Support and ideas for those on low-carb diet

I'm feeling in need of a veggie meal tonight so planning cauliflower and broccoli cheese. I'm thinking of using cornflour as a thickener and wondered if it is indeed lower in carbs than stated here.

"Cornstarch - Cornstarch has 7 grams of carb per tablespoon, but more thickening power. According to the corn starch manufacturers you only need half as much cornstarch as flour, but experts seem to vary on this point. Sauces thickened with cornstarch are less opaque and glossier. Cornstarch is generally added to cold water and then to the sauce. You don't have to worry about cooKing it" (am assuming cornstarch is the same as cornflour?)

Had cauliflower cheese a couple of time since starting on this 'venture' - but without the sauce and just a good cover of excellent cheese. But in the past, I always made white sauce for dishes like lasagna and cauli cheese with cornflour and milk, with herbs and a bit of salt and pepper- much quicker, much easier and less cals than traditional white sauce- and nobody ever notices. But not sure about cornflour having less carbs than flour.

Having asked, you only need a small amount I suppose and it is gluten free.

That was the best cauliflower and broccoli cheese I've ever made. I have no scales to weigh anything out, so just guessed the amount of butter, cornflower, milk, etc. Lovely smooth cheesey sauce and added a good big teaspoon of Dijon mustard for extra taste. Very filling.

Well Mamie if anything was needed to prove your point it's this Christmas. I went pretty much off piste and savoured the delights of mince pies, Christmas puddings, weird and wonderful Christmas liqueurs, etc.. Not to any great or glutinous extent, but yes I've indulged

The result is I've had heartburn/ reflux for the first time in nine months, those vague stomach aches, which again were a thing of the past, have reappeared and I've put on 1kg in three days

This is the result of eating too many carbs, in particular sugary ones, for certain. Remembering I've been eating pretty much what I want in the way of other goods (including cheese, cream and butter) for the last nine months and all these symptoms had vanished and I was steadily losing weight.

You are so right about this way of eating.

! It's still Christmas! Shoo!

Oh no it's not!

I must admit that my LPR was much worse during Christmas night after I abandoned my usual rule of not eating anything in the three hours before bed! Never again...

What's LPR?

Sorry, it's laryngopharyngeal reflux, which is acid reflux but without any of the usual symptoms of heartburn or indigestion so you don't know when it's happening. The acid can burn the oesophagus and vocal chords and it's hard to control.

My LPR has been about the same, so I'm ignoring it. Upped the omeprazole too. Nothing stops me enjoying my Xmas food. I'm bigger than this sodding silent reflux. (and getting bigger every day [tchhmm)])

Will get back to sensible eating when all the cake, choccie biscuits, mince pies and sausage rolls are gone.

I'm glad you've had no repercussions from your gorging generous samplings of Christmas fare, jingl!

Interesting Anya. We are doing OK.
The Christmas cake is fabulous. No sugar or flour, but loads of dried fruit (figs, prunes, apricots, sultanas) steeped in brandy and cointreau, ground almonds, orange rind and more brandy.
We had foie gras salad with dark leaves and walnuts for our buffet lunch and then roast capon and ham with roast squash and spinach followed by a beautiful three chocolate mousse from the patisserie, which was light as a feather.
Have put on about a pound and gone to bed feeling a bit full, but everything has felt like a real treat. DD and I have sampled fizzy pink saumur, champagne and prosecco
Today is DGDs birthday and she has asked for a posh tea, so will have a tiny sandwich and some petits fours, then steak and blue cheese butter with salad tonight.

So how do you know you've got this LPR if there's no symptoms

There are symptoms, such a hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing, a tightness in the throat and sometimes the feeling that there's a lump there (but there isn't). Plus a lot of dry coughing, at least in my case.

I meant there aren't the usual symptoms of acid reflux.

Mince pies taste sour. Due to the acid fumes that arise from your stomach. And chocolate definitely loses something. It's a bit of a bugger.

Thanks for that information, now I understand. Sounds very unpleasant.

Due to holidays, Christmas, and general off the programme-ness, I've gained six pounds since November

The GC are coming to stay so can't realistically be back on course until Sunday but as soon as possible I'll be back to low-carbing!

I've definitely veered off my gluten-free Fodmap food plan - not eating much right now due to feeling unwell - but I'll be back on course as soon as I can and low carb sounds good

I cook mince with onion, garlic, a mild chilli, a red bell pepper, mushrooms and tomatoes and seasoned to taste. I then slice two peppers in half and stuff them with the mince mixture. I sprinkle the tops with a mix of parmesan and cheddar. It takes about 20 minutes in the oven and I brown the cheese under the grill.

I have LPR, I've had it for years. I'm on Nexium 40mg twice a day and that seems to work for me. I've tried leaving all sorts of foods out of my diet but I've had the most success with giving up alcohol.

Do you have to buy the Nexium yourself sadiesnan? That's a very high dose! (I've got it too)

Oh heck! Bit of a hijack. Soz.

My GP prescribes it for me. I have severe LPR if I don't take it. I had surgery, about five years ago, to repair a hiatus hernia and to put a wrap (Nissans Fundoplication) around the bottom of my oesophagus, but it didn't really help.

Has anybody used psyllium husk powder as suggested by Diet Doctor? The side effects look daunting, but to be able to make some sort of 'bread' or 'pastry' is tempting. Any advice would be welcome.