January ’26 Low Carb Bootcamp - getting us started!

[BIWI]

Welcome to the first Low Carb Bootcamp of 2026 - and Happy New Year to us all

Each week, every Monday, I’ll start a new chat thread, with a link to the spreadsheet. But I wanted to start this one a little bit earlier, so that I could post some prep stuff - either as a reminder, if you’ve Bootcamped before, or as key information if you haven’t.

If you haven’t Bootcamped before, and things aren’t very clear, then the FAQ thread should be helpful:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/low_carb_bootcamp/4049535-Low-Carb-Bootcamp-FAQs?reply=118903269

But please ask any questions on the threads - or PM me if you’d prefer.

The very lovely @FinallyHere is working on the spreadsheet in preparation for Monday. You don’t have to be on it, so either message me/her to ask to be removed, or simply ignore your row!

To make sure everyone who has signed up has seen this thread, I’m going to tag you all - in batches of 10 because sometimes it doesn’t work if you try to do everyone at the same time.

@LibraryDweller
@CrystalTits
@Barkleyspaubles
@CherryogDog
@CrawlingFromShitshowToAfterglow
@StartingOverInMy40s
@TheOnlyMrsW
@Rayna37
@Mumofteensandcats

@Thesoundofmusic23
@RainySaturday
@Almahart
@MirandaWallis
@mummytrex
@Gottagetfitin26
@PunksVersusBrats
@KellyWithABigBelly
@TeamToeBeans
@Blueberry111

@FinallyHere
@RightTurnClyde
@SemmaLina
@HazelNotHungryLC
@LCagain
@Prettybird
@alwayslearning25
@Goodiewhemper
@Kiwiane
@Balloonslayer

@AmayaBuzzbee
@venusandmars
@illiad
@Potas
@NOWLICANIDOIT
@poorbuthappy
@pinkelefant
@Jollyholibobs
@DelilahDaffodil
@ARoomSomewhere

@ShagMeRiggins
@Liesl999
@Eskimo desert
@BrieAndLetBrie
@Sunnysideuptoday
@TheGhostOfChristmasArse
@RedApplePie
@DogsBumHair
@ChunksTruffleShuffle
@Mumsandaunties

@DryWhiteagainW
@CathyandClaire
@MysteryNameChange
@Jumperorcardi
@zobalina77
@NoMoreLindor
@Tamsi24

@JustAPony
@Moll2020

@lollipopsicle
@BlueRabbitWasNaughty

@Ninarina
@Clomid1

@tinyspiny
@pinknsparkly

@SprinklesofRain
@averywittyusername

OK - that’s everyone tagged. So here we go. Shamefully c+p from a previous Bootcamp :

Bootcamp is a Low Carb way of eating
It’s important to recognise that it’s not a zero carb diet. You aren’t cutting out a whole macronutrient. You will still be eating carbs, except far fewer than you would have been before. Your carbs will come mainly from vegetables, salad and (some) fruits.

A ‘conventional’ UK diet is one that is high in carbohydrates, has a medium amount of protein and is low in fat. What we do when we’re low carbing is to turn that on its head. So it’s low in carbs, still has a medium amount of protein, but is high in fat.

How does Bootcamp work?
Bootcamp is designed to be easy to follow. We don’t count carbs (or calories), and we don’t set a daily limit for carbs. There are just ten rules that we apply.
However. Easy to follow doesn’t mean easy to do. The clue is in the word ‘Bootcamp’! The first two weeks (of eight altogether) are strict, and the most restrictive. They’re also the weeks where you’re most likely to see pretty significant weight loss. After these first two weeks, you can move on to Bootcamp Light.

Low carbing isn’t a very forgiving way of eating. It’s not like calorie counting, where you can compensate for one high calorie meal by having a very low one next time. You need to keep your carbs low at all meals, all day, for it to work optimally for you.

Bootcamp is, though, designed to be nutritionally positive. You will be eating plenty of fresh, unprocessed foods, along with lots of vegetables and salads.
As it’s a Bootcamp, you’ll find (many of you will know ) that I’m pretty strict. If you’re not following the rules, I will pick you up on that. Because I know that if you are cheating, then it won’t work for you. Which ultimately means you’ll be disappointed when it comes to weighing-in. And above all, I want it to work for you!

The ten rules
Here is a summary of the rules - the full explanation of these is on the spreadsheet.

1. (In the first two weeks) eat three proper meals a day
2. Avoid processed foods
3. Eat lots of fat
4. Make sure you’re eating vegetables and salad with your meals
5. Be careful about dairy (apart from butter, which is unlimited)
6. You must drink a minimum of 2 litres of water per day
7. (In the first two weeks) no alcohol
8. (In the first two weeks) no fruit
9. (In the first two weeks ) no nuts or seeds
10. No sugar or artificial sweeteners

NB if you’re a vegetarian, you are allowed to include nuts and seeds, and some more processed foods like Quorn, tofu or soya-based products.

Foods we don’t eat

• Pasta/noodles/rice (of any colour or type)
• Breakfast cereals (which includes porridge/oats)
• Bread, in any form
• Pastry
• Biscuits/cake/crackers
• Sugar, which also includes honey, syrup, agave syrup and fruit sugar, and sweets
• Flour
• Full sugar fizzy drinks and squash/cordial
• Fruit juice
• Potatoes, sweet potatoes, sweetcorn, beetroot
• Balsamic vinegar (all other vinegars are fine)
• Grains/pulses/legumes (which includes peas)

After the first two weeks of Bootcamp, you can add in:

• Some fruit - berries are the best (see the spreadsheet for a list of carb counts)
• Some nuts/seeds - moderation, and choosing them carefully as the carb counts can vary dramatically; again, check the spreadsheet for carb counts
• Some chocolate - dark, high cocoa-content chocolate only (minimum 70% cocoa)
• Some alcohol - dry wines, clear spirits and only occasionally!

Foods we do eat
In the main, things you generally can’t eat on any other diet! Low carb means high fat, so you can enjoy eating things like:

• Butter
• Cream
• Cheese
• Mayonnaise
• Full fat yoghurt

No low fat or light/lite anything

• All meat/fish/seafood (but keep processed options to a minimum; fattier cuts of meat or types of fish are encouraged)
• Eggs; no restriction on how many per day or week
• Fat for cooking and using in dressings - especially extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, lard

Lots of vegetables and salad - this is non-negotiable, and will ensure that you are getting optimal nutrition, including good levels of fibre

THE DISCLAIMER

I, and any of the other MNetters who give advice here, are not medics and we are not qualified in nutrition or dietetics. Recommendations and support are based on our experiences and understanding of low carbing. Before starting, if you are on any kind of long-term medication (especially for hypertension, diabetes or high cholesterol), please check with your GP, as the results of low carbing can mean you may need to reduce your dosage. And if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, we suggest you follow Bootcamp Light. If you have a history of disordered eating, please consider very carefully whether or not this WOE will be in your best interests.

THREAD ETIQUETTE

These threads can move really quickly - especially in the first couple of weeks. Please, please, please read all the posts before you add your own two pennies worth. Use the bookmark facility to help you mark your place.

It’s very galling when posters ask questions about stuff that’s already been discussed earlier in the thread; a lot of work goes into these threads, and not just by me, so please respect that.

(I should also add that it’s always very obvious when someone hasn’t read the whole thread!)

That’s all to be getting on with! Just a reminder that this Bootcamp will last for 8 weeks - 2 strict weeks and 6 slightly less strict.

Fantastic @BIWI and thanks for doing this. I have a holiday booked for week 5, so I'm going to be trying hard before then. Signed up for a pilates class too.

@Eskimodesert sorry - my tagging failed as there was a space in the middle of your username

@BIWI Thank you so much for doing this!

I have two young children ( a 3 year old and a 2 year old). My weight is just spiralling upwards. I need to try and lose this for them and to try and break my sugar addiction.

Just one question. It says on the first 2 weeks part that we need to be careful about dairy (except butter which is unlimited). It then lists a foods we do eat section and has a little dairy section there. Are the dairy products in that section also restricted in the first 2 weeks?

No, dairy is fine - the only reason we talk about being careful is that with milk, you can very easily consume a lot of carbs. If you like milky tea/coffee and you’re drinking several cups a day.

And also, some people find that cream/milk can impede weight loss. (Yoghurt seems to be OK as it has less lactose).

So keep an eye on how much milk you’re drinking, and be aware of potential issues with cream.

Thank you @BIWI. Looking forward to getting started!

Me too! Trying to clear the house of all the Christmas treats/temptations
Which brings me to preparation:

Planning and preparation are key to success

It’s a really good idea to plan your meals and food for the week ahead. Not just the ones in the evening or at the weekends with your family, but all your lunches as well.

Clear your cupboard/fridge/freezer/drawers of any high carb foods and treats that you know are likely to tempt you.

In the first few days you may find yourself hungry between meals - something that really will go away after a week or so - so make sure you have things to hand that are low carb, that you can grab if you need to. This WOE (way of eating) isn’t about deprivation, so if you’re hungry, then eat.

Good low carb snack options include:

• Sliced cold meats/fish
• Cooked low carb sausages
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Olives
• Cheese
• Celery/cucumber slices, with pâté or cream cheese
• Gherkins

Once you’re in the swing of things you will find - I promise! - that you simply aren’t hungry between meals. In fact you may not even be hungry when it’s mealtime. This is quite normal. What low carbing is doing for you is keeping the key hormones (insulin, grehlin and leptin) balanced, so your blood sugar is even. This controls your appetite.

Try, as far as possible, to cook the same meal for everyone in the household. If you start to have to cook two different meals every day, you’ll soon get tired of that and will be tempted to give in. Don’t cook foods that you know are going to tempt you! Now is the time to row right back from pasta and/or rice-based meals.

To inspire you, check out the low carb recipe section:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/low-carb-recipes

Thanks BIWI, looking forward to getting into it. Reading the rules I've realised how much I depend on nuts, seeds, berries and dairy. A tough two weeks is exactly what I need to reset , good luck all!

Thanks BIWI…I’m back boot camping as a veggie, which I know makes things a lot more challenging, but I’m using my good friend AI to build me menu plans that stick within the rules in the hope that removing any need to think about what to eat will help.

Thanks @BIWI reading through that has reminded me that my biggest challenge last time was sharing a house with a lot of carb munchers and a DH who doesn't like green veg. Anyway, we tend to cook separately a lot of the time now because we all
work on different timetables so should be do-able.