I want to carry on low carbing but seem to react badly to too much protein

[lottieandmia]

Can anyone help? I started Atkins and at first I felt amazing but then got really ill and felt I couldn't stomach any more meat or fish.

So I've had a little break and would like to try again.

My question is, how can I limit the amount of protein I have so that I'm full but so that it doesn't make me I'll again?

I was not eating loads of protein before and made sure I had as much veg and salad as I was allowed and drank 3+ litres of water a day so was doing everything right.

Is there a way I can make low carbing work for me for the long term?

I don't do low carb by any stretch of the imagination, but I do do what I have seen called lower carb - I try and keep to under 100g carbs a day and preferably between 80-90g. This gives me planty of wiggle room on lots of veg, an occasional piece of fruit, and around two slices of wholemeal bread a day if I fancy it. I don't eat cereal for breakfast generally, but on the days I don't have bread it's also enough for a small bowl of porridge or two small new potatoes with dinner. I find this level still means the weight comes off nicely (3-4lbs each in the first two weeks and then around 1-2lb a week thereafter) but I don't feel particularly restricted - I can eat family meals with minor adaptations, and I can generally find something when eating out. But it's still a level that effectively eliminates processed foods, sweets, and refined carbs of most descriptions, thereby having a positive health effect as well as on weight.

I have tried doing it differently and still it is making me feel extremely sick and stomach crampy. For some reason it obviously doesn't suit me :-( a real shame.....in any case perhaps I will try to still eat lower carb but up to 100g a day as the pp suggests.

I would just keep a watch on it and watch out for any foods that might be triggers.

When talking about fat digestion, the gall bladder is important. Olive oil and lemon juice is good for keeping the gall production steady but not overly thick. Overly thick and / sluggish gall production can lead to gall stones if this goes on for some time (symptoms could include be colicky pains high up, in midriff area).

If talking more about digestion and irritable bowel, (cramps lower down) gentle soluble fibre is best (found in carrots for example). Fruit skins (including savoury fruits like peppers) and pips can aggravate this.

Capsium has a very good point about fibre - I use a protein shake once a day and make sure to add a big scoop of wheatbran or oat bran to it, at least equivalent to the volume of protein powder. I find the biggest problem with lower carb and higher protein for me personally can be constipation if I don't get enough fibre and water in. And it doesn't take much to upset that balance either. Wholemeal and seeded breads have significant amounts of protein and fibre in them alogside the carbs, and one or two slices a day can make a big difference to how I feel.