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Dieting & exercise

A new low-carb support thread for 2016

(995 Posts)
Mamie Fri 01-Jan-16 05:59:16

Thought we needed a shiny new thread for the New Year.
The thread is intended to support people who are already on the diet or want to start losing weight / gaining health benefits by low-carbing.
Here is a simple explanation of this way of eating and how it works.
www.dietdoctor.com/lchf
You do not have to count calories, weigh anything, exercise furiously or feel hungry.
You do have to cut out sugar and sugar-substitutes and avoid starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice and pasta.
You need to eat lots of vegetables (especially those grown above ground) and protein which can be cheese, eggs, meat, fish etc. You can eat olive oil, butter and other natural fats. You can eat limited amounts of fruit, dark chocolate and some alcoholic drinks in moderation.
You need to avoid anything labelled low-fat and most processed food and drink.
Here is a link to the Mumsnet low-carb bootcamp thread, for those who want to lose weight more quickly than the diet adopted by most people on the existing Gransnet thread.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/low_carb_bootcamp
Here is a link to the original Gransnet thread - though there is absolutely no need to plough through it before you start. grin
www.gransnet.com/forums/dieting_and_exercise/1214778-Support-and-ideas-for-those-on-low-carb-diet

We aim to help each other by offering ideas, recipes and support. Welcome aboard!

Lazigirl Sun 05-Jun-16 10:47:16

Well done NanKate. Sounds similar to me and my DH. I have reduced carbs dramatically, and feel our diet is much better and we are never hungry. I think this really works as unlike other faddy type diets, this is one that actually changes eating habits and is not just a short term "fix". Mamie sets a good example, and has eaten this way for ? some years with definite health benefits. Sorry is it 2years Mamie?

Mamie Sun 05-Jun-16 12:44:50

It is two and a half years now. A year to lose the weight and 18 months at target weight when it hasn't changed by more than a pound. May be coincidence, but we haven't had any colds or other illnesses either. We certainly feel very well.
Well done to both of you. NanaKate it is great to hear because I know you weren't sure about it at first.

BBbevan Mon 06-Jun-16 05:08:34

Well I put on just 1lb last week, so we had a fasting day yesterday and I have lost 2lb. Hurray, back on the downward slope.
Welsh black steak tonight. Broad beans in the garden not quite ready so it will have to be a green salad me thinks.
Glad everyone on here seems to be well and happy. smile

Mamie Mon 06-Jun-16 07:08:18

That is what I like BBbevan, it is generally so easy to get back on track with his WOE.
We have lots of lovely cold beef left so will serve it tonight with this saffron cauliflower recipe from Ottolenghi.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/mar/17/features.weekend1

Anya Mon 06-Jun-16 07:31:11

That sounds delicious Mamie

Had family BBQ at son's yesterday. They know us by now so large iceberg lettuce leaves provided for us instead of buns. My co-granny asked why so I explained briefly and was interested to note she stole shared our lettuce rather than having a bun - interesting, as she has type 2 diabetes. Message must be getting through smile

DiL offered me glass of bubbly which I refused very politely reminding her of my 100 mission. She looked offended and reminded me that I'd said perhaps I'd have one glass on a very special occasion and this was GD's 5th birthday. I said I was thinking more of a substantial lottery win.

She took it away and replaced it with water. Happily she seemed ok with that but you have to be careful with DiLs don't you wink

Riverwalk Mon 06-Jun-16 10:58:33

For anyone who has an urge for something 'porkpie-ish' I can recommend scotch eggs! In particular these from Ocado - a bit pricey but they were huge and such good quality.

Scotch Egg

They hit the comfort-food spot. smile

shysal Mon 06-Jun-16 11:15:41

Do they have much carbohydrate Riverwalk? I suppose the breadcrumb coating is very thin. I guess they would be easy to make at home without the crumb and coat in something else. You have set me thinking now!

Riverwalk Mon 06-Jun-16 11:24:11

Not much carb, it would only be the breadcrumbs which is hardly anything. The sausage meat was very meaty so minimal, if any, filler.

The packaging has been thrown so I can't check exact amounts.

Lazigirl Mon 06-Jun-16 17:56:57

Gosh you raised my scotch egg hopes there Riverwalk so I googled em. All Waitrose ones are 11g each going up to 20g. sad

NanKate Mon 06-Jun-16 19:28:52

Went out to lunch to celebrate DH's 71st and chose, I hope wisely, from the menu. Not my usual big bowl of pasta but slices of rare beef on a bed of rocket with walnuts and Gorgonzola, absolutely fab. There was a small pot of balsamic vinegar as well which I suspect was sugar packed but delicious. Am I on the right track do you think ?

Mamie Mon 06-Jun-16 20:09:11

You certainly are! That sounds delicious, I would have chosen it (balsamic vinegar and all). grin
This is when you think, "this is a diet?”.

NanKate Mon 06-Jun-16 21:18:02

Thanks Mamie I am so new to this I need reassurance that I am on the right track.

I tried on some size 14 trousers today and they fitted, didn't buy them as the material wasn't soft. Just sound like my younger grandson who likes to wear soft clothes :-)

Pippa000 Tue 07-Jun-16 06:29:59

I have just discovered the joy of ice cream made with frozen berries bunged into a food processor and mixed with whipped cream. It does keep well in the freezer but needs to be left out for a few minutes to soften a little. Just right for that little treat in the evenings.

Mamie Tue 07-Jun-16 06:35:09

That sounds good Pippa. I am fighting a battle with slugs for my strawberries at the moment, but when I start winning... We can't get whipping cream, but there is a thickish pouring cream that might work.
I think we will have barbecued sausages and salad tonight, the gloom has finally lifted here.

Mamie Tue 07-Jun-16 06:39:17

NanKate well done on the size 14.
I am really gutted about BHS going. As I have needed clothes in smaller and smaller sizes I have bought their linen skirts, cut-off jeggings and t-shirts for everyday wear. Last time I was in the UK I stocked up on those and shorts and t-shirts for OH, but fear they will have gone by my next visit...

BBbevan Tue 07-Jun-16 06:44:54

Pippa that sounds scrummy I will give that a go. * Nankate* sounds like you are doing brilliantly to me smile
We had cheesy cauliflower mash with our steaks last night and will have chilli and lime BBQ chicken and salad this evening.
Another lovely day today but heavy thunderstorms forecast for later.

Pippa000 Tue 07-Jun-16 08:52:45

Any thoughts of an additive, not alcohol as I have forsaken the demon drink!, so that the 'ice cream' does not get so hard in the freezer. Mamie, our strawberry season is almost over here and I have a feeling Melon ice cream may not be as successful! As it is 30 degrees and climbing at 11am today the idea of anything frozen is high on the list of needs.

shysal Tue 07-Jun-16 10:51:41

Have you tried mixing in some full fat yoghurt, Pippa? I have no idea whether it would have the desired result, but yog lollies I have tried are quite soft.

Pippa000 Tue 07-Jun-16 11:13:33

Shysal, I will try the yoghurt, we can get really lovely Greek Yoghurt which I find too thick normally, but may be ideal, thank you.

BBbevan Tue 07-Jun-16 11:48:36

I have 3 recipes to make next week, all with double or whipping cream in the ingredients. Now we have an excellent suggestion for' ice cream' I may buy a cow. It will be cheapergrin

Lazigirl Tue 07-Jun-16 14:51:38

The ice cream sounds good Pippa, will give it a go and try frozen yogurt with berries too. Nankate your delicious lunch (with balsamic) prompted me to investigate sugar in vinegars. There is concentrated grape juice in balsamic, but you wouldn't drink a cup full! What I did learn was that acetic acid in vinegars can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar when taken with carbs. and apparently there is good science to support this. It is supposed to work in a similar way to diabetic drug Metformin apparently. Of course only useful if you have diabetes 2 or pre diabetic. I don't know how much you would need to take, but cider vinegar apparently best.

Anya Tue 07-Jun-16 18:09:11

I often stir a teaspoon of cider vinegar into warm water and add a slice of lemon.

Like the sounds of these ice creams with fruit...must start experimenting.

My tagine has arrived grin has anyone got an idiot a fool proof chicken or lamb recipe I can try for my first attempt?

Mamie Tue 07-Jun-16 18:25:09

This is where I started Anya:
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2013/mar/13/how-make-perfect-chicken-tagine
Now I just bung in what I have got, with spices, saffron, dried fruit, nuts and veg of all sorts as the basics.

Mamie Tue 07-Jun-16 18:32:13

This was useful in relation to the tagine:
moroccanfood.about.com/od/moroccanfood101/f/How-to-Use-Tagine.htm

dustyangel Tue 07-Jun-16 19:01:22

I have a recipe using a can of full fat coconut milk to 2 cups of strawberries to make ice lollies. I haven't tried it yet because I can't be bothered with strawberries unless they are naturally sweet and they are late here this year. There are loads of strawberries at the market but they all taste as if they come from very large greenhouses. They weather has got much warmer here now so they should be good at the weekly market on Saturday
The strawberries are puréed and half are stirred into the coconut milk. It says add stevia or honey to taste but I doubt if it is necessary. Then the lolly moulds
are filled with alternate layers of strawberries and coconut milk and frozen.
I'm looking forward to trying them now. smile