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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.

Low carb for those of us who aren't hardcore enough for Bootcamp/Atkins induction etc

679 replies

QueenStromba · 06/07/2012 22:02

This is a thread for anyone who wants to eat fewer carbs but has either failed on plans than start out really low carb or just doesn't want to eat very low carb for whatever reason. I'm of the opinion that the high carb diet recommended by the government is the cause of obesity and related diseases and that any reduction in carbs will boost health.

While the Bootcamp threads are fantastic, I think a lot of people find it difficult to dive straight into eating very low levels of carbs which leads to giving up by day five. I did this myself when I first tried low carbing last April. I wasn't even trying to eat induction level carbs, just cut out the obviously high carb elements of my diet (rice, potatoes, pasta, bread etc) and I still nearly killed my housemates. It was about six months before I tried low carbing again and I went about it in a completely different way and have ended up eating induction level carbs through preference.

First I cut down my carb portions slightly in each meal, waited a week or two then cut down the portions even further so I was only eating about half the starch element that I had been in each meal. The next thing I did was completely remove the starch from one meal - I think it was breakfast I did first. I had been eating a poached egg on a slice of toast with a slice or two of lean bacon and some mushrooms or spinach - all I did was cut out the slice of toast and replace it with more veg or an extra egg depending on how hungry I was feeling. Once I was happy with that I started on dinner. Instead of rice I had cauliflower rice, instead of potato mash I had cauliflower, swede or celeriac mash and instead of noodles/pasta I had either shirataki noodles or thin ribbons of courgette. For the first while I still mixed in half a small portion of e.g. rice with my cauliflower rice. I normally made enough dinner to have leftovers for lunch the next day. I lost really well on that without worrying about how many carbs were in veg and I still had milk in my tea and berries with yoghurt. I also had a couple of beers a week and the odd slice of cake or whatever. I only went very low carb after doing a lot of reading and deciding that eating a diet very low in carbs and high in fat (including saturated fat) is the healthiest diet for us.

OP posts:
Dottiespots · 26/08/2012 22:16

Hi....just found this thread.Can I join???? I have been doing lo carb for about 3 years off and on and my reason was that this way of eating gets rid of my ibs almost completely. Of course its the best way to eat for optiminal health. There is a really good site called Paleomg (Pale OMG) which has soooo many yummy receipes all without using refined sugars, flour or any crap whatsoever. Would now like to lose some more weight so will join you ladies for support if thats ok.

PissyDust · 26/08/2012 22:28

Just finished reading the whole thread. Can I join in please? I'm researching before starting.

Some recipes I have read have included tortillas, are normal ones ok?

And also tea, I have cut the sugar out but have around 10 cups a day when at work?

topsi · 27/08/2012 07:21

Hi pissy and angel welcome.
Will check out the site angel, I am fine all day but have problems with evening meals as DH has to eat them too so any new ideas are great.
I would give the tortillas a miss Pissy especially in the first few weeks. Also that number of teas cant be good for you and Atkins believes that caffine slows weight loss so would cut back if you can. Just be careful though as in the first few days low carbing can make you feel a bit strange and if you cut out the caffine at the same time you will feel like shit not great!

quirkychick · 27/08/2012 07:44

Hi pissy, I have just been reading about caffeine! I think it raises your adrenaline which helps you burn fat if you are active after, but 10 cups is a lot! You might find that low carbing will give you more energy in the long run instead. Also, are those with milk? Cos milk is quite carby and 10 cups will add up.

angel I will check out that website too. Thanks.

I am off to have my coffee with cream and do some weights after...

topsi · 27/08/2012 09:25

mmmm 2x coffee with cream and rasberries and g yog

PissyDust · 27/08/2012 21:49

Good day today, nothing for breakfast or lunch apart from 2 cups of tea and 3 glasses if water.

Dinner was roast chicken, creamed mustard leeks (I used creme fraiche) carrots and some gravy - is gravy allowed?

I made stock and will use it for chicken broth tomorrow night.

In regards to bread, is one slice of wholemeal bread allowed with the broth tomorrow, especially as I'm working so won't have anything to eat for breakfast or lunch?

DC made cakes today and not only have I not had one but I also didn't lick the bowl 👏

bbcessex · 28/08/2012 07:57

Hi all, I made the lasagne with emmental slices at the weekend .. It was delicious, thanks for the tip !

topsi · 28/08/2012 08:17

yey scale down another number today!!

squoosh · 28/08/2012 12:10

awsangel that's for the website link, looks like there's some good stuff on there!

PissyDust · 28/08/2012 16:15

Bbc what did you use to make the white sauce in place of flour?

Chicken & pearl barley broth for dinner here made with stock from yesterday's chicken.

quirkychick · 28/08/2012 16:45

pissy another nice chicken broth recipe is to add curry powder/paste/lime/lemongrass etc. to taste and coconut milk (watch carbs as some can vary from 3 - 8g if added thickener) and any pickings from the chicken. Yum. Lower carb than pearl barley.

Full fat creme fraiche makes a good sauce base, so does philly, I believe.

I made plaice in cream and wine sauce the other day. Fried off plaice in butter/olive oil, kept warm. Reduced a small amount of dry white wine, added herbs and creme fraiche. Served with cheesy cauliflower mash and steamed veg.

Yesterday we had asian garlic pork. Marinated pork fillet in soy, dry white wine (could be another low carb alcohol or lemon juice) and garlic. Pan fried the pork, kept warm and added mushrooms, leeks and cabbage to the pan with rest of marinade. Served on pork sprinkled with sesame seeds. Very filling.

PissyDust · 28/08/2012 16:56

Thanks quirky. And your other meals sound lovely, I'm defiantly going to try the pork one.

quirkychick · 28/08/2012 17:45

None of them are original. Googling say, pork, brings up loads of ideas. Pork is a bit of a fave. V easy.

janx · 28/08/2012 19:50

Is anyone else feeling light headed and a bit headachy? I don't know what is going on. Have bought some of those zero tablets as someone suggested I might be lacking in electrolytes but doesn't seem to make any difference. Am waking up with banging headaches too Sad

quirkychick · 28/08/2012 22:53

janx are you eating enough protein/fat/ lo salt?

Sometimes I don't eat that much during the day and then feel a bit lightheaded during the afternoon.

janx · 28/08/2012 23:33

I don't know if I am or not tbh. I feel a bit like I am making it up as I go along. Read online that it could be too much or too little salt and maybe magnesium/potessium balance isn't right.

bbcessex · 29/08/2012 08:00

Hi janx.. How long have you been low carbing for? I got awful headaches / aches and pains in the first week or so.. Been doing it for around 5 weeks now and feel fantastic..

If you are still in the early stages, I'd say take paracetamol and work through it (tho it is bloody horrible xxxx).

If you're not in the early stages then I guess more advice is needed..

janx · 29/08/2012 12:52

HI
have been doing it for a couple of months now - not sure what is going on. Here is what I have had so far
Breakfast - coffee, scrambled eggs made with butter and some ham
snack - babybel goats cheese
Lunch - salad with ham, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, olives and big dollop of mayo

bbcessex · 29/08/2012 13:46

hi janx your menu seems fine but maybe add some more oil / fat? . are you hungry? if so, I'd add extra butter / oil to it..

I guess there is the possibility that feeling rough could be non-carb related? you may just be under the weather? Bit of a pain for though...

PD - I made the white sauce by melting butter, adding garlic, double cream and philadephia to it - it's my new favourite for everything!

squoosh · 29/08/2012 13:51

bbc I'm very into double, cream , cream cheese and garlic too as a sauce, I like a dollop of Dijon mustard to cut through all the creaminess.

bbcessex · 29/08/2012 13:52

yumm... that sounds great! how have you done so far squoosh?

squoosh · 29/08/2012 13:57

I'm doing really well thanks. Hardly any hunger, lots of positivity and three inches of my waist. Yay.

I'm not weighing myself yet as I find it too easy to obsess over numbers and then get pissed off if the numbers don't reflect what I think they should. But as my stomach is where all the weight likes to gather, three inches off is amazing.

bbcessex · 29/08/2012 14:12

thats pretty impressive squoosh - no wonder you're pleased.

I'm pretty delighted too. I've gone down a dress size, and back into my work wardrobe again, woo hoo.

The best thing is that this way of eating doesn't seem at all hard and (for me) is very easy to maintain.. my DH, MIL & DSIL are on in now too because of how well I've done (pats smug self on bag Wink).

I do find I'm spending loads more on food though.. anyone else found that?

janx · 29/08/2012 14:15

hi
I am feeling hungry - will try more fat...is anyone taking supplements - am getting confused with magnessium and potassium. I might book an appt with the doctor just to see if my blood pressure is ok

janx · 29/08/2012 14:17

Definately spending more on food aswell. Am finding a whole chicken is a good cheap way forward - roast dinner one day and then plenty left for luches and another dinner. Lidl had free range ones with 30% off so worked on to be £3.50 for a pretty big chicken.

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