making you hungry. Could you log what you're eating into My Fitness Pal so that you can see the figures?

If you have fat/protein snacks and you're still eating carbs, then you will put on weight and feel hungry, so the best plan would be to cut down on carbs first.

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OldBooks · 07/04/2017 09:54

I will have to look into that Kiki, I don't know what the correct ratios are

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KikiMadeMeDoIt · 07/04/2017 12:40

Have you had a look at the Bootcamp threads? There's loads of good advice there.

Low carb meals shouldn't give you that dizzy feeling, my post-sugar-rush shakes went away when I switched to low-carbing (but you really have to embrace eating fat, which is counter-intuitive at the beginning, but does start to make sense pretty soon).

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BIWI · 16/04/2017 14:54

@oldbooks

I really enjoy the low carb meals that I prepare but then I get so hungry/tired/fuzzy headed in between meals that I reach for whatever crap is to hand just so I can keep going. I don't drink coffee so sugary/carby food gives me that buzz (even though I know I will crash)

This would suggest that a) you're not eating enough b) you're not eating enough fat c) you're not drinking enough water or d) all of those!

Today, for example, DD2 had me up from 4am then I had a full day at work. Breakfast was Greek yoghurt with almonds and an apple. Lunch was roasted pepper and artichoke with avocado and hummus on dark Ryvita. But in between meals I had a hot chocolate, croissant, yogurt coated peanuts and chocolate blush

This really isn't low carb - apple, hummus, ryvita are all very carby - and if you're snacking on stuff like that, then you're undoing any good work you've been doing with your main meals.

What can I snack on that will give me some energy back and satisfy that tired, fuzzy brained feeling but not totally sabotage the work I am doing with main meals?

If you need to snack, look at things like cheese, olives, cooked (low carb) sausages, or veg snacks like celery/cucumber, with pate or cream cheese.

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OldBooks · 16/04/2017 17:11

Thanks for the feedback. I was trying to reduce carbs (maybe lower carb rather than low carb would be a better description) without having to weigh and measure which makes me feel like I am on a diet (psychologically I then set myself up for failure) and which I find time consuming. I based those meals on recipes in the blood sugar diet book.

I suppose there is no getting around weighing ingredients in order to get the ratios correct. I know low carb/high fat will work for me as I have done it before - but since having DC I have not been able to stick to any diet, whether because of being exhausted, stressed, taking antidepressants for pnd etc. Sigh.

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BIWI · 16/04/2017 17:31

Come and join us on Bootcamp! I designed it to be specifically about no weighing or counting, because a) I'm a lazy cow and b) I didn't want to feel like I was on a diet.

We're just finishing this Bootcamp, but the chat thread will continue, so there will be lots of support, and then the next one will start mid-May.

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OldBooks · 16/04/2017 20:12

The boot camp looked scary and hardcore when I looked at it but will look again!

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BIWI · 16/04/2017 20:51

But we're all very friendly! It's only the first two weeks that are so hardcore. But to be honest, a diet where you can eat cheese, cream and olive oil surely can't be that bad, can it?!

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OldBooks · 16/04/2017 21:26

I will have a proper look at the spreadsheet and get my head around it

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OldBooks · 18/04/2017 12:46

OK, I am in. I will start some of the basics to get into the habit by mid-May - like drinking min 3.5 pints water. I ordered a shop that is full of veggies, eggs, meat and cheese.

Of course since making the decision I have been eating like someone has declared a famine outbreak tomorrow . But that's the psychology side of things and I will try to read up on emotional eating before mid-May too.

I feel like if I can just get started and stick to something I might get somewhere. I CAN commit to 2 weeks and if I see a difference that will help.