Best Low Carb trick or tip you know

[KatieHopkinsEvilTwin]

I'm new to this low carbing. (Did it about 10 years ago with fantastic results but nothing since, so have forgotten a lot). Have lurked on the board for a while, umming and ahhing about whether to do it again and I have finally taken the plunge and started today.

I have a very sweet tooth and suffer a lot with sugar crashes and lows. I need to do this and make it long term. Tell me any hints or tips you may have to help me through the awkward bits.

Forgot to say thank you at the end of that, how rude of me.

Thank you

Lurking with interest - I have finally admitted to myself that I have a problem with sugar and carbs. Mainly sugar. I start off the day being good, go to the gym, drink lots of water, eat salad and protein. Then the evening comes, I'm exhausted and before I know it I'm face down in a plate of sausage and mash, followed by the entire contents of DD's sweetie tin. Could really use some tips and motivation too! Thanks in advance.

Theresadog That sounds exactly like me. I have a really unhealthy relationship with sugar. I need to get it under control.

Hopefully someone will hear our distress cries...........!

Hopeful bump. I just caved early and ate a load of marshmallows and toffees - no willpower.

I've dipped my finger in a tub of chocolate spread. Lucky I couldnt find a spoon cos the whole lot would have been gone.

Have you tried a sliced apple with peanut butter?

I am dipping my toe in the water of low carb eating and trying to work on a 'good driving out bad' principle. Eg, I had scrambled eggs for breakfast and that kept me going till lunch, whereas previously I would have had a mid-morning snack.

The way I start low carbing is an absolutely massive cooked breakfast without the toast and any carby bit for lunch and something like a roast without the potatoes for dinner. I do this for about a week . Im then so full up I don't want the sweet stuff. Then as the sugar cravings get under control I concentrate on smaller, healthier meals and have loads of small packs of ham in the fridge for snacks. It does work. I used to eat a massive bar or box of chocolates everyday and haven't touched it for 3 years.
Good luck.

I agree with Creamy. The trick is to stick to it until the carbs/sugar cravings go. Planning ahead for snacks is also very useful:Nuts instead of crisps; homemade crackers instead of shop-bought...

Saying that I know how hard it can be! For the sweet tooth: Berries and cream; homemade nutella; berry ice-cream; rubharb and apple with a sponge cake layer should satisfy those pesky cravings.

Homemade Nutella

Ingredients
100g dark chocolate (75% min)
2Tbs freshly squeezed orange juice
1 small pot of double cream (~185mls)
30g hazelnut (toasted and crushed).

Method
Melt chocolate in a non-stick pan over low heat.
Add orange juice slowly and gently stir until the juice is all incorporated.
Add cream and as soon as the cream is all incorporated remove from the heat.
Mix in hazelnuts.
Let it cool down for a few hours so it can set.

Berry ice-cream

Ingredients
400-500g Mixed Frozen berries
1 tin of Full fat coconut milk (chilled in the fridge overnight)

Method
When chilled the coconut milk will form two layers: a rich cream layer at the top and a watery layer at the bottom.
Place the cream layer in a food processor/blender, retaining the water for later/other dishes.
Add frozen berries.
Blitz until smooth!!!Done! (if the ice-cream is too thick add a little of the retained water)

Rhubarb and Apple with sponge cake layer

Ingredients

200-300g rhubarb (the younger, the sweeter)
1 apple
1 medium fresh beetroot (optional: adds sweetness)
1tbs lemon (optional)
a little water

For the cake layer:
3 egg
90g ground almond
30-45g butter
(1 tsp honey if necessary)

Method

Clean rhubarb by removing leaves and the greenest parts. Peel, core and chop the apple. Peel and chop beetroot.
Place the fruit in a pan and add 1-2tbs of water (and lemon juice, if using).
Simmer over low heat until all the fruit as 'mushed'.

Place the rhubarb 'mush' in a microwave proof dish (~20cmx10cm) to form a 2cm layer and proceed to make the cake layer.

Cake:
Melt butter for a few seconds in the microwave.
Mix all ingredient in a bowl with a fork until all blended.
Pour over the rhubarb and apple.
Microwave at full heat for 4-5min. The cake should feel springy to the touch, if it sticks to the finger. Microwave for a further 1-2mins.

Lovely served with cream.

I have to go 'cold turkey' on the carbs to get started. But I have lots if low carb snacks on hand as I always want to eat when I start (dieters mentality!). I have mini pepperamis, cooked chicken, celery and pate, cheeses, pork scratchings, sea salt crystal butter to spread on cucumber, cheese anything! After a few weeks my sweet cravings go away and then I am fine.

Once on track, I drink loads of water and find I don't need to snack anymore. If I have a sweet treat then Greek yoghurt and berries or sugar free jelly and cream.

Wow, thanks for all those! The recipes look amazing!

creamy Brilliant tip.

The recipes look good too. How many carbs did you drop down to? im trying to aim for less than 20g each day. I've been reading about carbs and nett carbs and completely confused myself though doesnt take a lot

Thanks for all the advice I am trying to start low carb but hard with 4 very young children sometimes I just grab what's easy and close to me. I will have to try and make a bunch of stuff when I have extra time I guess. I java a serious problem with sugar it's like a drug

I did low carb 10 years ago and lost 5 stone, size 20 to size 10 - I kept it off (fluctuated by 1.5 stone up and down) til I fell pregnant in 2012. I'm the heaviest I've been for a long time now, but not back to my peak, yet, anyway. I need to get back on the wagon with it - some great tips on here - thanks x

Totally agree that initially you probably need to snack, and eat more than you'd ideally want to, until the carb cravings go. Then once they go you'll find yourself eating much less and not needing snacks.

It's definitely mind over matter! Focus on enjoying your food, savoring the taste, and putting down your fork in-between bites. Also, it takes about 30 minutes for the brain to realize that the stomach is full! watchfit.com/articles