Summer Low Carb Bootcamp - The Questions Thread

[BIWI]

If you have any questions, just ask them here. From experience, the chat thread moves so quickly, posters' questions often get missed.

Picking up on some that have already been asked today:

Can we eat dairy in Bootcamp?

Yes you can, but be aware that for some people dairy can impede weight loss. Butter is fine - you don't have to worry about that, and yoghurt is apparently better tolerated than milk, cream or cheese.

Cheese is a great low carb food and it's lovely to not have to worry about being able to eat it on the basis of it being a fat.

Milk can become quite carby quite quickly, so if you're having several cups of tea/coffee a day, you need to keep an eye on this. If you can, it's best to have your tea/coffee black - or to substitute cream (double) for the milk.

Cream can be used in cooking (always double, as it has a higher fat content), but again be aware that it might be an issue for you.

The best way to find out if it's a problem for you is to keep a food diary, and then you will be able to see the impact of dairy on your weight loss.

[BIWI]

.... but Sainsbury's do organic sausages that are only 0.9g carbs per 100g

[dawnpreview]

I just had some Black Farmer sausages for lunch, and they were delicious!

[twinklestar2]

I usually buy the tesco organic ones. I'll check the carb count - thanks.

Might have to change my dinner tonight as I'm craving sausages!

Have a few days off work so looking forward to having longer to cook and trying out some different recipes, rather than just having chicken and salad.

[BIWI]

Another dinner I often make (because it's really easy!) is to chuck a whole load of sausages into an oven tray along with chopped up veg, e.g. shallots, leeks, cauliflower, peppers, courgettes, etc, loads of olive oil, black pepper and sea salt, and just roast them till everything is lovely and sticky and starting to char. Fab served with a dollop of mayo and some salad.

Also great if you chuck in some garlic cloves and - if you like hot food - the odd chilli.

[prettybird]

My local deli/restaurant sells absolutely scrummy Italian sausages: 99% meat and the only added ingredients are the salt and herbs. :)

Ds keeps nagging me to buy them - I'm only being kind by doing so!

[twinklestar2]

Thanks for that recipe BIWI. How long does it take to cook? I need quick food after I get in from work :D

[BIWI]

About 20-30 minutes, depending on the veg that you use.

Fry the sausages briefly first, just to get a bit of colour on them, then chuck everything into the oven tray and into the oven. It needs a bit of a stir about half way through but that's it.

[twinklestar2]

Thanks for the recipe!

[newlark]

I have a question - sorry a bit embarrassing - is a bit of body odour a side effect of the body adapting? I shower and wear fresh clothes each day and use a rock crystal deodorant (Pitrok) that I've had no problems with for several years and since day 3 (started on Thurs) I've been noticing a bit of a whiff and have been needing to wash and change in the afternoon. Does this wear off or do I need a heavier duty deodorant?

[BIWI]

I've never heard of that before, newlark! I'll investigate further ...

[BIWI]

Well, well, well looks like it can cause body odour!

How long have you been low carbing, and what have you been eating? Have you been eating more protein than fat, do you think? List out your meals for me over the last three days so we can have a look

[newlark]

I've just been doing some googling as well and it seems to be mentioned on a few websites

I've been low carbing since Thursday morning and first noticed a smell on Saturday afternoon. I'm following the veggie rules as I'm almost completely veggie apart from occasional fish and I have been eating a fair amount of fat (in cheese, mayo, nuts/seeds and yoghurt - all full fat) as well as plenty of protein. Probably not drinking as much water as I should (though more than normal) so will up that to try to dilute it!

Today so far
B - Full fat greek yoghurt with some milled flaxseed and a few chopped nuts
L (out) - Cheese salad with coleslaw
snacks - lowish carb veggie sausage and mixed seeds/nuts

Yesterdays meals were

B - 2 egg omelette with 1 tofu sausage and 1 large slice of cheese
L - big salad with grilled veg, halloumi and pesto dressing
D - big salad with feta, mayo, coleslaw
Snacks - olives, cheese, mixed seeds

Monday
B - 2 large grilled mushrooms with pesto
L - tofu sausage with spinach in a cheese sauce made with full fat soft cheese with grated cheese
D - small piece of salmon with broccoli, spinach, mayo, coleslaw
Snacks - olives, cheese, mixed seeds

[BIWI]

Try upping both your water and your fat, if you can, and see what happens.

It could just be a ketosis thing, in which case it should lessen soon.

[WestleyAndButtockUp]

Is there a separate recipes thread?

[BIWI]

There is indeed!

Some lovely recipes to inspire you.

[WestleyAndButtockUp]

Thank you!

[WestleyAndButtockUp]

Does anyone have recommendations for fitness/diet iPhone apps which work particularly well with low carb? Aren't most of them primarily focussed on Calories, or can they be re-focussed onto carbs?

[BIWI]

There are loads, but most of them seem to be American. Will have another look and see if I can find anything

[Loubsiez]

BIWI and others thanks so much for all this info and help, its been the inspiration for me to try to shift all this baby weight and then some.

I'm actually a lurker on here mostly, but started bootcamp last Wednesday and have lost 5lbs already so i'm definitely a convert to this WOE.

I have been reading most of the threads and haven't come across this before so i was wondering about popcorn, if you pop it yourself and add butter and salt is it ok in small quantities?

[BIWI]

It depends what you mean by small quantities! I think it has to be a no, really.

Whitworths Popping Corn = 47.9g carbs per 100g (as consumed)
Sainsbury's Popping Corn = 52.3g carbs per 100g (as consumed)

So even if you restricted yourself to 25g that's still a lot of carbs in a snack

[MrsHerculePoirot]

Popcorn counts as a whole grain I think. There is just over 6g of carbs in one cup of plain air popped corn. 1 cup is about 8-10 popped kernels which isn't very much at all for the carbs you are consuming, and probably difficult not to have too much so I'd also say a defnite no to pop corn...

[Loubsiez]

Ok will defo avoid, thanks ladies

[Casmama]

I have been following low carb for about 3 1/2 weeks and if my scales can be trusted then I've lost 8 lbs. I have been recording what I'm eating on my fitness pal to keep track and find that I'm eating more protein than fat, is this a problem? Also does anyone have an idea of what quantities you should consume of fat and protein?

Thanks

[WillieWaggledagger]

casmama ideally fat should be higher proportion than protein (though i'm never sure whether that's in terms of calories or grams - calories i expect), and your body can process protein in a certain way that causes blood sugar levels to rise, and therefore for insulin to be released

however, if you are losing weight in a satisfactory way and enjoying what you're eating then i really wouldn't worry about it

if you were struggling to lose weight then protein levels might be something to consider, but in your case i wouldn't bother. and myfitnesspal is not always entirely accurate in my experience!

[BIWI]

The reason you should be eating more fat is that fat doesn't provoke an insulin response, therefore you won't lay down fat by eating it. Also, fat is more satiating.

Protein does provoke an insulin response (albeit a lot less than carbs).

I wouldn't worry too much about quantities, just aim for proportions and you should be fine.

But definitely look at ways to increase your fat. Make sure that the protein you are eating is fattier protein - e.g. chicken thighs rather than chicken breast, pork belly rather than pork fillet, etc