How many of you follow a low carb diet?

[Housewife2010]

I've just been looking at lowcarbotopia.blogspot.co.uk.
So many of the diet rules have changed since I was growing up, but I really don't think I could give up my potatoes & enjoy green vegetables. But, I would like to be thin.

My dcs eat the same as us...I just put a serve of potatoes on their plate - or for a curry they get brown rice and we get "Cauliflower Rice". And yes they commented and were curious because I always eat with them (as does dh if he gets home in time), and we always eat the same food - so yes they asked and I explained...isn't that how it usually works?

Ps I was initially devastated at the thought of giving up bread, cake, rice, fajitas...

You get used to it and I enjoy the food we eat now.

We follow the 80/20 rule so we have treats at weekends or when we visit friends.

My dd1 likes cauli-rice, cauli-mash, celeriac mash, courgette-"pasta". She's found the transition easier than DH.

But if they are low-carbing, how do they get enough calories? My DC eat carbs like they are going out of fashion, but they are a teen and pre-teen!

I ask because I am wondering if it could make them more aware of being body-conscious - I am not overweight, but would rather be half a stone lighter. My children think I look slim - I am a little worried about what message I am giving them if I say I am not eating certain foods because I want to lose weight. I don't want them to think some foods are good and some bad, nor start worrying that they need to lose weight even though they are both in the middle of a healthy BMI for their age.

It barely registers. I eat what they do without the carb part. Or I have my own thing later with dh.

There's loads of healthy stuff being eaten by everyone so it's good.

Also they do eat carbs every night. They are hungry and growing. I don't talk about losing weight.

Might be easier as they are little.

I think that when they are little, very few questions are asked. However, mine would be looking at my plate and asking why I didn't have any potatoes, etc. And would be mulling over why not = it must be bad food if mum doesn't want to eat it....

I do remember being intrigued by what my mother ate. I remember that she never had as much as us, and would frequently mention food in an 'oh I shouldn't' way. She has always been very slim. Tbh it was a bit of a fuss.

So on the upside I don't eat very little or feel bad or guilty about any food I eat and it's all healthy and quite green. But hmm would they notice I don't eat potatoes and would it be a problem. Not sure really.

I do think growing bodies need those good carbs more than I do and don't mind saying that.

I just tell my DCs that I'm cutting down on pasta/spuds etc as they make me feel too stuffed, and they can easily relate to that (let's face it, if they are getting full during dinner, don't we all tell our kids to "leave the spuds/rice/pasta" before anything else?).

I also explained to mine that when you are young/growing/running around you burn off everything you eat, but when you are old and sit in an office all day like mummy your body doesn't burn the food off quite as well, so you can put on weight. Obviously this is glossing over quite a lot, but it helps them understand healthy eating and not regard food as bad thing when they are still growing.

Plus calories come from eating fat. You get energy from carbs or fat which is why you can't low fat & low carb.

We all eat full fat things, dairy etc. DD1 will have fruit with her breakfast for example. Today she had scrambled eggs, an apple, a tangerine and some raisins.

I had Greek style scrambled eggs with feta and tomatoes in which no one else in the family will touch, bit of spinach, no fruit.

Why make an issue of it at all? If they notice/ask - and I'm amazed that they would - just say you don't fancy it. End of. No need for them to jump to conclusions/make assumptions that it's to do with weight!

That's a good line CV.
And the bit about growing bodies

BIWI, mine notice. And ask questions. They are quite food/body conscious already.

Anyway, I can't see how I could ever manage a proper low-carb diet, so it's all a bit immaterial

I low carb because I feel much better without pasta and bread, and in fact have reduced those for thh whole family. We still have potatoes ( tho' I have cut down my own, I have found that butternut sqaush fill the gap potatoes used to fill, but are lowere in carbs and calories.). Sweet potatoes tho are higher that white potatoes in carbs and calories so avodi those.

Unfortunately all those labels of good food - bad food - fat is bad - thin is good messages have already been passed on via the healthy eating curriculum at school. There is no way of avioding it. They aren't as clueless as you think, being overweight is not seen in positive terms whether you talk about it with them or not.

When I tried to low carb I felt incredibly weak and faint - not really hungry just very pathetic. I tried it for about 5 days but had to grab some toast and marmalade. Was I doing it wrong or just being pathetic?

I don't cut out carbs altogether but I do restrict them and I rarely eat bread and never pasta. Much easier to keep weight gain off than if I do.

Snoopy I think you had what's known as carb flu - I had it for one day - some people have it for up to 3 weeks

Blimey I don't think I could have functioned if it lasted for 3 weeks. Thanks BettyBathroom

It's very rare to have it for that long - usually you're over it after 3 days.

I wouldn't say you were pathetic, just that you weren't convinced it was worth persevering!

Would it be better if I gradually reduced the carbs rather than cold turkey or would that just delay the feeling.

I was too weak etc to work

If you really felt that bad, then yes, I'd go for gradual reduction. It's an indication as to just how much of your diet is given over to carbs! What do you eat most of? Try cutting that out/down first of all.

OK - Me eat too many carbs Yes I do without doubt a lot of fruit, bread etc. I will cut out the bread. Thanks for your help BWIB

As a child I had low blood sugar and was encouraged to eat carbs every 3 hours - it did help but if I miss a meal I feel very wobbly. However from what I have been reading this is the exact opposite of what I should be doing.

I haven't read the whole thread, so forgive me if I repeat anything that has already been said. This year I have lost a stone and a half on Dukan which is basically no carb or sugar initially then you are allowed them but occasionally. Low carb is the way to go....and I don't miss them at all (apart from booze which I am now having occasionally ). Easy, but I think successful dieting is about finding one that works for you, so this one is good for me but not for everyone.

What really is a killer in this country is that we are carb obsessed ..... Crisps, cake, biscuits, chips and the killer is in restaurants they bring the bread first so you pig out on that before you have even ordered the food!!! I now ask them not to bring bread before the food and ask for extra veg/salad instead of chips/potatoes etc.

Oh Snoopy! What bad advice you have been given

No wonder you are addicted to carbs. If I were you, I'd look to cut out the really 'bad' carbs first - bread, pasta, rice - but cut down rather than cut out straight away. If you up your protein and fat levels, that should make sure that you're dealing with your blood sugar levels.

Why not start the day with wholemeal toast - and then a piece of fruit with your lunch, but from then on only get your carbs from veg/salad?