Can I just keep this as simple as possible

[DickieDonkey]

I no longer want to count calories/carbs and log everything or use a diet book with numerous rules. So I’ve read up on low carb and wonder if I just stick to one rule of ‘only eating food with 5% carbs or less’, will this work? Will I lose weight with this? Or can anyone recommend a simple book or rule that they use?

You should if you have been eating lots of carbs but it is possible to plateau. If that happens just cut your portions down a bit. With any diet you really have to play it by ear. Weigh regularly and observe if any particular foodstuff causes you to retain or put weight on.

I have plateaued many times before but always solved it by checking calorie intake / cutting portions. And to be honest cutting the portion down slightly really is not that difficult. If I eat at the table in the usual way and have my usual coffee after dinner, I feel the same as if I've had a bigger meal.

The good thing about cutting carbs I have found is that food really satiates and you don't feel the same degree of hunger as when copious amounts of simple carbohydrates are eaten.

Thanks, current diet is bad (bread, crisps, milkshakes) etc so I am going to start the 5% and less from tomorrow. One of my main problems is craving even though I fill up on crap so I’m his has got to help.

You should really see a difference, then.

when I want to cut down carbs I ban crisps, pasta, rice, potatoes biscuits, and bread. I do eat an oat meusli in the morning, a salad with protein for lunch, and huge plate of veg and protein for supper. If I want a snack like crisps I allow myself a small bag of popcorn or eat a banana.

I find that I am full and getting good results quickly motivates me. I don't really crave sweet stuff when I'm on it.

I don't know if this is really low carbing as people talk about all the carbs in fruit and vegetables but I love them and it works for me.

I have low carbed and still ate fruit and veg. I just avoided / cut down on starchy carbs and processed sugar. Berry fruits aren't that high in carbs, neither is green veg or salad vegetables.

Come and join us on Bootcamp - we're half way through now but it really doesn't matter! No carb or calorie counting needed.

Are you still doing this, Donkey? I’m starting the 5% idea today. It’s the level of carbs that turn into sugar that matter, isn’t it?