Is a low carb diet for me?

[MonstersDontCry]

I'm 5ft4 and around 9 1/2 st, so I don't really need to lose weight. (maybe just a bit) I just want to be healthier. So would low carbing benefit me? Also, I'm breastfeeding. Any advice appreciated.

Bump

What is your diet like now? Most people would agree that reducing your intake of processed food and carbs particularly will benefit your health, and low carbing means that you keep your blood sugar levels steady which as well as being good physiologically can also help with improving concentration, avoiding snacking, clear skin, less bloating feeling, people with ibs often find their symptoms are alleviated etc

If you don't need to lose weight then you don't new to be quite so strict - probably cutting right down on sugar and grains and potatoes would be good, but keeping a moderate amount of carbier root veg like carrots, and legumes like peas, as well as maybe some nuts and/or a bit of fruit - it's a case of working out what works for you.

As far as i am aware, breastfeeding and low carbing should be ok, as you're not cutting down on calories and should be basing your diet around plenty of fresh veg, fats and protein, but I'm no expert and wouldn't want to advise specifically

Try just cutting out refined sugar and processed grains. So no fruit juice, cereal ( unless unprocessed with no added sugar), white bread, rice, sugar, sweets, cakes etc. Your only drinks should be water, tea and coffee.

My main meals are okay (although always contain either potatoes or pasta ect) but I'm constantly hungry and I snack ALOT, even though I eat huge meals. I'm fed up of it. I crave food all the time.

I'm inmy early twenties so I know I won't be able to continue eating this much crap and not gain weight, which is why I want to do something about it now.

I only ever drink water/te/coffee, so that's okay. So do you think if I were to cut out obvious carbs, bread/pasta/potatoes, plus processed foods and sugar, but still eat carby veg, that would be okay?

Sorry if they are stupid questions, I've ily recently started to look into LC.

Sorry, just thought of something else, would I still need as much fat if I'm not as strict with cutting down the carbs?

That does sound ok. The thing about eating fat it helps you feel full and less likely to have cravings and feeling hungry a short while later (a decent amount of protein helps too). It helps to understand the mechanisms behind the way different macronutrients are metabolised

Biwi has written here about how carbs/fat/protein are processed differently in the body

You should absolutely aim to include plenty of fats in your diet if you are planning to eat low carb, but the amount that is right for you will vary in the same way as the amount of carbs (sorry this isn't very helpful!)

Is it possible that the breastfeeding is making you very hungry and your appetite may reduce when you come to weaning? Eating in a low carb way might still help though as the fats help you feel full and the relatively low carb intake keeps you blood sugar levels steady making you less likely I have the blood sugar highs and crashes that make you feel ravenous and seeking sugar!

No stupid questions at all - low carb eating can be difficult to get your head around!

You can also probably find the Atkins book in second hand shops which explains the science behind it really well. It is actually very healthy as you are not eating processed food and it really helps to curb food cravings as it keeps your blood sugar levels steady. First time I did it I lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks!!

Thank you for your replies. I think I will give it a go.

Breastfeeding has made me hungrier , but only slightly, I've always been like this.

Any chance you could recommend a full fat yoghurt brand? The supermarkets just seem to be full of low fat ones.

total greek yoghurt is very nice and about 3.5g carbs per 100g

do feel free to come and join the bootcamp threads if you like - we are starting another formal bootcamp on 9th September, but even if you don't want to be as strict as that you can join in the support and chat

Thanks for that.

I've seen the thread about the next bootcamp, I'll definitely be joining. I'll see you in september!

Monsters Hi :) There really aren't any stupid questions - or should I say, none that haven't already been asked by all of us when we started

If you want something to read, get a copy of John Briffa's 'Escape the diet trap' - it's easy to read, but very informative.

Low carbing is brilliant to stop that constant snacking and huge meals.

There's a Lidl or Aldi yogurt that's low in carbs as well. Total and that one are about 3.5g per 100, most of the others are 6 or higher.

If I were you, I would do Bootcamp for two weeks, completely and properly. It will help you get on track, get your body changed over to fat burning and stop you craving the carbs, then if you wanted to you could gradually add back some carbs until you feel the balance change. But that's just my opinion :)

Hi chip thanks for the advice and book recommendation. I'll definitely be giving that a read. How long does it take for the cravings to stop? Can't wait to start eating yummy butter again! I've even got DP considering LC too.

And I think I will do the strike bootcamp for two weeks too. Thanks for that.

Monsters - some people really suffer with carb cravings and others don't - for varying lengths of time. I think (well for me anyway) the key to it is to say 'For x amount of time I'm not eating xyz' - it feels much more do-able than 'I'm never eating x again'.

It's a bit muddled for me though as I was diagnosed with diabetes so there were other things to consider and read about etc

When I smell toast, I still want it. But the couple of bites I have had have really made me realise it isn't 'all that'.

For me, being a low carb non egg eating vegetarian, it's the convenience I miss - not the food really.