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Low-carb bootcamp

Join discussions about low-carb bootcamp plans, meals and progress. Consider speaking to a medical professional before starting any diet.

October 2019 Low Carb Bootcamp - getting ready!

80 replies

BIWI · 07/10/2019 18:51

First things first - the rules! There are only 10 rules, but it's important that you follow them properly. And all of them ... Grin

Print them out so you have them to hand; this will really help you till you get into the swing of things:

1. Eat three proper meals a day
In the first two weeks of Bootcamp you must eat breakfast. It doesn’t have to be a lot, and it doesn’t have to be absolutely first thing, but you must have something. For the rest of the day, if you’re eating enough food then you shouldn’t be hungry between meals. But if you are hungry, eat something. (Hard boiled eggs make a great snack).

After the first two weeks of Bootcamp we will relax this, but these two weeks are critical in terms of helping you switch easily to a low carb way of eating - and if you start to feel hungry, it makes things much harder! Eating this way will ensure that your blood sugar levels are kept stable, which will mean that you are much less likely to experience hunger.

A typical high carbohydrate diet can mean that snacking is a routine part of your day. Once your blood sugar levels are stable, by eating low carb, you should find that you no longer want to snack. But the rule of thumb here is ‘if you are hungry, eat!’. (Just make sure you are only choosing low carb snacks, of course!)

2. Avoid processed foods
Focus on pure, natural protein as the basis for your meals - meat/fish/eggs. Things like sausages, ham, bacon, pre-prepared burgers etc should be avoided as much as possible. You can have them, but just not every day. Avoid foods marketed as low carb, eg. Atkins bars.

3. Eat lots of fat.
Eating fat will not make you fat. Honestly! But it will keep your appetite satisfied, and it sustains your body’s energy requirements perfectly. Fat does not provoke an insulin spike, unlike carbs which do (a lot) and protein (a little). Fry in olive or coconut oil or lard or butter, add butter to vegetables, eat salad with a home-made oily dressing (not made with balsamic vinegar though, as this is too sweet), add mayonnaise where you can (just check the carb count on your mayo first). Eat fattier cuts of meat – e.g. pork belly, roast chicken with the skin on and/or eat the fat off your lamb chops. Absolutely no low fat/light foods of any kind!

4. Make sure you are eating plenty of vegetables and salad
This is where your carbs should come from, and this is non-negotiable. But choose only those vegetables that are under 4g carbs per 100g - there will be a list of vegetable carb counts on the spreadsheet. If you focus on eating those vegetables that are 4g carb per 100g or less, this will ensure that your carb counts are kept low. You don’t have to weigh/count carbs – this is one of the great joys of this WOE (way of eating), but if you’re new to low carbing it can be helpful to weigh your portions of veg in the early days, just so that you know how many carbs are in the sort of portions that you like to eat. (There's also a handy carb counter on the spreadsheet that will calculate the carbs for you)

5. Be careful about dairy (apart from butter, which is unlimited)
Dairy can impede weight loss for some people. If you are drinking tea/coffee with milk or cream, try to restrict yourself to max 2 cups per day. There are a lot of carbs in milk, so if you are having several cups of tea/coffee per day, you will quickly rack up your daily carb count (e.g. 1 medium latte contains more than 12g carbs!) You may eat cheese but again, don't overdo it. Full fat yoghurt is the best way to include dairy in your diet - but beware, it does contain carbs. Total Full Fat is the best

6. You must drink a minimum of 2 litres of water per day
The more weight you have to lose, the more water you should drink. This is from www.low-carbdiet.co.uk/.

Water is essential to weight loss for those who eat low-carb. The minimum consumed in a day should be:

Your Weight----Litres
140lbs-----2.5
160lbs-----3.0
180lbs-----3.0
200lbs-----3.5
220lbs-----3.5
240lbs-----4.0
260lbs-----4.5
280lbs-----4.5
300lbs-----5.0
320lbs-----5.5
340lbs-----5.5
360lbs-----6.0
380lbs-----6.5
400lbs-----6.5

High levels of ketones in the blood stream can lead to a reduction in ketone production, therefore being well hydrated could aid in keeping the levels low and ketone production ongoing. Consuming enough water can have many other positive side effects: aids your kidneys with the processing of protein, reduces the retention of water, helps with preventing constipation, and reduces the levels of ketones released by your breath, which in-turn will reduce breath odour.

However, drinking a lot of water can mean that you also need to keep an eye on your electrolyte balance. You need to make sure that you are consuming sufficient sodium and potassium. On a low carb diet we can eat more salt, so make sure that you are cooking with salt and adding salt to food, if you like it. Good, low carb, sources of potassium are spinach (raw), avocado, mushrooms, courgettes and asparagus, as well as salmon and yoghurt.

7. No alcohol
Alcohol is the easiest source of fuel for the body to burn, so it will always use this first before it starts to burn any fat - which is why you need to restrict it, especially in the first two weeks of Bootcamp, when we are encouraging the body to stop using carbs for its source of fuel and turn to fat-burning instead. If you really can't do this - at least try and restrict it to the weekend. Vodka with soda is the best thing to drink. Or Champagne, red wine or dry white wine.

8. No fruit
Really. Seriously. Honestly. None at all. Zilch. Nada. After the first two weeks of Bootcamp you will be able to introduce certain fruits, but at this stage fruit is simply too carby. We are also trying to break the addiction to sweet things, so cutting fruit out is part of this process. If you are getting all your carbs from vegetables and salad, you will be getting all the nutrients and fibre that you need.

9. No nuts/seeds
They make a great snack, but it’s also very easy to eat large quantities of them very quickly, so you can consume way too many carbs this way. (It should also go without saying that we don't eat any crisps or other salty snacks on Bootcamp!)

10. No sugar or artificial sweeteners
Sugar is an obvious ‘no no’, but artificial sweeteners are also an issue. One of the aims of this way of eating is to eat pure and natural foods, so including sweeteners is not recommended. Some people find that artificial sweeteners can impede their weight loss, and there is some suggestion that your body can respond to sweeteners as if they were sugar, by releasing more insulin - and therefore laying down fat. Given that the aim of Bootcamp is to help us lose our sweet tooth and addiction to sweet things, then it is a good idea to avoid sweeteners altogether in this first two weeks.

OP posts:
rosesandsunflowers · 12/10/2019 13:29

So I'm trying to get organised. I've never done this before. In a previous thread I saw a comment about there being recipes somewhere. Anyone know where they are?

Nonononon · 12/10/2019 13:59

So just got back from shopping.
Bought loads of meat, veg and fish.
Also got eggs, full fat greek yogurt and some cheeses.
Was good yesterday, only had a banana for carbs and today I've had two plums.
Ive also just had some nuts as I was hungry when shopping and it seemed like a better idea than crisps!
So still just "easing in" to this ready to get Really stuck in on Monday 💪

Been looking up some keto soup recipes and have pan of chicken legs on the boil so plan on making a big pan of soup and making that my easy go to meal any time of the day.

I'm looking forward to broccoli and stilton soup, haven't had that in years!
Oh! And courgette soup too!

northernknickers · 12/10/2019 14:00

Hi @BIWI I'm going to join this time, but will start next weekend...I'm away this weekend so no time for shopping, and we we break up for half term next Friday, so I'll be able to deal with 'carb flu' better then. Very difficult to get through week one feeling lousy, when you have 32 seven/eight year olds to fill with knowledge...and a three day residential!! (I may not survive!)

BIWI · 12/10/2019 14:08

@rosesandsunflowers the recipes are all stickied at the top of the Bootcamp topic

OP posts:
Glenthebattleostrich · 12/10/2019 14:36

I've been shopping today and have lots of lovely meats in the fridge. This afternoon I'm making burgers and meatballs and tomorrow I'm making some roast lamb so I'll have lots of lovely easily grabable food.

Also have some cold water infusions and some lovely herbal tea to make sure I have water and I've ordered lots of lovely leafy veg from the green grocers.

Feeling as prepared as I can be.

My 'top tip' is to take weekly photos and measurements to keep motivated. Your weight loss doesn't always show on the scales.

Hagbeth · 12/10/2019 18:25

I would like to join as well. Is Monday the start day? Grin

venusandmars · 12/10/2019 19:36

@Rayna37 I agree re: the carb substitute. My dh still can't quite get that steak, broccoli (with feta, nuts and butter), green beans (roasted in olive oil, and a StAgur cream sauce is a complete meal in itself. "oh, you're not having potatoes" … and this is after 2 years of low carb!

My extra tip is to find something you used to love to wear but can't fit into. Try it on and take a photo. You might be amazed as you gradually re-fit into old clothes. Last boot camp some people were brave enough to post the photos as shorts went from barely able to pull them on, through gap getting smaller to botton and zip done up. It's really encouraging for others.

Also take a photo of yourself in a 'comfortable' pair of trousers. Watch with astonishment as your shape changes. Some weeks the scales seem stuck obstinately but somehow things in your body are consolidating, and you get smaller even though you've not lost weight.

rosesandsunflowers · 12/10/2019 19:45

Great tips ladies. I've never done this before so I'm a bit apprehensive. Luckily my DH is willing to give it a go too so at least I won't have to deal with cooking him carbs. Quick question - it's my birthday on Wednesday and DH has already booked for us to go somewhere nice for dinner. I think it may be hard to stick to no carbs/no alcohol that evening. Should I perhaps ease myself in and start properly on Thursday or just start on Monday, eat what I want on Wednesday night and add on a few days at the end of the two weeks?

Ndotto · 13/10/2019 00:38

Ooh @8Track can you share the cabbage bake recipe? My DD is vegetarian so although can eat lots of chicken salad etc at lunchtimes, but worried about keeping up protein intake and staying low carb when having to eat vegetarian dinner options - any veggie low carbers out there? (She is also intolerant of cheese Hmm )

Rayna37 · 13/10/2019 07:52

Big shop done yesterday and pleased to find shallots back in at Aldi; my local one hadn't had them for a few months. Newbies: shallots are much lower in carbs than onions, unfathomable as that is. Stock up if you habitually use them in lots of dishes! The long echalion ones are easier to use than the little round ones.

BIWI · 13/10/2019 08:31

@rosesandsunflowers

Don't leave it to start till Thursday. What I would do is eat/drink what you want at the restaurant - within reason! You should find that the menu is easily navigated - it's a lot easier to eat out when low carbing than trying to keep your calories low, for example. If you can find the menu online that will also be helpful so you can plan what you're going to eat - and post it here and we'll help you to choose.

Don't be afraid to ask for substitutions. I've never yet been refused by a restaurant when I've asked for salad instead of chips, for example.

Keep the alcohol to a minimum - and keep it to dry wine/Champagne, rather than beer/cider. If you have a pre-dinner drink, keep it something that's as low carb as possible - so no sweet cocktails! - something like a gin and slimline tonic, or a vodka and soda with a slice of lime.

If at all possible, don't have a dessert. If you're a cheese eater this is a much better option, but swerve the crackers and grapes.

But above all, enjoy it! It is your birthday - and we do have to live. Be extra vigilant when you're back and make sure that for the rest of the week you are super strict about following the rules.

OP posts:
Nonononon · 13/10/2019 08:45

As I'm new this I'm trying out low carb in the run up to Monday (tomorrow!)
This is what I'm having for breakfast.
I'm frying:
2 large mushrooms
6 cherry tomatoes
Half a red pepper
Quarter of a medium onion
Quarter of a courgette
In some butter and olive oil.
I'm then gonna crack two eggs on top and bake that in the oven with some cheese on top.

Is that ok? Or too many carbs in the veg?🤔

BIWI · 13/10/2019 08:59

That sounds lovely! Switch the onions for shallots and you'll get your carbs lower.

OP posts:
BIWI · 13/10/2019 09:02

This is also probably the best time to post the list of carb counts for veg - this is on the spreadsheet, but useful to see it here. Apologies for the lack of formatting - it's a MN 'thing' I'm afraid! Anyway, the list is divided up into green/amber/red, giving you a guide to things to look out for/be careful with/avoid:

GREEN (eatme)
Mushrooms0.4
Watercress0.4
Spinach0.8
Celery0.9
Broccoli1.1
Asparagus1.4
Kale1.4
Cavalo Nero1.4
Samphire1.5
Cucumber1.5
Spinach1.6
Lettuce 1.7
Fennel1.8
Courgettes1.8
Lettuce1.9
Avocado flesh1.9
Cauliflower1.9
Radish1.9
Turnip (white inside) 2
Pumpkin2.2
Celeriac2.3
Runner beans2.3
Swede (orange inside)2.3
Bean sprouts2.5
Green pepper2.6
Spring Greens2.6
Baby sweetcorn2.7
Aubergine2.8
Leeks2.9
Okra3

AMBER (caution)
Green beans3.1
Cabbage3.1
Tomato3.1
Mangetout3.3
Shallots3.3
Brussels sprouts3.5
Kalettes3.9

RED (Too high for bootcamp)
French beans4.7
Peas (sugar snap)4.8
Yellow pepper5.3
Carrots6
Orange/red pepper6.4
Ginger (peeled)7.2
Butternut squash7.5
Onions7.9
Peas (garden)9
Parsnips12.5
Baby Potato16.1
Potato19.6
Sweetcorn (on the cob)19.6
Beetroot20
Sweetcorn (tinned)20.1
Sweet Potato21.3

OP posts:
Nonononon · 13/10/2019 09:26

Oops so i had onions and red pepper which are a no no! Thats a shame because it was bloody delicious!!
Oh well it's not bootcamp yet!
Thanks for that list @BIWI

Can i ask, I started a thread yesterday asking about keto bread but (I don't think..) I got any answers, is that ok for bootcamp?

Rayna37 · 13/10/2019 10:01

Nonon depends on what keto bread it is really and the carb count but I doubt it would be suitable for full bootcamp (normally made with almond flour I'd guess?). Maybe something to eat occasionally during BC light (after the first two weeks). There are several recipes in the threads and most people will have tried it and either have a preferred recipe/brand or concluded better to avoid. Best to avoid heavily processed food generally (this is a bootcamp rule) and not look for substitutes IMO...but then I suppose that's easy for me to say as I just eat normal bread very occasionally when not actively "bootcamping" and tolerate it fairly well, not so easy if you've got a lot of weight to lose and plan to BC for the long haul.

8Track · 13/10/2019 10:16

@Ndotto It was an adaptation of one I've pinched from an earlier bootcamp - I'll attach the screen shot. I'm sure it could be made without the cheese.

I made it with 250ml extra thick double cream and shallots as well as the cabbage, and stirred it all together. Popped a few caraway seeds in as well and used about two thirds of a large savoy. Oh, and I didn't use the ham either so it would still be lovely for your daughter without.

October 2019 Low Carb Bootcamp - getting ready!
Nonononon · 13/10/2019 10:25

I was meaning something like this and not the shop bought stuff. Defo not during the first two weeks though.. it's says psyllium husk has zero net carbs but we work with over all carbs here, don't we? 🤔

healthstartsinthekitchen.com/the-best-easy-keto-bread-made-with-psyllium-husk/

ShagMeRiggins · 13/10/2019 14:56

8track this is what Oyster Envy looks like:

EnvyEnvyEnvy

Bon appetit

BIWI · 13/10/2019 15:50

@Nonononon you can have onion and red peppers, just occasionally and not in massive quantities!

OP posts:
prettybird · 13/10/2019 15:54

It's worth making a big batch of coleslaw (recipe iirc is somewhere in the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness): it's filling because of the crunch and with a good low-carb mayonnaise (like the one from Lidl) will provide a good portion of fat. Smile

Nonononon · 13/10/2019 16:04

Ah that's good then! 😁

And @prettybird I was just thinking about coleslaw last night! So glad that's ok 😏

BIWI · 13/10/2019 16:54

... and it's even lower in carbs if you make your own mayonnaise - which is really easy if you have a blender!

OP posts:
BIWI · 13/10/2019 16:56

Mayonnaise:

INGREDIENTS

1 large egg
4 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, or to taste
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white or black pepper (whichever you prefer)
1 cup olive oil or a neutral vegetable oil or a combination of the two

PREPARATION

In a blender or food processor, blend together the egg, lemon juice, mustard, fine sea salt, and freshly ground white or black pepper, blending until well combined.

With the motor still running, add the oil in a very slow, thin, steady stream and blend until the dressing is thick and smooth.

The mayonnaise can be prepared ahead and refrigerated, in an airtight container, up to 1 week.

Recipe from Epicurious.com

OP posts:
BIWI · 13/10/2019 16:58

Those ingredients make a cup's worth of mayo, by the way

OP posts: