Bootcamp - the questions thread

[BIWI]

From experience of past Bootcamps, in the first few weeks the chat threads move really, really quickly and it's difficult sometimes to see/answer everything.

So this is a place to post any questions that you might have. Those of us who are old hands at low carbing will check this thread regularly and make sure that we answer you as soon as we can.

spamm - I only judge by no % of carbs for anything I buy for my own use
if there's more than 4%-5% in any product I would need very good reason to buy it

coconut cream I used was of light texture and you could cut it with a knife or a spoon, nothing watery

I'm using Blue Dragon coconut cream from Sainsburys. Its listed as 1.8gr carb per 100ml and theres 250ml in a carton. Its runny when its warm but if its been in the fridge its sort of like soft butter. Its lovely stirred into Greek yoghurt with some vanilla and cinnamon. Sometimes I add it to cream in the same way and just pour that on the yoghurt instead. I make my own yoghurt so its very thick.

I also mix half double cream and half coconut cream - very sweet and filling too!

I wonder how soon this will become an option of a snack in supermarkets

also - good definitions here:

• Coconut milk: Coconut milk has the liquid consistency of cow's milk and is made from simmering one part shredded coconut in one part water. Coconut milk is the basis of most Thai curries.

• Coconut cream: Coconut cream is much thicker and richer. It is made from simmering four parts shredded coconut in one part water. The cream that rises to the top of a can of coconut milk is also considered coconut cream.

• Cream of coconut: Cream of coconut is a sweetened version of coconut cream, and is often used for desserts and mixed drinks. Because of the added sugar, it is usually not interchangeable with coconut cream.

Thanks. I was going to look them up as I wasn't sure about coconut cream and cream of coconut. I knew one was acceptable and I'd checked my carton for any signs of carbs or sugar but its nice to get the proper picture. I don't like coconut in savoury things except for the odd blob of the oil for certain fried things but I find the coconut cream and double cream will keep me on the straight and narrow when everyone else is having dessert!

Hello everyone, I have a couple of questions;

I drink around 10 cups of tea (now with coconut milk) a day (I don't take sugar). Is there anyway this could be included in my water intake as I find it difficult to drink that as I am a real tea belly?

I just make some sukrin bread and it is delicious and only 1g per slice or 3.6g per 100g. Have I done the wrong thing? I have since read on here that I should be avoiding nuts and seeds and it is full of them? Anyone know?

If you're doing Bootcamp then you have to drink the water and avoid seeds

Thank you Miffy and Anti - i will continue my search for coconut cream. We have some amazing Asian supermarkets nearby, so I will try there and see what I can find.

Thanks Bifi, looks like I will gave to start again next week :( I thought anything low carb was ok.

Well, it helps, I find, if you read the rules first!

I've clicked on everything I can find and have not found 'the rules'. Maybe I should give up?

Rules are in this spreadsheet.

Thank you antimatter

I am interested to know the science behind why no nuts/seeds as long as they are low in carbs surely they wouldn't affect the diet? There are explanations to why no sweeteners etc, but nothing on the nuts/seeds. Anyone know?

Also, this may sound weird but can I drink the water allowance hot with a drop of coconut milk in it? I have sensitive teeth so rarely drink anything cold (unless it's wine).

No nuts and seeds in the first two weeks for three reasons:

• we're trying to get out of the habit of snacking; too often people eat out of habit and not because they are hungry. And once you get into low carbing, you will find that you're not hungry any way

• you need to eat three proper meals a day, to stabilise your blood sugar. If you're constantly snacking you're encouraging spikes in your blood sugar which will result in an insulin release, which leads to laying down of fat

• although relatively low in carbs, you can eat a lot of nuts and seeds, so the amount of carbs you're consuming can end up being quite high. They are allowed in moderation in Bootcamp Light, which is the stage you move on to after two weeks of strict Bootcamp.

Hope that helps!

BuzzardBird you can have your water hot. I often have mine with a splash of lemon juice. Watch the coconut milk as sometimes the carbs can add up over a day even if its only tiny bits.

Any low carb plan that encourages ketosis will ban nuts and seeds in the first two weeks at least. They are notorious for causing stalling. After a while you can add back a few a day and monitor your weight to make sure you aren't over eating. As Biwi says, the idea of Bootcamp is to hit cravings, establish habits and get you over to burning fat instead of glucose.

Regarding sweeteners, Theres two reasons to avoid them (without going into the rights and wrongs of whether they are good for us). Firstly, substituting sweeteners for sugar does nothing to get you out of the habit of wanting sweet things. Secondly, scientists are finding out that theres a definite link between our sense of taste and our digestive system. To lose fat you need to try and stop your body releasing huge amounts of insulin as insulin tells your body to store fat. If your blood sugar goes up from eating starches or sugars it pumps out extra insulin and slows weight loss. They are finding now that anything that tastes sweet can trigger the same response. It doesn't need to be real sugar, it only needs to taste like it! This 'cephalic response' is more marked in some people than others so some get away with sweeteners but most people do better if they can kick the habit. Cut back slowly if it helps.

Hope you find your coconut cream Spamm its lovely. Wish we had some Asian stores nearer to us. We have to travel right across the city and given that its one of those areas where they play tiggy with hatchets we tend to avoid it!

I am buying my coconut cream at a local medium size Sainsbury's

Oh ok, I don't ever snack anyway, I was just wondering if the flax seed bread was banned as its only 1 carb per slice and would be breakfast. I understood the sweetener thing anyway but thank you for help. I have done well with low carbing before but I was interested in latest theories. Strangely enough I don't have a big appetite but hidden carbs are my enemy I believe...and weekend wine.
What is the opinion on vitamins as I take glucosamine for joint problems and multi bit with iron?

you say you don't snack, but even a glass of wine is a snack (with a lot of calories)

try to eat to the rules for 2 weeks and soon you'll see the difference how you feel and look.

That's true anti, hadn't looked at it that way. I've done the 2 week thing before on Atkins. Will have to start afresh Monday as this bread costs mega bucks :)

join us on our weekly thread - there's a lot of encouragement and wisdom there
I am going to carry on on bootcamp after 10 weeks are over (so will some others I am sure)

You are doing bootcamp for 10 weeks? Don't you go onto 'light' after 2 weeks? How will I find weekly thread?

Thanks for your help, I know I ask a lot of questions. I like to know the facts.

Oh ok, I get it now. I have read the other threads, I see the whole bootcamp thing is 10 weeks in total.

this is current week
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/low_carb_bootcamp/2108044-Week-7-Low-Carb-Bootcamp-Where-the-End-is-Almost-in-Sight

you can switch to bootcamp light after 2 weeks - but you don't have to

all depends how much do you have to lose and how your body reacts to this new regime

it sometimes takes up to 2-3 weeks to start dropping weight (your shape/measurements may change though)