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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

The Pretty Extraordinary Low Carb Diet Thread

999 replies

QueenStromba · 22/02/2012 16:17

A continuation of The Rather Amazing Low Carb Diet Thread.

OP posts:
AngryFeet · 07/03/2012 22:28

Did some cauliflower mash tonight which was really nice. Stupid hand blender is broken so tried to use an electric whisk which did not have quite the desired effect so was a bit lumpy. Still really nice though and a great mash substitute. Made it with a whole head cauliflower, 30g butter, 100ml cream and a big handful of parmensan. I reckon it will do me for 4 or 5 meals. Had it tonight with two pork chops and some cabbage. Nom.

QueenStromba · 07/03/2012 23:10

I had some cauli mash with my stew tonight - personally I like it with just a bit of butter. I really can't imagine trying to make it with an electric whisk - it was hard enough trying to make it in the food processor before I thought of using the stick blender.

I'm going to my favourite steak place tomorrow night - they do fillet steak that melts in your mouth :)

OP posts:
debs39 · 07/03/2012 23:34

re oopsy rolls......too eggy for me! low carb is a bit of a nightmare when eggs and meat are just not hitting the spot!!!! any veggie non eggy type ideas please????? def in ketosis tho as weiiiiiiiiird taste in mouth......and not craving carbs anymore....

GlitterKitty · 08/03/2012 08:06

debs i cant eat eggs which is a bitch on this diet. What about Celery sticks with peanut butter? Tomato mozarella avocado and basil salad? Lasagne made with tofu and aubergine slices instead of pasta? Soup?

GlitterKitty · 08/03/2012 08:14

custy that bra looks like a surgical appliance. Where can i buy one? I am happy to say p2t allows wine after week 2. Gin and tonic all night is expensive!

kotinka · 08/03/2012 08:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GetOrfMoiiLand · 08/03/2012 09:24

Vodka and soda is nice, custy, and cheaper than vodka and diet coke. Just have it with 8 million lime wedges to give it some taste.

I am still in the midst of a smoked salmon and horseradish addiction. I am getting through packets of the stuff. I don't know if there is something in salmon but for the first time in months I dont look grey and whey-faced.

I need to try that cauli mash - I will have some tonight with some chicken I think. I need to try something new - I don't want to get to the point where I am sick of salmon.

I know this is a bit sad but I really, really recommend the Premium mayonnaise from Lidl. It is delicious - bright yellow stuff like proper mayo, and is like the Delouis Fils poncey stuff which is 4 times the price in Waitrose. It's 3g carbs per 100g as well.

I haven't weighed myself yet - I don't want to acknowledge the damage I did in my 4 million cal fest at the weekend. I am just drinking buckets of water in order to try and flush the damamge through!

QueenStromba · 08/03/2012 11:04

Vodka and soda is my tipple of choice. I'm quite partial to the flavoured Absoluts - I've got raspberry and pear flavours at the moment.

OP posts:
PrincessTamTam · 08/03/2012 11:06

Hi girls. Caved in and weighed myself this morn... wish I hadn't! Only lost 1 measly pound!! I've been really good, cut down to one coffee with some full cream milk and everything. Depressing. Have just come on though so hopefully that will help next time.

After reading this am so glad I've cut back on the nuts. It's true its very easy to go overboard, been eating macadamias which are supposed to be good, but probably a few too many! I miss the wine too, went out and had vodka and slimline's last weekend and it was so expensive.

Has anyone tried the Atkins bars? am thinking I may try them for brekkie when in rush for school run... they are expensive though.

QueenStromba · 08/03/2012 11:17

Your time of the month can easily add 3/4 pounds on so you've probably lost more than you think. I'd avoid the Atkins bars myself because they are full of maltitol which has a similar effect on blood sugar as table sugar. Xylitol has a very low GI and erythritol has a GI of zero so I'd stick to those. You could always have something like ham and cheese if you're in a rush or have some low carb muffins or pancakes made the night before.

OP posts:
TheRealMrsHannigan · 08/03/2012 11:26

Hi ladies, can I join you please?

I posted on this forum as it's got to the point where I hate myself and need to lose weight desperately.

I'm currently 12st 5lb Blush and would like to get down to 10st, possibly 9 and a half if I can.

I find very little time (or energy!) for exercise so i know that will be a struggle, but am determined to do something about my weight now while it's still relatively manageable.

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. A typical days diet for example?

kandinskysgirl · 08/03/2012 11:30

GetOrfMoiiLand thank you for the mayo recommendation-I am a Lidl fan and keep forgetting to check their mayonnaise, so will buy that one when I go on the weekend.

Although I had a crazy day in terms of a split shift yesterday and a very late finish (didn't get home till midnight so sleepy today) I completely stuck to low-carb diet! It shows I can do it it just takes a lot more thought when I am working. I am not working for the next couple of days so am going to do a meal plan so I know exactly what is going on and take some pressure off me.

In regards to this can I pick your brains? I have friends coming over for dinner tomorrow and want to cook something that I can eat and they can without any odd questions (they will come when I say no to the vino Blush Grin). I also don't have very much money so cant just grab steak for everyone or salmon fillets. Any ideas of a yummy low-carb recipe that is cheapish? There will be four of us.

Due to my great day yesterday (and probably the exercise of running around chasing visitors all day) I have dropped two pounds so I am pleased. Going to attempt Shred today and the housework, thats lots of exercise right?

Feel much happier already, I think being in control makes me feel that the situation will be resolved. I have to lose weight as I start a new job in June and have submitted me uniform sheet as two dress sizes smaller ekkk...

kandinskysgirl · 08/03/2012 11:32

TheRealMrsHannigan we are almost the same weight and same target!! Hopefully we can motivate each other.

I am eating-eggs for breakfast either scrambled or fried, sometimes with bacon/mushrooms if I am hungry.

Salad with ham/chicken for lunch

Chicken/salmon with veggies for dinner.

Thins I need to expand my menus slightly as I am getting a bit bored but it does work.

GetOrfMoiiLand · 08/03/2012 11:37

I have to lose weight as I start a new job in June and have submitted me uniform sheet as two dress sizes smaller ekkk...

I love that Grin

PrincessTamTam · 08/03/2012 11:41

Thanks Queen, I thought as much re Atkins bars, they do look full of weird ingredients. I sometimes just can't face ham and cheese in the mornings, some days it's ok, and if I have time I make a simple omelet. Probably just need to get up earlier tbh! Grin.

Kandinsky and MrsH - I am exactly the same weight/target as both of you! Am down to just under 12 now which feels good, but did put back on in 3rd wk so have gone all strict again. You are right it does get boring, but am getting inspiration on here.

forehead · 08/03/2012 11:43

Just wanted to ask if anyone has ever fallen off the low
carb wagon and eaten some bread for a few days and have still noticed weight loss.

kandinskysgirl · 08/03/2012 11:46

Yes GetOrfMoiiLand some would say that is a risky move...infact I would say it is a risky move-but the thought of having to ask for a bigger size will hopefully keep me from the pizza...well that is the idea Shock

TheRealMrsHannigan · 08/03/2012 11:58

Kandinsky and Princess, hopefully we can motivate each other!

I should be able to stick to it whilst at work, luckily I get free lunch, there is a salad bar that usually has soem cold meats like chicken ham or sometimes yummy lamb shish kebabs.

The cauliflower mash mentioned on here sounds lovely, I am going shopping tonight so if anyone has recommended items I'll need please share!

GetOrfMoiiLand · 08/03/2012 12:05

I have got some protein shakes which I have when I am not hungry enough to eat, or haven't time to cook anything.

I linked to them upthread but here they are www.thesupplementstore.co.uk/phd-diet-whey-1kg-phd_nutrition_diet_whey_1kg.htm#product-ingredients-nutritional-details - if you have a shake made with 1 scoop of mix it is 4g carbs. It fills you up as well (it has got flaxseed in it which I think helps with that).

QueenStromba · 08/03/2012 12:20

That happens to people all the time Forehead - have a google for "carb creep" to keep you on the straight and narrow.

TheRealMrsHannigan you'll want a good range of protein you can snack on easily so stuff like sliced ham (check the carb content - avoid honey roasted or breaded), smoked salmon, tuna, sardines, smoked mackerel, cheese (don't go mad on this), lots of eggs (it's a good idea to keep some hard boiled in the fridge). You'll also want things like chicken breast, fish and steak to have for dinner - I recommend spoiling yourself with the good stuff at the beginning to help yourself adjust to the lack of carbs.

Butter from grass fed cows such as Kerrygold and cream for your tea/coffee. Olive oil for salads. Lard, ghee or goose fat for cooking (you shouldn't cook with olive oil and vegetable oils are really bad for you).

Lots of vegetables -
The following have less than 1g of carbs per 100g
Spinach for salads
Curly kale (wonderful fried until crispy)
Spring greens
Mushrooms
the following all have 2-3g of carbs per 100g:
Broccoli
Courgettes
Avocados
Cucumber
Aubergine
Cauliflower - frozen will do for cauli mash, fresh for cauli rice
Celeriac - good for chips, crisps and mash
Babycorn (but definitely not sweetcorn which is high carb)
Bamboo shoots

That won't be a comprehensive list of low carb veg but it's a good start - look up anything else online. Be very careful with root veg - some of it is eye wateringly high in carbs. Onions and garlic are a little on the high side but fine in small quantities.

OP posts:
TheRealMrsHannigan · 08/03/2012 12:21

Ok so I ahve my lunch, it's a rather eclectic mix but I'm trying to avoid the rice, pasta and poatatoes!

Some beef madras (so just chunkc os beef, onion and the sauce) probably about a cupful.
Sauteed mushrooms and yellow and red pepers.
A few sticks of cucumber.
Tuna and sweetcorn - mixed with a little olive oil.

Is that relatively low carb/ok for a meal?

TheRealMrsHannigan · 08/03/2012 12:22

Damn, just seen that sweetcorn is high carb, luckily I've not eaten it so I will just pick ou the tuna.

That list really helps thanks Queen Grin

QueenStromba · 08/03/2012 12:23

Ah yes. Flaxseed/linseed is brilliant if you have a coffee grinder to grind it in - it's actually worth getting one just to grind linseed in. It makes great muffins, bread, crackers etc. Also ground almonds are good as a flour substitute for things like pancakes.

OP posts:
PrincessTamTam · 08/03/2012 12:41

Any tips to thicken a beef stew low carb way?