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Original poster

Has anyone managed to sustain eating low-carb in the long term?

108 replies

Breakfastatlarrys · 15/10/2023 12:58

I feel really good eating low carb and lose weight, but always end up eating carbs again (a lot!) and put the weight back on, feel sluggish and ill. Has anyone managed to eat low carb in the long term (and in winter) - and do you have any tips?
I’m willing to be pretty moderate about it ie still eat pulses etc just cut out rice, potatoes, bread, chips etc… I even allow myself treats in restaurants but still always seem to end up sliding back, and it’s not just a weight thing. My skin, sleep and so many things are better when I eat low carb.

OP posts:
Jeevesnotwooster · 16/10/2023 07:04

DP was put on a low carb diet by his GP to control his T2 diabetes. It's here https://amclowcarb.com/green-foods-yellow-foods-red-foods/

It has green, amber and red lists. Green are to eat freely, amber in moderation and red to avoid or small amounts. No UPF. For him it needs to be a permanent change. We do have some carbs including pulses and legumes which I usually make in soup and salad. No meat for him as a veggie so so meat substitutes (and which do have some UPF). He feels much better on it.

I mostly follow it too but do have some carbs. A lot less than before though and rarely eat pasta, rice, bread etc.

The Zoe podcasts are also really interesting on this and gut health generally.https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/ZOE-Science-Nutrition-Podcast/B09T4QG5G9

Green Foods, Amber Foods, Red Foods

Green Foods, Amber Foods & Red Foods Taken from the Low Carb Program leaflet. The Low Carb Program is an excellent website with support on your low carb journey. If you would like to join pleas…

https://amclowcarb.com/green-foods-yellow-foods-red-foods

LoveRules · 16/10/2023 08:20

Im very interested to see the posts on this thread as my gut won't tolerate any carb apart from (white) rice or corn. Pulses and potatoes are the worst but I'm ok with peanuts and peas.

I tend to eat loads of veg: so tuna mayo has peppers, celery, spring onions, olives, grated carrot etc in on a bed of salad leaves; stir frys, curries, etc.

Being vegan was a no-no I just got iller and iller

BIWI · 16/10/2023 08:23

@Jeevesnotwooster that's a great site - lots of really useful advice there.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Weight management
SkyFullofStars1975 · 16/10/2023 09:12

@HaitchOar oh thanks, will look out for that.

Londonlondon4 · 16/10/2023 09:22

Only posted first sentence previously. Lower carb has been easy. Lots more veggies, sometimes having sandwich fillings as a salad. Not buying snacks that are easy to eat late at night.

Have upped the veggies and complex carbs for DC, though also let them eat plenty of normal kid foods, particularly when they have friends over.

Moonlightdust · 16/10/2023 09:33

I think with everything balance is key. About 9 years ago I did a carb free diet on/off. I personally found it quite difficult feeling full and after a prolonged time on actually became gluten intolerant when I introduced bread (only a very small amount) back into my diet. I was quite unwell and had awful stomach cramps so I am really wary now of going completely carb free again.

AnnaMagnani · 16/10/2023 09:37

The other thing I have found about being low carb is you automatically end up low UPF.

It automatically elimated beige food + chocolate + sweets.

MrsTerryPratchett · 16/10/2023 14:46

Bubbles254 · 16/10/2023 06:22

I recommend people read Dark Matter or Fibre Fueled for a good understanding of the importance of fibre for the gut microbiome and the gut microbiome for health.

Those that say they can't cope with certain foods such as beans/pulses likely don't have the right gut bacteria to break them down. The problem here is that the presence of these good bacteria are linked to reductions in many of the diseases people associate with aging so you really want to encourage them. I have gradually built up my tolerance for beans over the past few months and also started eating a lot more fermented food (which is a natural probiotic) as a result the weight has fallen off, I have loads of energy and a completely flat tummy for the first time in my life.

My head even feels less foggy. Gut bacteria are even important for the brain.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/whats-the-connection-between-the-gut-and-brain-health
'Substances made by bacteria in the gut can get into the blood, just like nutrients in our food travel from the gut into the blood. Also, certain nerves connect the brain and the gut: bacteria in the gut can send signals through those nerves to the brain. Finally, gut bacteria can stimulate immune system cells in the wall of the gut, and the immune cells then can send signals though the nerves to the brain.
Research in the past decade has found that gut bacteria may influence our emotions and cognitive capabilities. For example, some bacteria make oxytocin, a hormone our own bodies produce that encourages increased social behavior. Other bacteria make substances that cause symptoms of depression and anxiety. Still others make substances that help us to be calmer under stress. (Yes, I know: I want some more of those bacteria, too.)
Finally, the gut bacteria also have been shown to influence our vulnerability to certain brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and autism. For example, a substance called synuclein, found in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease, is made by gut bacteria and can travel via nerves from the gut to the brain'.

This is interesting. I was in South Korea recently and my cursory assessment that it's a great country with amazing people is clearly down to their obsession with kimchi and probiotics.

I do tolerate chick peas better now I take a probiotic but correlation and causation, right?

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