Cheese and nuts on low carb?

[stilllovingmysleep]

I've just started the IPD 2 days ago and was wondering if you have any suggestions for snacks? I tend to have a handful of nuts or a chunk of cheese for a snack but I worry that may be too calorific even for low carb standards.

How much cheese / nuts do you approximately have per day on low carb induction phase and what other snacks do you recommend?

It depends, to be honest! Cheese you need to be careful with if you're sensitive to dairy. And as it can get calorific very quickly, restrict the amount you eat each day. Atkins said no more than 75-100g per day.

With nuts, you have to be really careful. Whilst they can be low carb, it depends very much on the nuts. Macadamias and almonds are low carb - however, they're also very moreish, and so you can easily eat lots and lot of them.

Other snacks:

olives
celery/cucumber + pate or a yoghurt-based dip
cooked meats
hard boiled eggs

Thanks BIWI! Very helpful.

Today I didn't have time to prepare much as I had to rush off to work so had:
breakfast: handful of mixed nuts / slice of gouda
lunch (the same as above only slightly bigger quantities)
Dinner 2 small pieces roast salmon / sauteed mushrooms / green salad (rocket/spinach/watercress) / 2 boiled eggs

Haven't felt hungry at all. But your thoughts about other snacks & restrictions in nuts / cheese are useful.
Only a question: I thought yoghurt wasn't allowed on induction? Have I got it wrong?

I have no idea if it's allowed on the IPD or not I'm afraid

Yoghurt is not allowed in the first two weeks of IPD. In Ph 2 you can have full fat Greek.

Thanks Miffy yes that's what I thought although I never understood why as Greek yoghurt seems pretty low carb to me

Its also allowed freely on the Diet Doctor plan and Protein Power but not on Atkins. Confusing!

From what I've read there have always been arguments as to whether or not its suitable. Some say that the carbs are lower in the finished product than on the packaging as the carb count given is for the ingredients ie milk, and not for the finished yoghurt. They insist that in the actual process of making yoghurt the lactose is used up by the culture so the carbs are lower than on the packaging. Others are tending to take to a newer idea that milk sugars are in a class of their own. The theory is that they actually stimulate insulin production more than would be expected if you just looked at the nutritional info. This inhibits fat burning and promotes fat storage.

The only thing I have been able to glean is that you need to try it and see because everyone responds differently. If you can eat it and still lose weight nicely then its a useful addition to your repertoire. If you struggle then try knocking off yoghurt and the 'wet' dairy products such as cream cheese. Generally things like butter and the hard cheeses are more fats than anything and are usually OK.

Hope this helps

Thanks Miffy. Very interesting! I will go without yoghurt for the 2 initial weeks and then add just that the 3rd week and see.

Protein in dairy products - Casein can raise insulin like growth factor IGF-1. So diary protein is not always ok but lots of people don't seem affected and still lose. Nuts are lethal - so easy to consume huge quantities so unless you have good willpower leave them in the shop!