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.

@TheOnlyMrsW if you've got bad heartburn try omeprazole. You can buy it in supermarkets or chemists. Life changer. I take it once every 3or 4 days.

@SprinklesofRain how about something like bacon and mushrooms, or sausage and mushrooms? Doesn’t always have to be eggs or yoghurt. Or a continental breakfast of cheese and cold meats?

Thank you - have perked up a bit (with the application of ibuprofen, paracetomol and coffee) so am off to do my foodshop. Will pick some up at the same time and cross everything!

Still not hungry mind but am planning on the sausage traybake tonight anyway as any leftovers can go in the fridge for tomorrow's breakfast . Am good at being good in the week as it's just me here during the day so not tempted, DH's bacon sandwiches on the weekend are a different matter entirely 😆

Get yourself some low carb bread, @TheOnlyMrsW!

https://srslylowcarb.com/

(I know it falls into processed food territory, but sometimes you just need to have a bacon sandwich )

Has anyone microwaved a whole celeriac then scooped out the middle once it’s cooked, rather than peeling it? I’m sure I read on Mumsnet that you can do this.

What about some crispy bacon for a crunchy thing @DryWhiteagainW though it may be contraindicated if you already have indigestion!

Thanks for reminding me about the konjac noodles @BIWI I have some in the cupboard that I'd forgotten about.

Spinach and chicken curry this evening. I made it yesterday and will warm it up as I think it tastes better the next day. Counted up, there are 15 different plants in the recipe, including the spices.

Not me who has indigestion!!! Constipation though 😬

Sorry @DryWhiteagainW that was meant for @TheOnlyMrsW I obviously can't cope with more than one W

@BIWI I'll give it a try - I'm trying to stay away from processed as much as possible apart from chorizo but the odd slice will be ok I hope. I've tried one of the lc bread recipes from I Breathe I'm Hungry I think, it looked great but wasn't brilliant in texture.
Just taken omaprezole so hoping it helps me sleep 🤞

I got out the christmas cheese and read the packets. Anything with dried fruit was out. I realised Stilton was lowest carbs so I've been snacking on that in the evenings. As without carbs I don't feel dinner is so satisfying. I remember reading dairy could stall me. Should I stop? I'll weigh myself tomorrow, see how I'm getting on.

Survived my first meal out of the weekend on track! Sparkling water (I was driving) and chose a special of pheasant in red wine and bacon sauce, no potatoes more veg. Lovely catch up with my oldest friends.

@Rayna37 A friend of mine once said that the value of a meal out was the quality of the conversation. I sort of agree (but I also value the food). But the combination of both - a good dinner with good friends is priceless.

Today will be a test for me, it's been easy during the week as I've been at the office and can only eat what I've planned and taken in with me, but at home it'll need more will power not to fall face first into toast. I did notice that I didn't find it difficult to decline an offer of chocolate yesterday though, so my preferences seem to be changing.

Today my goal is to find ways to use up ready-frozen spinach. I've had two bags of the stuff in the freezer for months years. It is like the magic porridge pot as however much I use it never appears to be any less.

@Alwayslearning25 dairy stalls some people but not everyone. That's not a surprise really since people differ in the sensitivity to lactose generally (I believe it's at least partially genetic and relates to whether your ancestors had access to dairy or not, and which type). Not all dairy is equal as it depends how much lactose (naturally occuring milk sugar) actually remains in the final product. Milk is about 4-5% lactose, cream/yogurt/soft or fresh cheese a bit less but still has some. Butter, hard cheeses, mature cheddar-types and mature blue cheeses are very low because of the way they're made.

Morning all, I also had a lovely night out with friends last night. I checked menu before we went and so knew what i was going to order - steak and green veg, was lovely and just had sparkling water. I have weighed myself and am a couple of pounds down which is really encouraging.
I’ve had FFGY & coffee for breakfast, eggs and avocado planned for lunch, dinner will be either a cottage pie topped with celeriac or a chicken casserole. Will have cauliflower cheese (roasted cauliflower, dash of double cream & a sprinkle of cheese, black pepper) and broccoli (as we appear to have a broccoli mountain in our fridge. Plus lots of water and herbal teas.

We are out tomorrow so am going to make tomorrow’s dinner tonight, so that it can just be popped in the oven when we get home.

I know that I have to be prepared for meals as if not I set myself up to fail.
I have got a work trip in a couple of months that could include a bit of time by the pool if the weather is good - that is definitely motivating !!

@RightTurnClyde I love frozen spinach , with fried eggs , bacon and mushrooms for breakfast , brunch or a creamed spinach , with garlic , butter cream and nutmeg as a side veg dish
I defrost in the microwave , then drain well

I hope I'm ok with lactose as no-one in my family have a lactose intolerance. As few have gluten intolerance so low carb may do me well too.

I was just making a meal plan for the next few days, and realised the same as @RightTurnClyde - it’s easier in the week, when I take my lunch with me to work. At home, I’m more tempted by unsuitable things. I’ve also weighed this morning and am pleased with the result, so I don’t think it will be hard to resist.

I did eat some pasta last night - DD is taking GCSE food tech, and had made “high protein” chicken & pesto pasta. (It had cottage cheese in, I assume that’s where the high protein comes in.) She’s so proud to present a meal for the family, and I feel that supporting her and encouraging this skill is important, so we had that for dinner.

I’m back to being strict today though.

Ooh the creamed spinach sounds good @SemmaLina, we're having pork this evening, thanks!

I'm also a fan of frozen spinach, veg in general tbh. I keep peppers, mushrooms, onions and spinach in and use then all the time in things that only need a handful, much easier than prepping fresh sometimes.

Slept for nearly 11 hours last night so must have needed it! Attempted to measure with DH's tape measure this morning so not exactly accurate (and bl%&*@y freezing!), can't find my tape so will use clothes fitting as a guide.

Not hungry at all this morning so will have brunch before dropping DH off to his band stuff - probably omelette, then a lovely quiet afternoon pottering, then gig tonight. I'm driving so likely to be soda or sparkling water. A whole lb down this morning, would have liked a bit more but I know this works in the long run so not too downhearted

Had a tin of tuna with mayo for breakfast 🤣

have a big piece of salmon for dinner. Might have it with creamed spinach.

are we allowed to use pesto ? Guessing the pine nuts mean no during the first 2 weeks.

We had lemon and garlic chicken breast steaks last night with salad which was lovely , today may be trickier as we are out for our adult sons birthday this evening .

@DryWhiteagainW I'm another one that gets a bit bunged up when I change my diet. I am cheating slightly and having a teaspoon of ground flaxseeds and chia seeds every day but the carbs are negligible and it's worth it to help things along. And obviously lots and lots of water.

Several pounds down so it seems to be working

Some of these meals sound gorgeous, thank you all for the inspiration.

A lazy morning today, as my first trip to a vinyasa flow yoga class last night has rendered me immobile.. or like the tin man from the wizard of oz at least. It’ll be a cooked breakfast for late lunch I think.

I can’t remember whether Linda McCartney sausages were permissible for veggies on boot camp…so may have to go for halloumi as my ‘protein’ of choice.