Jan 22 Low Carb Bootcamp - the final weigh-in!

[BIWI]

Morning all.

Here, for its last outing this Bootcamp is the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

I know the last couple of weeks have been a bit quiet, and apologies for Covid-related absence from me as well, but it looks like this has been a pretty successful Bootcamp, which is great.

I don't know when the next Bootcamp will be, but probably won't be till around May at some point. However, we'll keep this thread going in the interim.

Don't forget to have a good rummage around the other threads in the Bootcamp topic in the interim, especially the recipe threads, as there's lots of useful stuff there.

And thank you to everyone who has posted, helped to support other posters and even those who have just lurked at the back! I genuinely wouldn't have even half the motivation to do this without you. This is a rather lovely little corner of Mumsnet.

Oh, and I can't believe I didn't say thank you to @BIWI for organising this even with Covid.

Thank you @BIWI for running this and whilst feeling Ill too
And I've loved reading through threads and seeing how you're all doing / done
I look forward to the next one but am def going to try my hardest to keep on keeping on this way :)

Good morning.

Thank you @BIWI for pointing me towards this thread.

I’m starting low carb today and have no idea where to start.
I was recommended LC by my GP as I am pre diabetic.

Hi all,

I am still going at this 100% and find the thread really helpful, it's a shame it's so quiet now.

Thanks for the salmon recipe @BIWI, I'll definitely try that, it sounds lovely!

My weight is dancing around a bit, but it did that last week too and I ended up with a good loss overall. I seem to tend to lose a lot (1kg+ in a day) all of a sudden then my body is a bit shocked so sneaks some of it back on again (despite being super good, IF-ing and drinking all the water) then loses it all again (and a bit more) over the forthcoming days.

I am still just under 18st, but finding I can go up the stairs more easily, coats are fitting better and mu face and neck are slimmer.

I am having odd cravings and find it helps if I write down in detail what I am craving, it helps me put it 'in a box' and forget about it. The other day it was homemade tortilla chips and homemade chunky guacamole (my cravings are always really specific).

I have booked afternoon tea for my Mum and I next Sunday. I want to treat my Mum as she's had a horrible few months. It's a planned deviation from LCHF!

Today I will be eating:-

• 2 cheese & almond muffins (warmed) with peanut butter.
• Leftover keto cottage pie and buttery green veg

Have a good day everyone!

You're very welcome @Bookaholic73!

And great that your GP has recommended low carbing for you.

Hopefully you've read the FAQ thread that I linked to, as that will give you a good feel for what LC is/isn't.

If you have a read of our Spreadsheet you'll find Bootcamp rules (on one of the tabs), should you wish to have a go at those.

There's also loads of information on there about low carbing - links to other websites and articles/blogs as well as good books to read.

The site I really recommend, as it's very straightforward and easy to read, is The Diet Doctor

But any questions or concerns you have, just ask them here - we're all here to help

There are lots of different ways to Low Carb, which can make it confusing! You don't have to follow Bootcamp - but it was started originally to make things very easy, by not having to count or weigh anything.

I think I'll keep posting on here @queenofcauliflower... I was going to give it a break for a bit but tbh, I think this is it for me now. Even if there's noone here I may keep on squeaking into the void just for accountability.
The last few weeks have been scrappy (entirely my fault) and full of too much wine so less loss recently, but still some, incredibly 😊 A stone in Bootcamp plus the two lbs in the week before means 16. I'll take that!!
Soooo to help with structure going forward I dug out a copy of 'The 8 Week Blood Sugar Diet' (yes, an old one from Mosley Enterprises) and for once, might follow the recipe plan at the end of the book..although I have a veggie DD at home so there'll have to be a bit of swapping out.
Good luck all, and of course, thx again to @BIWI.

I know Michael Mosley is a bit Marmite, but in all of his books - the Blood Sugar Diet, the Fast800 and Fast800n Keto there are some good recipes - if you go to the dedicated recipe books (written by his wife, Dr Claire Bailey) they also (in most cases) include the carb count as well as the calories, so you can choose dishes that are LC friendly. Because their overall aim is to recommend a Mediterranean diet, they're usually not low fat either - and you can always add more fat to make them LCHF

Agreed on Mosley marmityness @BIWI..less said the better.
Also, a few too many carbs for me generally in the Blood Sugar Diet I'm wary I'm interested to use it as a framework for a light reintroduction of some very limited carbs. Mind you, I think that's why they're sometimes so daft about fats as they know, you just can't do both and not compromise on fat-burning....

FS, 'wary BUT interested'...

Yes, you have to pick your way through them @Wilkolampshade. And also, of course, if you're following Bootcamp, there are many recipes that would be ruled out, as they include pulses/legumes, or pasta, or fruit.

But there are plenty that don't - and, of course, those that aren't Bootcamp-friendly could still be chosen if you're maintaining.

... but what I do like about their recipes is that they're generally very straightforward, don't require any fancy/esoteric ingredients (Yottam I'm looking at you ) and easy to cook. As well as being pretty tasty.

ShangPie you’ve done so well, and I wish you every success with your maintenance, but…

…when adapting to maintenance mode, please consider the difference between eyeing the fruit bowl (carbs but good nutritional value) vs occasional crisps (dubious nutritional value).

If you really mean occasional, okay. For some it’s too easy for that to be a pack of crisps each day, then lead to dreaded carb counting (if I have these it’s “only” 13 grams so I’ll just have spinach omelette for dinner and it will be fine) and you’re left with eggs, butter, and spinach for your vitamins and minerals for the day.

This isn’t to single you out (though I did, sorry!). It’s for everyone wanting to maintain.

The best thing about LCHF is the huge emphasis on real food, unprocessed as much as possible, and feeding our bodies for health. The weight loss is a brilliant benefit.

[grin]Ps—I know I’m not your mum, sorry again!

As for me, I’ve lost 11 pounds this Bootcamp. I do so much better when the sun is in sight, and have always struggled with winter vegetables.

This is pleasing, feel like I’m on a roll, continuing with BC lite until next Bootcamp, and less than a stone away from my wedding weight (not normal bmi but I looked pretty damn good) and only 26lbs from normal/healthy bmi.

Will take it as it comes, but carpe bloody diem, Shag!

Huge to those who make this possible for us all. I know of no other free platform that does this and helps so many.

BIWI, write that book.

I'm not sure that fruit are particularly great from a nutritional point of view. One apple gives you only 2% of your required daily intake of vitamin A, iron and calcium. Banana has B vitamins but also a lot of carbs. Oranges have vitamin C and a little potassium and folate. Yes, definitely healthier than crisps but generally only the very high carb fruits such as pineapple have any significant micronutrient density and even that is eclipsed by meat and by low carb vegetables.

I was up a little on Monday but I have been back down to just over 12st for the last two days which is 1st down since 1 Jan! Very happy with that and most definitely carrying on!

Well done everyone and I hope there will continue to be some chat here for those of us continuing.

@StuntNun

I'm not sure that fruit are particularly great from a nutritional point of view. One apple gives you only 2% of your required daily intake of vitamin A, iron and calcium. Banana has B vitamins but also a lot of carbs. Oranges have vitamin C and a little potassium and folate. Yes, definitely healthier than crisps but generally only the very high carb fruits such as pineapple have any significant micronutrient density and even that is eclipsed by meat and by low carb vegetables.

I was trying to be nice.

With no scientific eye at all, and no data whatsoever, I look at countries where fruit seems to grow in abundance and see—generally—overweight populations. That is a massive generalisation and I apologise if that offended anyone. Clearly I’m not taking into account other factors, just thinking that many cultures/countries still ‘live off the land’ because not everyone has the options we have in the UK.

I once went on an Apple diet in my teens (I merde you not). It was disordered and dire. Swiftly moved away from that sort of extremism, not swiftly enough.

Thanks, StuntNun (still one of my favourite user names) for that post.

Basically it seems to be vegetables for carbs and eggs/meat/fish/pulses for protein? Is that reasonable?

Also—inquisitive and somewhat random question—are nutritional requirements the same worldwide, or do they change based on geographical (historical, evolutionary) body types of population? You might not have an answer, and this might be a separate thread question, sorry to put you in the hot seat.

WATER WATER WATER

Don't forget the butter, lard, dripping, goose fat and olive oil @ShagMeRiggins

There does seem to be some evidence that vegan diets are easier to follow if you live in a warm climate with plenty of sun. And of course there are other factors like needing more vitamin D if you live in a northerly region or needing more magnesium if you live in an area that has been farmed for a long time. In general I don't believe there is a one-size-fits-all human diet, we can thrive on all kinds of different diet. If I had to pick one must have then it would be fish as the presence of omega-3 fats in the diet makes such a difference to human health. And if I could pick one thing we should probably get rid of entirely then it would be a tough choice between sugar, grains and vegetable oils, with dairy coming in close behind those three.

Putting you on the spot, StuntNun, which one should be given up entirely?

It occurs to me they’re all processed. (Not an entirely bad thing to take from the land and make it more edible, by the way—innovation is good for survival).

Thanks so much for your reply and knowledge.

Ps—innovation and adaptation…

I note with interest that celeriac is being used a lot in Great British Menu ....we're ahead of the curve

Yesterday someone made a celeriac terrine that looked lovely - and someone else made a celeriac purée, having boiled the celeriac in milk Next time I make celeriac purée (which I use as a base for seared scallops), I'm going to try that.

Regarding fruit, I barely eat any except the occasional small apple every few weeks, usually with cheese and peanut butter. I like to think adding fat and protein to it slows how quickly the sugar gets to my blood.

I have to give diet advice as part of my job and I always bring up fruit as so many people think it's healthy, so they can have as much as they like. Think people with diabetes having half a punnet of grapes as a snack, or bananas with breakfast etc. I always advise no more than one or two portions a day (ideally less and more veg) and to mostly choose fruit they could grow in their garden (theoretical garden). So thinks like apples, pears and berries over exotic fruits like banana pineapple and mango. In general, this cuts out the very sweet fruits and leaves the lower sugar, higher fibre ones. Which you tend to eat less of because they aren't as exciting!

Making a roast chicken dinner today as it's my day off and I've not been eating well this week (not carby, not just much!) as kids all have covid and I was sure I had it, but apparently not (yet). Yesterday I didn't eat at all until dinner, which was pork belly and shoogled sprouts.

Making leeks in cheese sauce, steamed cabbage and mashed swede to go with my chicken. Carrots, potatoes and stuffing for everyone else (I do actually eat carrots still, just not a lot, but we only have a few left).

@prettybird

I note with interest that celeriac is being used a lot in Great British Menu ....we're ahead of the curve

Yesterday someone made a celeriac terrine that looked lovely - and someone else made a celeriac purée, having boiled the celeriac in milk Next time I make celeriac purée (which I use as a base for seared scallops), I'm going to try that.

Yes, it's been a vegetable 'du jour' for some time on Masterchef too!

Cauliflower puree made with milk is fabulous, from this recipe and Monya wotshername (Keto Kitchen author) makes her cauliflower puree by adding soft cheese and butter (after boiling in just water)

Monya's cottage pie topping has an ace pureed cauliflower topping too - boiled cauliflower, butter, s&p & egg yolks, all blended together.

I wouldn't give any of them up entirely @ShagMeRiggins for example I don't cook with vegetable oils at home but I'm not bothered if I'm eating out. Equally I will have a non-low carb dessert every now and then but it's less than once a month.