Low carb is changing my life.

[cheeseisthebest]

Posting this in chat as hoping it will be helpful.

Bit of backstory- I was diagnosed with high blood sugar and pre-diabetes several years ago. The advice then was just to cut down on sugar which I did and saw an improvement.

Couple of years later I went back to Doctors as I felt hungry all the time, high blood sugar and pre-diabetic again. The advice now was to cut out sugar and carbs.
I've tried and tried over the past couple of years but finally something has clicked.
Since 1st Jan I've had no carbs or anything sweet. This is a massive deal for me, I'm working at home, stressful job and homeschooling and food has always been my comfort and I just love sweet stuff.

However I feel full, so I'm eating less, I've lost almost 4lb, my mood is more stable, I dont think about food constantly. I'm enjoying treats like cheese and cream (in moderation!) I'm really hopeful that I've finally cracked this.

I'm not sure why its different after so many attempts but I really dont want to end up with a serious health condition (type 2 diabetes) that is one of the few health conditions that you can have control over.

Just wanted to share in case this is helpful to anyone.

[Catty1720]

Ah I see @cheeseisthebest makes sense I did warn I’d sound stupid 🤣
You titled the thread low carb not no carbs so I wouldn’t worry

[PlentyofButter]

Could you post some typical meals for a bit of inspo?

[MysweetAudrina]

Come over to the low carb threads on the weight loss topic. Low carb boot camp starting on Monday and loads of resources, recipes, inspiration and support there too.

[Ohdoleavemealone]

I would really like this but I have 3 others to cater for and I just don't think I can stick to it!

[WishITookLifeSeriously]

[quote Toomanycats99]@WishITookLifeSeriously

I've reduced carbs rather than going completely carb free. One nice mean I link is pancetta and mushroom fried then boil a small amount of spaghetti and then add courgette to the water at the last moment (I just grate it) with a sprinkling of cheese

Omelettes

I had a diet plan and key to it was having plenty of fibrous veg - broccoli spinach courgette etc.

I miss carbs way less than I expected. I am also trying to combine it with 16:8[/quote]
Thank you for your reply. I'm going to look into it more, I'm not sure I'm disciplined enough!

[Mylittlepea]

Low carb lifestyle is amazing.

Here is a brilliant site to get you started= www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/foods

Been doing this a year now, husband joined me and we’ve lost 4 stone between us.

I was a lifelong snacker and always thInking about my next meal/snack. Crashing up and down with blood sugar highs & lows. Now fat is our fuel rather than carbs and I rarely think about food in between meals.

It’s all or nothing though - not a diet you can stop/start. Once you lose the addiction to sugar, it’s a game changer.

Still not convinced? Watch ‘the magic pill’ - trailer here. It’s mind blowing.

Good luck x

Ps I’m prone to high cholesterol but my recent blood tests show it’s normal, liver fats down, and high blood pressure almost back to normal now too.

[Catty1720]

@mumofone2019 I see thank you will check out the video

[Sallygoround631]

I don't do low carb, just a fairly basic balanced diet I guess.

but I always notice on these threads, someone who 'low carb' doesn't work for will come along to poop on it and bring out the cancer word.

it's.....predictable.

(also, if you are going to try to terrify people with the cancer word, please do provide valid source material to back it up, ta!)

[cheeseisthebest]

@MysweetAudrina

Come over to the low carb threads on the weight loss topic. Low carb boot camp starting on Monday and loads of resources, recipes, inspiration and support there too.

Already signed up!

[snappyoldfartpants]

@TheRattleBag after about 3-4 days the craving goes away, and after about 2 weeks just the thought of eating white toast or a big lump of bread makes you feel a bit off.

It's amazing how quickly cutting out processed carbs can have such a fast impact and well done OP.

One piece of advice if you do cave and eat a ton of pasta, don't worry at all. In fact I allow a cheat day once a week for my pizza 🍕

[supercee]

God yeah, after a period off the bread and you eat some it's like swallowing lead.

[Sunnydaysarethebestdays]

Are you literally just cutting out the obvious carbs (bread, rice, pasta and potatoes) or are you following a specific low carb diet?
It all sounds really beneficial what everyone has said and I think I could do swaps for the obvious carbs but I’m not sure I could follow a specific low carb diet.

[cheeseisthebest]

For now just the obvious carbs and sugar. I do still have sweetener in my coffee, I'm working on that!!

[NancyDrew1966]

Can anyone recommend a low carb recipe book or website ? Dp did keto years ago and lost loads of weight. Sadly over the last 5 years he's put it back on. He's the heaviest he's ever been, not helped by getting covid in december and being pretty much housebound for a few weeks. Some of the recipes I have seen don't seem that appetising tbh....

[Sunnydaysarethebestdays]

I can do the obvious swaps I think and I don’t have sugar in tea or coffee but I am a huge sugars addict (chocolate, biscuits, cakes) so that will be my challenge. But it sounds like I will feel better for cutting out those few things.
Thank you for posting this.

[cheeseisthebest]

Sunnydays I have tried and failed so many times, just take it one day at a time. When you want chocolate or biscuits have something else.

[MsMeNz]

I struggle low carbing eating so much protein makes me I'll and I stick with intermittent fasting but so long as what works for an individual is helping and.not harming that's great and it's so good to find you thing and it sticks!

[cheeseisthebest]

Prepare some snacks, cheese, ham, cooked fish, veg sticks.

[FrenchBoule]

Well done OP
Something I need to do (again) as my weight has creeped up with too much food/drink.
I have done it once and still remember how hard the first week was.

[snappyoldfartpants]

Simple breakfast.

Real Greek yogurt with fruit for breakfasts you can mix in a Flavoured protein shake and some bits of dark chocolate, mix it all in Tupperware that is 3 breakfasts sorted.

Or eggs.
Or porridge with flaxseed, peanut butter, fruits

Simple lunch
Tuna tin mixed with red onions and mango chutney. Or tuna and Mayo with pepper, with salad.

Avocado is good for healthy fats.

Boil and egg and grab a salad, tomatoes peppers etc.

Salmon and the same above add some grains if you get hungry or use chicken etc.

Snacks
Protein shakes
Nuts (a handful)
Dark chocolate (small chunks)
Drink lots of herbal tea and water
Raise cakes with quality peanut butter

Key is to keep your blood sugar level.

Then dinner!
I'll eat anything and just remove the carbs, so burgers, chicken, steaks I just add more salad and I always have some cous cous ready to make in a few minutes to replace chips or processed carbs, but most days I'm pretty full.

Pile on the veggies

Evenings
Water
Jelly is actually a great one frozen in ice cubes to stop the grab for sweets or puddings.


Once you get the hang of balancing protein and fats with carbs a bit lower it will gradually all come together, and you won't be hungry.

[ElizaLaLa]

I'm 11 days in, for the same BG reasons.

Does anyone else get keto insomnia? I swear I only need 4-5hrs a night.