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.

Sadly pesto isn’t great - not only is it quite carby (around 8g carbs per 100g) most of the brands I looked at contain cashew nuts as well as pine nuts. Some also use potato flakes.

The only way you’ll know if it’s a problem is if you’re not seeing any/much weight loss. When people post to say things have stalled, one of the first things I suggest to look at is how much dairy they’re consuming.

@RightTurnClyde how about saag paneer to use up your frozen spinach?

This recipe is only 3g carbs per serving:

https://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/sides/saag-paneer

Linda McCartney vegetarian sausages - aside from being fairly heavily processed - are pretty high in carbs, at 8.9g per 100g (when grilled according to pack instructions).

Are you a vegetarian? Sorry if you’ve already said that you are. Sounds from your post as if you are, so I’ll colour-code your entry on the spreadsheet if you are.

If you know the restaurant you’ll be going to, see if they publish their menu online, then you can make your choice in advance. Stops you making the wrong choice ‘in the moment’!

Hello please can I join
I have been reading through the thread for last few days and was planning on lurking and following along myself but think the only way really is to jump in and join in properly - be accountable. I gained 5 lbs over the Xmas period and before that I have been trying to lose a stone for the last year back and forth. Maybe even the last 3 years now I think about it !!!! I have never tried LC so I am a total newbie, slightly apprehensive but need to do something.

I am on my phone but will try to add my name and start weight to the spreadsheet. I am a daily weigher.

I understand we should limit milk and watch out for too much with coffees/teas - is coconut milk allowed? I'm guessing not!

I’m what my mum refers to as “pesky”tarian really. I eat a little bit of fish thankfully, or I’d really struggle with this woe.

I lost a couple of stone with bootcamp back in 2017, and it was the first time in my whole life ever succeeded in dieting. So I know that it works for me…but I ate a small amount of chicken back then which is no longer an option for me. Can’t wait to get through strict bit and back to more seeds and some blackberries.

You’re very welcome @riskycleo! When you ask about coconut milk, what kind do you mean? Are you talking about tinned stuff, or stuff in the chiller? From your post I’m guessing it’s the latter - be careful if you choose that over dairy as carb counts vary considerably by brand. Alpro, for instance, is 2.7g carbs per 100ml whereas Plenish is 5.3g per 100ml.

You also have to take into account ingredients - Plenish is organic and uses very few ingredients:

Water, Organic Coconut Milk 10% (Coconut Cream, Water), Organic Rice 6%, Sea Salt

… whereas Alpro is considerably more processed:

Water, Coconut Milk ([8.6%] [Water, Coconut Cream [4%]), Rice [3.3%], Calcium (Tri-Calcium Phosphate), Stabilisers [Guar Gum, Gellan Gum, Xanthan Gum] Sea Salt Flavourings Vitamins B12 D2

So to answer your question, ‘yes - but it depends’!

So which version of Bootcamp are you following @mumsandaunties - the veggie one or the ‘main’ one?

Hi all, thank you @BIWI and everyone else that has made this happen. I'm a bit late I know. I've been good though!... other than water. Started the week feeling tired but today i'm starting to feel better than i've felt in a while. Four pounds down this morning and a spring in my step, and no knawing hunger. Going to catch up on the thread and add my weight to the spreadsheet. This is making me face up to a massive creeping weight roller coaster. Everything I try always leads back to the same weight over a period of time. Got to nail this long term !! Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Thanks @BIWI - makes sense.
Will probably just avoid for now, especially in this first 2 weeks.

I added my details into spread sheet - hope it worked all ok!

Just on my way back from Brighton - took DD2 out for lunch, and I managed to stay on the LC wagon, often a challenge when eating out. Chicken caesar salad (picked off the croutons) with some grilled halloumi on the side. Sparkling water with a squeeze of lime to drink.

It's been a very good week - the Christmas food baby has left the building, and I'm feeling much less bloated already. I have felt a bit peckish between meals, which i know will die down once my body gets used to this WOE, but I bought a massive charcuterie platter in Costco last week, so I just go and pick at that.

Because I want to include fish, I’m on the main one. I’ve kept away from nuts and seeds (exc some almonds in a desperate moment and small amount of chia) though I know I could have them on the veggie boot camp.

I made the salmon laksa , really lovely , I highly recommend it
Early dinner as I’d been out for a walk with a friend and it was really cold

Pork chop, spinach cream (I'd stirred in a couple of spoonfuls of baby broad beans before I remembered beans weren't BC suitable, but it was otherwise a good addition), asparagus and broccoli. Thanks for the asparagus cream suggestion, it worked well with the pork.

Wow your salmon looks fantastic @SemmaLina and the egg looks really appetising.

I've been doing veggie bootcamp without the nuts and seeds this week as a reset - am missing the usual flaxseed bread! I found a recipe for bread with eggs and yoghurt but it was a massive failure ... think I might slowly reintroduce them next week. Also very much looking forward to the berries, but on the whole this week hasn't been too tricky. Thanks again for running it @BIWI and to everyone joining in.

Could you give us the recipe Semma?

I added Boursin to my spinach and pan fried the salmon in butter. Added pasta for DH. We shared a 500g piece of salmon 😳 I’m quite full

@DryWhiteagainW
With pleasure
https://www.dietdoctor.com/recipes/low-carb-salmon-laksa

I’ll add to the recipe page too

Thank you

Ooh, that looks very tasty, @SemmaLina <adds to list> I have a freezer full of salmon as it was so cheap over Christmas. DH likes cabbage but I would probably need to sauté it slightly before adding the salmon.

Last night I cooked Moussaka (originally from the India Knight IPD book, but I couldn't find the recipe so winged it). I stuck a layer of defrosted frozen spinach under the aubergine and it was delicious.

@TeamToeBeans sometimes you just have to do what is right for your family. BUt now be extra carfeful on the carbs and make sure you drink loads of water.

@CointreauVersial I put the cabbage in the broth as I was cooking the salmon , didn’t fancy completely raw cabbage with hot broth poured over it !

@venusandmars I have been strict today 🙂 I was pleased with what I saw on the scales this morning, and I’m very keen to keep going in that direction, so I’m not going to muck it up.

I’m finding it easier to drink water, normally I have to really make myself drink it, but I’ve done better since starting Bootcamp.

I’ve just been ordering my groceries for delivery tomorrow, and have ordered ingredients for the salmon laksa and the Thai cauliflower soup that someone mentioned the other day.

I found it more difficult to drink water today than I do when working. Possibly getting up later (I did have a really lazy lie in.) Mushrooms, spinach and cheddar in an omelette with mayonnaise for brunch and dinner was curry night - butter chicken and saag paneer. I had cauli rice and avoided the naan and mayo chutney and didn’t really miss them at all, it was tasty and filling. Finally my new gas canister for the soda stream has arrived - I find that an essential contribution to drinking lots of water/avoiding alcohol. Also planned out next weeks meals today with my DSis (we live together) - tricky to cater for everyone but planning ahead makes it so much easier - and did the online food shop so I am all set for next week to stay on track.

For cabbage, I can really recommend using Hispi/Sweetheart cabbage - cut it into quarters (without removing the stem) and then fry in butter/olive oil till nicely browned on all sides. Season and, if you like, sprinkle with lemon juice before serving.