Question Thread for New Year Bootcampers

[BigStickBIWI]

As there are so many of us doing this, the chat thread is moving pretty quickly - and it means that lots of questions are being missed.

So here is a specific thread you to post any questions you might have about Bootcamp or low carbing.

[skandi1]

BIWI and Timidviper thanks.

[AuntieMaggie]

:( thanks anyway...

Feeling completely wiped and have a bit of a temperature... was hoping it was 'only' carb flu...

[Wincher]

l had been planning to do the bootcamp but I've just found out I'm pregnant. Obviously it's not a good idea to start a radical diet right now but is it still worth cutting down on carbs? Anyone got any advice?

[Rooobs]

Thank you Jacaqueen I didn't know about those cracker things. I might have a go at the weekend.

Wincher congratulations, how lovely! I cut out carbs whilst pregnant, the midwife's face was like this

I didn't do it as strict as bootcamp (more IPD) but I found pregnancy is VERY domineering with my appetite and if the baby needs a bacon sandwich THEN THE BABY MUST HAVE A BACON SANDWICH AND THERE'S NOTHING ANY OF YOU FUCKERS CAN DO ABOUT IT!

So, no, pregnancy is a tricky time to do any kind of diet change as your body may have other ideas

But I can't see how it would harm you to just have less bread/pasta/potatoes/sugar without aiming for any kind of weight loss.

[JulesJules]

Any tips for vegetarians gratefully received. No meat or fish, and I'm not that keen on eggs, except the odd omelette or egg fried something. Also hate mushrooms.

I've bought some Quorn "ham" and tofu...

[EwanHoozami]

JulesJules there's a great recipe book by Rose Elliot specifically for vegetarians.

[BigStickBIWI]

TheSandstoneCat - you should be fine, if it's black/sugarless. However, keep an eye on it. Atkins, in his first edition of the book, and Dr Charles Clark in his book "The New High Protein Diet" both say that caffeine can provoke an insulin release. Atkins changed his mind in the latest edition of the book, and there is evidently some disagreement about it.

See how you go.

[MrsHerculePoirot]

ScaredySquirrel - as others have said you only need to think about net carbs if looking at US nutritional labels. But you can add a column to MFP which shows the fibre so you can see if you like. You need to be logged in on a computer and not via a mobile app. Go to Food, then settings and then you can add 'fiber' to the nutrients tracked.

If you fancy it and have firefox you can install a script that will then show the net carb count when logged in via the website see here. I have done all of that, and then decided not to bother tracking at all as it was a PITA!

[MrsHerculePoirot]

Wincher CONGRATULATIONS! I had to watch my carb intake very carefully when pregnant with DD (diabetic) and you can certainly cut back on the carbs (as in you don't have to live on bread and pasta) - obviously eating lots of leafy greens will provide you with lovely vitamins and nutrients you need. There is a lot of conflicting information on the internet and of course no-one has conducted a study on pregnant women I think as experimenting on pregnant women and babies isn't really done willy nilly!

There is a school of thought that you can eat very low carb as that is what our ancestors ate etc. etc. but the more common opion seems to be that you can eat lowish carb as long as you remain out of ketosis - I think most of the low carb gurus suggest that you move to their maintenance phase.

I am TTC #2 and so have been doing quite a bit of research - but haven't managed to find an answer yet!

[slatternlymother]

wincher congratulations!! I imagine it'd be fine; this is how we used to eat in caveman times. I'd perhaps indulge in a little treaty now and then though, give in to cravings once in a while

When I'm putting cream in coffee, what type should I use? Are we talking about single cream?

[MrsHerculePoirot]

Slatternly I was always under the impression single cream was the thing for coffee but was educated by others to the fact that double cream is lower carb. Tbh I still usually use single cream in coffee though!

[BigStickBIWI]

slattern no you are not!

double cream - more fat than single cream.

[thekitchenfairy]

1. Boots looked blanked when I asked for the stick thingummys... What are they called? Assistant was most disapproving...
   

1. Snacks. I seem to be starving in the morning and nauseous Afternoon and eve, doing a fair bit of grazing on salami, cream cheese, lettuce etc... Assuming not ideal, will this pass? I am already sloshing a good litre and a half of water by 11ish and sipping all the time (and seeing constantly too!!)
   

1. How much green veg should I be eating? Struggling as it tastes funny when usually I love it so not eating v much at all really.
   

Ps slattern halo accepted and polished but i am poised ready to attack the next person to eat CHOCOLATE near enough for me to swipe it such is my craving for sugar tonight...

[slatternlymother]

BIWI

thekitchenfairy if ketostix aren't in Truro Boots then we're fucked. Mary Poppins just came out at The Plaza, supposed to be a new blockbuster. And electric is coming soon

[BigStickBIWI]

Ketostix they are called. But not worth spending your money on them, honestly. If you follow Bootcamp rules, you will be in ketosis. Honestly!

thekitchenfairy - the mantra is 'eat when you're hungry'. But are you eating plenty of fat? If you're still hungry, could be that you need more fat.

Eat as much veg as you want, as long as it's on the allowed list and you're focussing on those that are 3g carbs per 100g.

[thekitchenfairy]

Cheers BIWI will carry on as am without the ketowotsits and stop sticking my hand up for silly questions!

And slattern we are fucked indeed if its Mary Poppins, I promised DS1 monsters in 3D as his birthday treat ... Much as I love it down here and have grown webbed feet to cope best with the weather the number of things that fail to cross the Tamar (like good value boys clothes, lime leaves, a full and complete TTD range in Sainsbos) is a source of much ranting and frustration!

[DangerousMouse]

I've been drinking so much water today, it's like a constant craving, so just checked and the ketones tester thingy went dark purple.

Is this something to do with potassium? I already add salt to food, but I'm veggie and don't like avocados.. Help!

[bulletwithbutterflywings]

I have some questions!
I keep hearing reference to flaxseed and ground almonds on LC diets, can we have them?
Morgans Spiced Rum seems to be carb free, can I have it on bootcamp light?
Are sugar free mints ok? I don't want dragonbreath!
I'm sure I had more questions!

[chickenyummychicken]

is this safe for a diabetic?
and is fruit tea sachet eg peppermint tea okay to drink?

[bulletwithbutterflywings]

Dangerous Courgettes are very high in potassium if it's lack of potassium that is the problem.
I'm also mega thirsty

[Jacaqueen]

Slatternlymother you crack me up.

Bullet flaxseed is low carb ,ground almonds do have carbs but are ok in small quantities. Probably best not to have them during the first 2 weeks.

Morgan spiced and most other spirits are carb free and can be taken on Bootcamp light. However your body will burn cals from alcohol before it uses fat. You shouldn't drink too much when in ketosis.

I am avoiding sugar free mints and gum this time as they are full of artificial crap and I am trying to eat more cleanly (please ignore all talk about pork scratchings). As long as you are not wolfing down huge amounts they are probably fine.

[Jacaqueen]

Chicken I personally think this is a great diet plan for diabetics and have been trying to educate my fil to eat this way. HOWEVER I am not a doctor or qualified in any way to advise you on this. If you are on medication or insulin then you must talk to your doctor as this plan could make you blood sugar go too low.
I am following this plan to try and ward off diabetes. I am a prime candidate for it, if I don't have it already.

Herbal/fruit teas are fine to drink. Some have a few carbs but most are fairly low

[chickenyummychicken]

its just because of the ketones i am thinking.
diabetic and high ketones usually is BAD due to the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

[Jacaqueen]

It looks ok.

I would have salad leaves along with the cucumber and sardines. I would also slather the lot in mayonnaise or an oily dressing.

Tinned toms have around 12g of carbs and onions are carby too. Use shallots instead. I would have added double cream to the soup.

Smoked bacon is carb free but processed. It is fine to have but not at every meal.

How many sprouts did you have. I can't imagine that sprouts and bacon pieces was a large plateful. At this stage you should not be worrying at all about the quantities you are eating. As long as your fat content is high it is really hard to over eat as the body should self regulate. If you want more veg then have it.