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Low-carb diets

Share advice and experiences of following a low-carb diet.Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Hello! Day One Done - anyone want to join me?

721 replies

SharkSkinThing · 29/09/2015 20:43

Just wanted to say hello and see if any other new starters wanted to buddy up for support and advice?

I've got 3 - 4 stone to lose, all gained AFTER having my DS who is now - god help me - 5. All down to long-term sleep deprivation and sugar reliance, and forming terrible habits. And wine to help me cope with the sleep deprivation,

Anyway, hoping to finally turn things around now that he's finally sleeping (sometimes until 5.30am!). Would love to chat to others who are finding that this WOE works for them.

xx

OP posts:
Thefitfatty · 19/11/2015 07:11

Our car broke down yesterday and by the time we got it to the shop, and picked up a rental is was about 7pm (too late to cook) and the only thing on the way home was MacDonalds. So I ordered a Quarter Pounder and only ate the burger. Not the healthiest, but at least I didn't eat any carbs! LOL.
Grin

DurhamDurham · 19/11/2015 07:25

A burger is not so bad, like you say even in the face of adversity you stayed away from carbs...........I'd have been reaching for the nearest carbs if my car broke down. Well done you!!

I've just put a joint of lamb in the slowcooker, I've put in on low as we're not in from work until half five. It should be delicious by then, I'll serve it with some stir fried kale and maybe some mushrooms if I remember to pick some up on my way home.

I'm entering Day 4, I'm sure that's when I started to feel a bit rubbish the last time I lowcarbed, ,feeling fine so far so fingers crossed!!

Have a good day everyone Smile

Thefitfatty · 19/11/2015 08:21

Burgers are great, however, McD's hmmmm....It just feels so wrong.

Happy I resisted temptation though. Tonight is the beginning of my weekend here so some nice white wine for me! :D

DurhamDurham · 19/11/2015 10:58

Does anyone know just how band prosecco is when lowcarbing? It's the only alcoholic beverage I really enjoy....it's taken me 45 years to discover it so can't easily give it up? I'm not going to have any for the next month or so as I'm only 4 days in but would like to have some over the Christmas period.

Queenbean · 19/11/2015 11:12

Prosecco has quite a lot of sugar in it. Very dry white wine is good, as is red wine. And clear spirits.

However, everything in moderation and if I were you I'd just have a few glasses over Christmas. It won't kill you.

You could also look at sparkling dry wine, that is probably a bit better but won't be as tasty as prosecco

Thefitfatty · 19/11/2015 11:36

Diet Doctors recommends dry white sparkling or dry champagne. Not sure about the Rose stuff. I'll be in a similar boat as you tomorrow at a friends b-day.

DurhamDurham · 19/11/2015 13:59

I think I'll abstain until Christmas and then treat myself to a few bottles glasses!

FavadiCacao · 19/11/2015 14:00

I'm so sorry, shark, I had no intention of upsetting you. Sad I hope you feel better today.

Given the circumstances, you did really well, fit. I'd imagine Mcdonald's burger would be really fatty (keeps the cost down)!

Prosecco is fine so long it is Brut (~1.5g carbs/glass) or Extra Dry (~2g carbs/glass), durham but a warning: you'll be able to drink your normal amount but the hangover the day after is excrutiating!
I'm salivating at the thought of melt-in-mouth lamb.

Cauliflower alla Carbonara Romana Vegetarian options included. :)

Vegeterian
Proportions are roughly 1 egg per 30g of tofu.

-Cut tofu into small cubes and gently saute' in plenty olive oil, paprika (hot or sweet), salt and pepper to taste (it's meant to be a bit peppery) until golden brown.
-In a large bowl beat eggs with a little grated cheese; stir in the cooked tofu and add steamed/oven-baked cauli; mix and serve.

Fish
Proportions are roughly 1 egg per 80g of fish. Fish of choice: salmon, tuna, trout, monkfish.

-Cut fish into small cubes and gently saute' in plenty olive oil until golden brown with a little thyme, salt and pepper to taste.

  • In a large bowl beat eggs with a little grated cheese; stir in the cooked fish and add steamed or oven-baked cauli; mix and serve.

Traditional
Proportions are ~1 egg per 30g Guanciale.

-Cut guanciale into cubes and gently cook until golden brown.
-In a large bowl beat eggs with some grated Pecorino or Parmesan or Grana Padano or a mix; stir in the guanciale; add steamed or oven-baked cauli; mix and serve.

Notes

  1. If worried about the eggs, return the lot to a gentle flame and cook for a further couple of minutes whislt delicately turning the cauli. It may require a little more oil this way.

  2. Guanciale is expensive so it can be substituted with streaky bacon or lardons; cheaper still and additive free, you can make your own lardons.
    Lardons=skinless pork belly cubed.
    For you, fit, I suggest a really fatty lamb/goat cutlet -bone removed.

  3. For a more 'guanciale' taste:
    -rub the meat with 5% of meat weight worth of (sea)salt (eg. for 100g meat use 5g salt);
    -rub a liberal amount of pepper (1 tbs of crushed pepper corns/kg meat)
    -add some rosemary and/or thyme -which I prefer fresh with stem, so I don't have to rinse the lardons before use.
    -Put the meat with all the salt, pepper and herbs in a zip-lock bag and into the fridge for a day or two to cure (well only partially cure).
    -remove from fridge and bag and pat dry (rinse and dry if using dry herbs)- the lardons are ready to use or freeze for later use.

  4. Fish can be partially cured too prior to cooking, indeed it fully cures in a matter of hours! Rub salt into the fish (3% of fish weight), pepper and thyme; into a zip-lock bag and into the fridge 1-2 hours.
    I often add grated lemon or orange or lime zest or all three to the fish cure, especially if I fully cure the fish, which is much cheaper and tastier than smoked salmon.

SharkSkinThing · 19/11/2015 19:59

Aw, fav, I wasn't upset, just wicked hung-over! Totally my own stupid fault!

That cauli recipe looks divine, thank you, and will be road-tested this weekend! It may even make it to the Christmas Day meal...though my Mum's cauliflower cheese is legendary!

durham, I still drink prosecco when I can get my filthy paws on it occasionally on this diet and I expect, yes, it means I am hampering my loss slightly but not totally. But you must do what feels best for you.

I really enjoy a drink once a week, and I think that's real life. I do always make sure I do lots of evil exercise to compensate and make sure I only have lc snacks to hand.

I agree with queen, it won't kill you, but we are all on a diet at the end of the day, and I think if you are happy to accept a smaller/no loss one week, then that's how I justify what happened on Tuesday!!!

Anyway. Roll on the weekend! Any nice plans, people? I have a rare child-free Saturday, meeting up with a friend in Winchester for some Christmas shopping, but the nice, artsy-farty-crafty kind, looking for sweet stocking fillers and what not. Then LUNCH! And probably wine. Hence my three evil spin/circuits classes this week!

xxxx

OP posts:
DurhamDurham · 19/11/2015 22:15

Favadi could you possibly move in with me to teach me how to cook Grin
I'm good at throwing things together but lack imagination and inspiration.

I do have to say that the lamb was delicious, I made a gravy out of the liquid in the slow cooker and we have enough left to freeze. When my husband was eating it he said it was delicious and how nice it would be to dip chips into it.....not very helpful given that we are both low carbing.

Thanks for information re carbs in Prosecco, I have a few bottles in already and I think come Christmas I'll be ready to enjoy a few glasses without feeling guilty. Life has to be lived.

Quiet weekend this weekend, delivering food parcels to our youngest who moved out to go to Uni, she's only in Newcastle so not far at all, although she doesn't seem to be in a hurry to come home any time soon, she has embraced the student lifestyle wholeheartedly. She has sent us a wish list which seems to be carb centric, she is about to start her first placement on an NHS ward so I don't think she needs to worry too much about her carb intake.

Life is very quiet in the Durham household as both girls have now moved out, I don't really like it but I know I'll get used to it. I think that's part of the reason I'm low carbing again, I need to feel fit and healthy and not get stuck in a rut.

Queenbean · 20/11/2015 12:18

Shark I'm glad you got over your hangover!

I'm off to Brussels later today for my birthday weekend. Hello steak, cheese and red wine. Hopefully no waffles or frites though!

SharkSkinThing · 20/11/2015 17:44

queen happy birthday!!!Wine

Have a super time. XXX

OP posts:
SharkSkinThing · 20/11/2015 17:45

And Durham for you: FlowersWine xxx

OP posts:
FavadiCacao · 20/11/2015 20:01

Happy Birthday, Queen! Wine Wishing you no waffles or frites but plenty steak, cheese and some wine. :)

Newcastle, Durham?Grin I hear that one could start from the top of the medical school (just tucked in from Clearmont rd), all the way to Haymarket, aiming for Fenham height and taking a right for a quick bite in China Town or left for Big Market, with a few live venues in between before heading for a club and still be greated by a kebab shop on your way home...I just can't imagine why Newcastle appeals to students?!

I know what you mean about the household being quiet. I'm missing Dd terribly: she is/was the soul of this house; even as a baby she used to smile as she fell asleep and wake up with a smile (bar a few grumpy teen moments!); I miss her singing and dancing....I'm so looking forward to Christmas: she is coming home for a fornight. All she wants for Christmas is yummy expensive meat, artisanal cheese and lots of fish! Grin

How about swede chips for Mr Durham? Or maybe some bread? I'll post a low-carb ready-in-a-minute bread recipe, tomorrow.

I was so busy today and so hungry by the time I came home, I could have easily had cheese toasties, instead I had a small bowl of olives and few nuts to see me through until dinner is ready. Given the bite in the air, I'am, of course, cooking a comfort food! Mince and spinach roulade with baked mushrooms and tomatoes 'chutney' (recipes to follow tomorrow).

FavadiCacao · 20/11/2015 20:07
  • start a pub crawl
DurhamDurham · 20/11/2015 21:16

Happy Birthday Queen Wine!
Thanks Shark Thanks

Fav both our girls live in Newcastle now, they live on the same street so at least they can look after each other ( and lead each other astray )
My youngest is out tonight with her boyfriend celebrating the fact that they've been going out for a year. They have gone to Carter and Miller Steakhouse, she has sent me a few pics of her food and it looks delicious and perfect for low carbing so I might give it a go. I'm not sure where they have found the funds to eat there as she put out an emergency call last week to say she was running low on toothpaste and loo rolls............my husband delivered some emergency supplies the same day, we might not be so quick next time.

Not long now until your DD is home, she will be full of news Smile They are such a miss aren't they. Our two made us laugh everyday so it's been a huge adjustment, my husband tries to be funny but isn't a patch on our girls!

I'm looking forward to your recipes tomorrow, the mince and spinach roulade sounds delicious. I can cook I think I just lack ideas so this could be an education for me.

We had chicken curry tonight, I was very careful what I put in it and we didn't have naan bread or rice so I don't think it was too bad.

Yoghurt and berries tomorrow for breakfast. We usually pop out for coffee and cake on a weekend so I think we will miss that, we can still go for coffee and just watch everyone else eat cake Grin

SharkSkinThing · 21/11/2015 06:41

Yes! Yes, yes, yes!!! 13.13 for me, making it 1stone. 5 pounds in total and in the 13's finally!

Really want to be 13.9 by Christmas, 13.7 ideally, but being realistic.

Can not thank you all enough for your support, it makes SUCH a difference.

How is everyone else, staying strong and not missing our kids/cake too much? Xxxx

OP posts:
DurhamDurham · 21/11/2015 08:59

Shark that is fantastic news, because it's going so well it's a massive boost to stay on track so I'm sure you'll reach your Christmas target.

I've been v good all week but the weekends are always the trickiest for me. We always go for a long walk but always finish off with a coffee or two and a big fat slice of cake, these habits are hard to break. We're still going on a walk and we will either just have the coffee or if we get out early enough we can finish with a cooked breakfast somewhere.

Still in bed at the minute so had better get up soon if we want a cooked breakfastSmile

Congratulations again Shark!! WineThanksWine

FavadiCacao · 21/11/2015 10:29

Yippee, shark. Grin
I lost almost a pound this week and another cm around the waist. Considering it was my third week, it's not bad.

I'm not sure where they have found the funds
Almost certainly from an extension on overdraft (O/D) or a new bank account with a new overdraft,durham! I've recently finished paying Dd's first O/D, only to start on a second! Hmm

Enjoy your walk. I had planned for a walk around our farmer land today but it's too horrible and cold. I'll venture later into the hills near me and forage for nuts, if it calms down.

Quick Bread

30g ground almonds
7-10g ground flaxseed
15g butter -melted
1 egg
1 pinch of bicarbonate of soda
1 pinch of salt
mixed seed: poppy, sunflower... (optional)

Mix all in a mug, into the microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Turn the bread onto a plate and cut into wheels.

Mince and Spinach Roulade I think quorn mince would work, shark

500g mince of choice (I used beef last night)
2 eggs
100g parmesan, grated
500g spinach (frozen is much cheaper) or beets/chard
~ 1 tbs of fresh/frozen herbs of choice ( I used Majoran, oregano and thyme)
a little grated nutmeg
Salt and peeper
2 capfuls wine
1 clove garlic
Olive oil
2 sheet of greaseproof paper (~30x40 cm, roughly the size of a baking tray)

-Cook spinach in some olive oil and garlic, drain and let it cool.
-In a bowl mix using your hand, the mince, ~1/2 the parmesan and the other ingredients, until it becomes sticky (ie it holds together as big meatball). It should only take a couple of minutes.
-Roll the mince between to sheets of greaseproof paper until it's a rough rettangle.
-Remove top sheet of paper.
-Spread the spinach evenly, leaving a thumb thickness clear around the edges.
-Sprinkle the rest of parmesan evenly over the spinach.
-Roll the roulade using the greaseproof, like if you were making a swissroll or sushi.
-Pinch close the 2 open ends.
-Brush olive oil on the visible part of the roulade and paper.
-Holding the paper at the corners, gently lift the paper allowing the roulade to roll towards you and further in on the paper.
-Brush the underside of the roulade with olive oil.
-Roast until golden brown and a crust has formed (160C-180C).
-Rest for a few minutes before carving.

Notes

  1. I have never used quorn but I imagine it to be very lean, I suspect it will need some suet.
  2. As we are not using bread crumbs, the wine is important to stickify the meat. If you don't have wine, a mild tasting vinegar will do the trick.
  3. If the meatball feels too wet, put it in the fridge for 1/2 hour, before rolling
  4. Parmesan is expensive in the Uk, so it can be left it out from the mince and a different cheese can be grated over the spinach instead.
  5. For a more festive or decadent version add a little chopped sundried tomatoes (watch the carbs) and few pine nuts to the spinach.

Mushroom and tomato 'chutney'

Whilst waiting for the roulade to cook...

3-4 salad tomatoes
300g mushrooms of choice (I used a mix of colsed-cup and oyster)
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Lay sliced mushrooms on a baking tray, add a sprinkle of salt and pepper and bake. They are cooked when you can smell them!
I cook them in batches and then set aside, they'll warm up later with the hot tomatoes.
Whilst the roulade was resting, I popped the tomatoes in the oven until their skin has started to peel. I then peeled the tomatoes using a pair of tweezers, chopped them and added them to the mushrooms. I dressed the lot with olive oil, salt and a little chopped parsley.

FavadiCacao · 21/11/2015 10:38

*farmer's land.

The bread is lovely to dip in egg yolk! it also makes lovely canope': delicious with smoked salmon, a squeeze of lemon and a dust of pepper; quite tasty with a bit of boursin, too! I now fanncy some with some prawn pate'!

Queenbean · 21/11/2015 11:26

Shark congrats on your weight loss! That's incredible!

Favadi, amazing recipes as usual. You need to do some sort of cook book.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, unfortunately I am holed up in a hotel as Brussels is on lock down! Oh, and I fell off the wagon and ate frites. Bloody delicious though!

DurhamDurham · 21/11/2015 14:55

Those are fantastic recipes Fav, I'm going to try the roulade and the bread next week.

We went on a long walk, it was freezing but dry. Finished off in a pub where I had a three egg omelette with bacon. It was delicious. Husband had a full English but was very restrained and only ate half his toast.

Off to my parents for dinner tonight, the last time I low carbed I explained to my mum I wasn't eating chips/pasta etc and when we arrived she had cooked wedges and rice as she thought they'd be ok Grin
I've checked what she is cooking tonight and it's beef stir fry which isn't too bad. She has invited us back for Sunday lunch tomorrow as she has bought the biggest joint of beef I've ever seen so it looks like I won't have to cook at all this weekend.

Wrap up warm everyone because it's chilly out there, my nose hasn't defrosted yet.

Thefitfatty · 22/11/2015 04:51

Well I managed low carb (set off by lots of white wine ;/) all weekend, except for a slice of cake at a birthday party on Friday, and boy did I regret that the next day! Just cramped up all day. So no more Gluten for me!

Made home made bbq sauce last night and it was delicious, and I intend to make home made ketchup this weekend. :)

Glad everyone else is doing good, and happy belated birthday Queen, congrats on the 13's Shark!

SharkSkinThing · 22/11/2015 07:08

Thanks, all. I had a lovely day shopping in Winchester with by bf, and although my lunch choice (wild mushroom stew with braised lentils and the smallest portion of sweet potato mash ever) was not the lowest of carb choices, it was the best choice on a freezing day! Yum!

fav -I agree - you need your own cook book! And I am going to make that tom/mushroom chutney, sounds delicious. I am really hankering after mushroom stroganoff at the mo, and plan to make a big batch for my lunches at work this week.

durham your walk and lunch sounds lovely, even with the weather! I love a good stomp in the countryside, DS not too keen on them at the moment as so cold!

Mmm, queen, frites! But hey, if you are going to have them, have them in their proper setting!

fit - I get that too, now. I had a muffin a few weeks ago with a poached egg, and it, quite literally, went right through me. I guess our gluten days are over!

What are people up to today? Cold and dry here, so need to get out for a walk along the beach I think, then a big lunch! xxxx

OP posts:
Thefitfatty · 22/11/2015 07:20

It's a work day for me (my weekends are Friday and Saturday), and the University I work for is having this big "Innovation Week" (read buzz word, blah blah so lots of Sheikhs and big shots can visit and shake hands), so I'm hoping I can find an hour and half to run to the gym. However the new Adele album is helping my mood immensely.

The weather here is so lovely at the moment! 28 Celsius and a nice cool breeze. Such a relief after a very long hot summer. I just want to live outside right now.

I'm actually thinking of getting up at 5am tomorrow and doing my run outside, and then just hitting the gym during my lunch break for weights. I think the fresh air may be a good start to the day, but I've always sucked at running outdoors. Confused