Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp - the questions thread

[BIWI]

From previous experience, the first few weeks of Bootcamp chat threads move very quickly, so having a thread dedicated to questions means that you stand more chance of getting an answer quickly!

So if you have any specific questions, post them here.

Milk in hot drinks - is lactofree OK?

What about caffeine in general? Are caffeinated tea and coffee OK?

I can manage just about manage to use unsweetened soya milk, but not so sure that it is healthy to eat/drink soya products; I've read some negative views on soy.

Is there anyone that has got t2 diabetes and uses insulin that can answer a few questions?

Also are herbal and fruit teas ok?

Thank you

Thanks crabby you are a star!

Bloody hell! That looks amazing! I'd rather be Mrs Guy Martin than a crumbled rhubarb too.

I can vouch for Crabby's crumble, it is amazing and a real life saver smothered in double cream if you just need something sweet and puddingy I have been known to just forget the main meal and have the crumble for my tea

TheNutmeg - small amount of milk in tea/coffee is allowed but watch how much/how many cups you have as it can add up. Double cream in coffee is better and tastes nicer too imo.

Golden - I drink fruit tea fairly regularly and it hasn't cause me any issues. The carb counts are near enough 0% and I find they can be useful in satisfying sweet cravings, especially at the beginning of bootcamp

Thank you Birdinacage - only had two cups of tea today and I drink black coffee - normally have 4+ cups of tea a day, but cutting down and switching to green tea/herbal.

Has anybody frozen the crumble?

I made too much creamy blue cheese and mushroom sauce, and different idea what I could use it for?

Thanks Crabby . I've learned a huge amount on this thread.

And thanks Kakusi for that recipe. I'm wait till Bootcamp Light to give it a go.

Tomorrow is another day …

User - I'd echo Crabby's post. If you can, avoid the Fybogel, as it's full of artificial stuff we're trying to avoid. However, if it's prescribed for you, I understand that you may be reluctant to give it up - but you may find that with all the fat you should be eating and water you should be drinking that constipation will no longer be an issue

aNote - the veg list is to give you an idea of carb counts; you can eat any of that veg, but you should really - especially in the first two weeks - try and focus on the ones that are 3g carbs per 100g as much as you possibly can

dementedma - low carbing would be a perfect way for your DH to control his diabetes (assuming he's Type 2?); we have a few diabetics/pre-diabetics on Bootcamp and hopefully they will be along soon to give you some help and tips!

gillyginger - they should be fine, but check the carb counts on the back of the pack; and remember, you're supposed to be getting your carbs mainly from veg and salad

Chester - it's difficult to say without knowing how big it was - but swede is a relatively low carb veg so it was probably fine; but it would have been better to have more meat if you could have done.

TheNutmeg - don't know what the carb count is on lactofree milk - just check the back of the packet. Personally I'm with you in terms of concern over soy. Caffeine is a bit of an odd one. Atkins said, in the first edition of his book, to cut it out, but in the next edition said it was fine. I've never given up drinking coffee!

Golden - herbal and fruit teas are usually fine - just check the back of the pack to be totally sure

And a massive thanks to you, Crabby for answering so many questions today!

Glad to help. Kept me procrastinating occupied while I was supposed to be researching flooring options.

Thanks Bird I'm very glad you like it.

Freeze the crumble Kukesi? ^Freeze it*?? It doesn't last long enough to freeze it! Seriously though, I don't know how it would freeze. Better texture fresh I think, although if you heated it in the oven after thawing it'd probably be ok.

Thanks BIWI. I only had about a third in the end. Forgot to say it was made with a 500g pack of 20% fat mince too so lots of protein and fat too. Was bloody lovely anyway!

BIWI Avoid it for 2 weeks or full 10?

Is there a minimum amount of fat I should be eating?
My diet is basically largely protein and some dairy.

Username - if you can avoid it entirely that would be good, but if that's a problem, then just try for the first two weeks.

You should be eating your food in the following proportions:

fat protein carbohydrates

If you're eating largely protein, then this can also lead to weight gain - protein does encourage the body to release insulin, like carbs (although nowhere near the same amount).

So sounds like you need to up the fat. Try looking for fattier cuts of meat, as this will help you, as well as making sure you're adding butter/mayo/oily dressings to your food.

Morning all and thanks BIWI for answering all those questions. I'm learning a huge amount.

Started right with two boiled eggs for brekkie. Determined that today is going to be a good Bootcamp one.

Best of luck to everyone

Can anyone help me choose a low carb option from this menu?

There's hardly anything and I am panicking!

I should add it's only for lunch, so nothing too substantial needed.

Really don't want to make any obvious 'diet' swaps as it's with family and I DO NOT want them to know I am low carbing, they would not be receptive to this.

Hang on and I'll have a proper look.

The steak or the burger with salad instead of chips would be the best bet. Or if you don't want to swap for salad you can make some comment about feeling very carnivorous today, scoff down the meat and then say you're too full for the chips. people rarely assume you're on a diet when you're stuffing your face with bacon and cheese with meat fat dribbling down your chin, I find.

Otherwise...
Pan fried salmon and don't eat the potatoes/swap for salad.
Belly pork/ lamb shank and don't eat the potatoes (or much of the gravy/sauce as they tend to contain hidden carbs). Watch out for carbier veg like carrots, peas, beans.
Brocolli and stilton soup and don't eat the bread would also be an option, but it may well be thickened with flour.

User where are all the vegetables?? On the chat thread you didn't include any veg in your food list... Just meat and dairy is not healthy - this is low carb not no carb and your carbs should be coming from a wide variety of veg and salad. If you're not eating a lot of veg and not drinking a lot of water, that's probably why you need the fybogel. Did your GP prescribe it for a chronic problem, or are you self medicating with it? Have you tried linseed/flaxseed? It's very important to drink extra water when taking a bulk laxative, as they work by absorbing water to become a soft gelatinous mass which bulks and softens the stool.

Day two and I found I wasn't hungry at all yesterday........I'm used to the first day of a diet being awful and involves me obsessing about how hungry I am. Had to make myself have three meals yesterday as I just wasn't that hungry. Hurray!

Sorry.......this is the questions thread isn't it (head desk)

Crabby Forgot to thank you for y'days posts. Thank you.

The problem is I'm a picky eater. There are only a handful of veg from the allowed under 3g list I actually like.

Do I need to eat veg everyday?

The fybogel is not prescribed. Someone mentioned it when I made a thread on the LC thread.

I've tried flaxseed made it made me dry heave.

Not sure how to incorporate more fat. When I fry meat or eggs I use butter. I've never had mayo even before low carbing.

Yes, user, you have to have veg every day!!!

No wonder you're constipated. Which veg do you like?

User if necessary you can get psyllium husk either as powder or in capsules. That is just Fybogel without the fancy additives. I'm guessing the plain husk is a bit yukky to take in water (hence Fybogel tarting it up with sweeteners!) but maybe it would mix into some Greek yoghurt. I think most people go for the capsules.

If you get plenty of water and fat down along with some veggies you may find that you don't need anything. I used to have awful probs due to taking large doses of codeine based pain killers but this WOE sorted all that.

user - what are you eating? What do you plan to eat?