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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.

January '25 - Low Carb Bootcamp (Dry!) - week 1 (of 4ish)

216 replies

BIWI · 02/01/2025 06:19

Good morning all, and a very happy new year Smile

So today sees the start of the first low carb Bootcamp of 2025, and to get us off to the best start, this one is short and sharp. Only 4 weeks (ish, depending on when you actually start!), but also a dry one.

As with all Bootcamps, our first two weeks will be the strictest but with the option after this of moving on to Bootcamp Light for the remaining two weeks. The only difference being that we're aiming to be alcohol-free for the whole time.

Many thanks, as always, to the very lovely @FinallyHere, who is womanning the spreadsheet for us; you'll see that it allows for different start dates. Some of us are starting today, those in Scotland get an extra bank holiday so might be starting tomorrow - and several people are on holiday until 6 January. Exactly when you choose to weigh-in is entirely up to you!

Please have a good read of the spreadsheet!. Not only are the rules on there, there's also a huge amount of really useful information, along with a veg carb counter, helpfully traffic light colour-coded, to show you which are the best (and worst) options. You'll also find plenty of resources about low carbing, which will give you a good understanding of the science behind this WOE (way of eating).

As ever, any questions please post them here - or send me a PM if you prefer - as well as any meal suggestions and just general observations about how things are going for you.

Good luck to us all! Flowers

Dry January 2025 Bootcamp

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IKJ_Fu4S6Y8F7Nk7G_71-ZU8wKzVnaHNmZ8L3tbbWHI/edit?gid=1892381976#gid=1892381976

OP posts:
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PunksVersusBrats · 05/01/2025 12:12

Wise words @BIWI. I love that I can now Google almost any recipe from almost any cuisine in the world, but my childhood (70s and early 80s) diet was much 'easier' with less choice available and woe betide you sneaking into the kitchen between meals! Mind you, my fear of not using/eating leftovers comes from that time too 🙈

NoCarbsForMe · 05/01/2025 12:22

RockyRogue1001 · 05/01/2025 10:35

Morning all

Ive lost 2lb, which I'm VERY pleased about because it's only been 2 days.

KOKO everyone, and good luck to those weighing tomorrow

Am also 2lbs down on yesterday 🙌

NoCarbsForMe · 05/01/2025 12:24

Although was bobbing up and down between those 2lbs before Xmas... so would love to actually go down another 1/2 stone this bootcamp 🤞

Floralnomad · 05/01/2025 12:34

@ColouringPencils I felt a bit shit for about 2 weeks when I first started this WOE in mid September but persevere as it does work . I’ve had my boiled eggs for breakfast , it will be some sort of salad for lunch and salmon fillets with roasted peppers / courgettes / shallots for dinner . It was interesting reading what @BIWI was saying about the 50s/60s and indeed 70s in our house as my mum didn’t do pasta / rice she was strictly meat / 2 veg and if you wanted a snack it was a piece of fruit . I think there is an obsession with snacking now .

QforCucumber · 05/01/2025 12:37

@Baystard i have a great low carb cracker recipe which is 190g ground almond, 20g chia seed, salt, and 1 egg not allowed in the first 2 weeks - but it makes a lovely crisp cracker. Just blitz all together in a food processor and add a couple fo drops of water if needed to make a dough. Roll out thinly between 2 sheets of grease proof, remove the top sheet, cut into 8-10 crackers and bake at 160 for about 12 mins.

BIWI · 05/01/2025 12:37

Part of the reason why people have to snack so much is because their daily diet is so high in carbs. It's the constant crashing of blood sugar, driven by a high carb intake/rush of insulin to deal with it, that makes us hungry.

Whereas if you eat a lower carb diet, your blood sugar levels stay more constant, and thus between meals you aren't hungry.

I'm always amazed by the number of posters talking about 'having' to have snacks ready for their DC the moment they come out of school.

OP posts:
ColouringPencils · 05/01/2025 12:42

Just wondering how people are making their cauliflower cheese. I have got loads of options in the house thanks to Christmas: double cream, ricotta, cream cheese, Greek yoghurt, stilton, cheddar... veg-wise I could do just cauliflower or could add broccoli and shallots. Wish I had some leeks or courgettes - it's possible I will walk up to the shop later for them.

BIWI · 05/01/2025 12:44

For NYE, I made a range of tapas/pintxos dishes - a themed Spanish/Basque dinner party - and came across this recipe for a Basque salad dressing. I have no idea how genuine it is, but it was very delicious, and a good change from an olive oil vinaigrette:

Basque salad dressing

It is very strong/garlicky, so rather than dress the salad leaves (I used shredded Romaine lettuce), I served the dressing in a bowl so that people could help themselves.

Basque Salad Recipe - Food.com

When I lived in Elko, Nevada, I dined at the local Basque houses quite regularly. The meals are served "family style" and every meal begins

https://www.food.com/recipe/basque-salad-129807

OP posts:
prettybird · 05/01/2025 13:04

Came across this article in today's Observer. Those of us who've been following this WoE for a while won't be surprised by his experience Smile

I tried to find a link but couldn't Confused

January '25 - Low Carb Bootcamp (Dry!) - week 1 (of 4ish)
AIBConsiderate · 05/01/2025 13:15

Keeping an eye on the scales and things are looking promising, so the Xmas weight will be wiped out v quickly and I can crack on with the rest.

The late night snacking desire hasn't disappeared yet, but I'm making efforts to keep it at bay. Plus I did have to acknowledge that I wasn't actually hungry, I'm just used to doing it.

Pork belly burritos last night, which I turned into a salad bowl with pork belly and cheese for me. My mum has invited us over today to help get rid of the Christmas food - lots of cheese and meats so I should be able to navigate this no problems.

NewYearOldCold · 05/01/2025 13:16

ColouringPencils · 05/01/2025 12:42

Just wondering how people are making their cauliflower cheese. I have got loads of options in the house thanks to Christmas: double cream, ricotta, cream cheese, Greek yoghurt, stilton, cheddar... veg-wise I could do just cauliflower or could add broccoli and shallots. Wish I had some leeks or courgettes - it's possible I will walk up to the shop later for them.

To make mine I microwave the cauliflower (about 5 mins for a large cauli cut into florets). I then add a tub of Philly cream cheese, a block of cheddar and a pot of double cream.

I sometimes make ahead and reheat the next day. I prefer it when it's reheated.

Depending on who is eating it I vary the cheese (Stilton) or add mustard or horseradish.

I also love to use it the second day as a tuna 'pasta' bake type meal with layers of tuna and mashed up cauli cheese.

NewYearOldCold · 05/01/2025 13:20

Christmas weight is gone. I'm now half a pound lighter than before my first Christmas party. Having low carb days in between the carby days helped.

RockyRogue1001 · 05/01/2025 13:27

This is the recipe I use @ColouringPencils
It's from aprevious BC and VERY quick n easy.
I often add bacon too

One of my favourite veggie meals is cauliflower cheese - I make the cheese sauce without flour:
300ml double cream
At least half a block of mature cheddar, grated
Juice of half a lemon
Freshly ground black pepper
Bring the cream gently to the boil, add the cheese and stir till it melts, then season with the pepper and the lemon juice. Pour over your cauliflower florets (which you will have boiled in salted water for around 5-7 minutes till just tender), and then bake in the oven, with more grated cheese sprinkled on the top, until the extra cheese starts to brown.

poorbuthappy · 05/01/2025 13:37

RockyRogue1001 · 05/01/2025 13:27

This is the recipe I use @ColouringPencils
It's from aprevious BC and VERY quick n easy.
I often add bacon too

One of my favourite veggie meals is cauliflower cheese - I make the cheese sauce without flour:
300ml double cream
At least half a block of mature cheddar, grated
Juice of half a lemon
Freshly ground black pepper
Bring the cream gently to the boil, add the cheese and stir till it melts, then season with the pepper and the lemon juice. Pour over your cauliflower florets (which you will have boiled in salted water for around 5-7 minutes till just tender), and then bake in the oven, with more grated cheese sprinkled on the top, until the extra cheese starts to brown.

I can confirm this is a tremendous cauli cheese and the addition of bacon is fab!

BitOutOfPractice · 05/01/2025 14:18

BIWI · 05/01/2025 11:02

now that I have read the rules 😬 I am flying.

Grin

I’m the type that attempts to build a flat pack wardrobe without reading the instructions @BIWI but I make up in enthusiasm what I lack in planning! 😀

I’m also 3.8lbs lighter than I was when I blundered into this thread with my big size 9s

ColouringPencils · 05/01/2025 15:53

Thank you for the cauliflower cheese recipes, they sound delicious! My daughter is veggie so I need to leave the bacon, and I don't have a block of cheddar, so I think I will follow a combination of both but with a mix of cheeses.

RockyRogue1001 · 05/01/2025 16:02

What's the view on Tomato Juice?

I've got an untouched carton from Christmas and I like a tomato juice, esp with L+P and tabasco, but I won't open it if it's bad.

Thought it might make a nice change when I'm bored of water.

BIWI · 05/01/2025 17:12

@RockyRogue1001 - check the carbs on the label. Sainsbury's has one that's 2.7g per 100ml, so that's not too bad - just bear in mind that 100ml isn't very much!

OP posts:
Velocity · 05/01/2025 17:31

This has not felt like an easy low carb day. Family are finishing off the Christmas haul and we've been hosting so wine, crisps, chocolate, nuts everywhere! DH will join the low carb push tomorrow so that will help. I'm also back to work tomorrow so need to figure out low carb lunches. How is everyone else doing ?

RockyRogue1001 · 05/01/2025 17:54

Thanks@BIWI
It is a sainsbury's one, but ill keep that in mind.

We've just had this for dinner...

Aubergine, feta and chorizo bake
Serves 4

2 large aubergines (600g each)
1 pack feta cheese (200g)
50g chorizo (1/4 of a chorizo ring)
2 medium cloves of garlic
1 red chilli, deseeded (optional)
extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper

First you need to make a garlic and chilli-infused olive oil, so you'll need to do this in advance - the longer you leave it, the more the flavours will develop

pour a generous amount of olive oil into a small saucepan; around 5mm deep in the pan
finely chop the chilli and garlic and add to the oil
turn on the heat until the oil starts to sizzle, and then turn the heat off immediately; put a lid on the pan and leave to one side
Next, cook the chorizo

if you're using chorizo from a ring, first peel the papery skin off, and then cut it into small dice
if you're using pre-chopped chorizo, it needs to be chopped into smaller dice
in a dry pan, gently fry until it starts to release its oil, then turn the heat up a little till it starts to crisp
take it off the heat and transfer it into a bowl, and leave it to cool (the bowl needs to be large enough to add the feta later)
Prepare the aubergine

top and tail, and then cut each one in half, lengthways, and then cut criss-cross lines into the flesh
use a roasting tin that will hold the aubergines snugly, and cover the surface of the tin with olive oil, so that the aubergines won't stick
place the halves into the tin, skin side down/cut side up, and then drizzle the cut sides generously with olive oil
season with salt and pepper
bake in a medium hot oven for around 20 minutes
While the aubergine is in the oven, prepare the topping

pat the feta dry, then whizz it in the food processor (with the metal blade) till it's finely chopped - but not a slurry!
if you haven't got a processor, chop it by hand as finely as you can
add to the cooled chorizo and stir together well
season with black pepper (salt won't be needed as both the cheese and chorizo are pretty salty)
Assemble the dish for the final cooking

take the aubergine out of the oven - check that it's softened. If it still seems hard, cook for another 5-10 minutes (but don't let it brown)
spoon over the garlic and chilli oil, making sure that each aubergine gets a generous and even amount
top with the chorizo/feta mixture and smooth this topping over each aubergine half
bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese mixture is well browned, and the aubergine nice and soft
Based on these weights, this is a total of just 6.5g carbs per person

We thought it sounded a bit dry, though, so made a tomato sauce with added garlic, chilli and shallots
It was fantastic

RockyRogue1001 · 05/01/2025 17:57

Velocity · 05/01/2025 17:31

This has not felt like an easy low carb day. Family are finishing off the Christmas haul and we've been hosting so wine, crisps, chocolate, nuts everywhere! DH will join the low carb push tomorrow so that will help. I'm also back to work tomorrow so need to figure out low carb lunches. How is everyone else doing ?

Wrt lunches, we'll usually make a dish for 4 and I'll take a portion to work for lunch the next day.
And dh eats the other portion or we freeze it
Usually we have leaves or an actual salad too, so that accompanies my lunch

CleanQueen123 · 05/01/2025 17:58

Not been a great day food/fat wise as I'm struggling with a migraine and nausea this weekend, but I did manage a couple of boiled eggs, rocket, and mayo for lunch and then chicken stir fry for dinner.

I'm going to give it a while and then try some yoghurt and cream because I am still slightly hungry but that's the first time I have been all day.

On the plus side I've been keeping the fluids up trying to kick the migraine!

Pash01 · 05/01/2025 18:08

@Velocity -crikey, it sounds like you've been navigating a minefield!

I’ve had a cold and jet lag the last few days. I just woke up from a nap but have been up since 1am 🥱

Even though I feel like rubbish I’ve been finding it fairly easy to stick to low carb -apart from the cough medicine (4g carbs) and the melatonin gummies (4g) but that can’t be helped at the moment. I’ll have a bath before bed tonight and I have chicken soup ready for lunch tomorrow 🍲😋

Pash01 · 05/01/2025 18:15

@RockyRogue1001 - the Aubergine, feta and chorizo bake sounds delicious. Thanks for the recipe! I’ll add it to my meal plan.

RockyRogue1001 · 05/01/2025 18:27

I've been spending quite a lot of time on the lc recipe threads.
Lots of ideas

Especially if you do "don't like x ingredient, but we've got y in, so I'll swap y for x"

ETA link
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/low-carb-recipes

Swipe left for the next trending thread