Low-carb support thread 2016 Part 2

Just seen on IPlayer a programme called Low Carb High Fat. The presenter went to check with his GP what her thoughts were on this way of eating. She didn't personally recommend it but said she would check his cholesterol and weight after 3 weeks to tell him the results.

At this point I would say his Doctor looked on the verge of obese

He returned to find that his cholesterol had come down and that he had lost almost a stone.

There was a mix of advice from different experts and the Government advice still recommended bread, potatoes, pasta and low fat food.

I didn't see it, so thank you for the update. I did see the one about the type 2 diabetes epidemic. Not much focus on diet, but one person did mutter something about being told to eat less sugar and carbohydrate.
I find it quite interesting that with the diet threads on here, you get people saying how hard it is to stick to a diet, but refusing to try LCHF, which a lot of people seem to find fairly easy to maintain.
We are gradually shifting back to a winter diet, but still cropping tomatoes, courgettes and salad from the garden.

I saw the first 5 mins of the BBC program about the diabetes epidemic. I turned it off as it was talking about amputations.
I'll stick with the LCHF which is easy and has great results. My DD has lost 15lb in the last 4 week on this way of eating.. She is not diabetic or pre-diabetic but has put on quite a bit of weight. Her doctor said she may be heading for problems in the next 5 years , so she is doing something about it now. I am really pleased she is so proactive.

Step sister has gone to Oxford for a Uni reunion for two days, so catching up on GN.

We saw that programme on diabetes and it was certainly hard hitting. It ought to be compulsory viewing for everyone.

We went into Leamington Spa last week and found a speciality shop there selling different olive oils and vinegars. Bought dated balsamic vinegar and blueberry vinegar and a couple of olive oils. A teaspoon of the date is lovely and just enoigh to add a zing to natural (no added sugar) yoghurt.

Well done your DD BB

Cooked a lovely meal with salmon and spiralised veg straight from Mary Berrry last night. Not a carb to be seen. DSS has just fallen in with our régime and says it's not too far from her usual way of eating - which might explain why she's so slim and heathy anyway

Nice to hear from you again Anya, you have been missed. How are your injuries?

I am going to do the Mary Berry salmon meal at the weekend.

Thank you shysal

My rght arm (radial head fracture) is doing really well....I'd say 95% recovery. The left arm (distal radius) not so good. Had cast off two weeks ago.

I used spiralised sweet potato instead of carrot (cos that's what I had in) and it worked just as well.

Glad you are at least partially on the mend!

Nice to see you backAnya
We are moving in with DD in a few weeks so we can look for a house. I intend to cook the evening meal for us all. DD and DSiL both work hard and are tired when they come home. So I might be of help and I can monitor( surreptitiously) what they are eating. Though I shan't be the Food Police

Lovely to see you Anya and glad your recovery is progressing. I have been at my French history class and OH is cooking something delicious smelling with chicken, peppers and aubergines - he has just brought me a glass of cava.

Oh my Anya, what happened to you?

I haven't been on for ages. DBh had a nervous breakdown 15 months ago and I found that I just come on here. I felt low enough (and still do) without reading about nore things that made me feel low or helpless to do nothing.

BUT I have gone down another dress size! I really do believe that different diets suit different people, and low carbs suits me very well. I have been living on spaghetti squash for months and months, as a base for mixed roasted veg and some form of protein on top. Occasionally I will use spiralised veg as a base instead and we have soup for lunch most days now it is cooler, I just miss out the bread. Fresh fruit for dessert.

However, I have started to make apple fritters with gf flour. Very high on apples, very low on flour. I can make a big batch and we can heat them up - DBH has them for breakfast sometimes. They are lovely with greek yoghourt.

I even used spaghetti squash as a flan base the other week, after having well and truly roasted and drained a giant one. It was really quite good and kept its shape when I sliced it. I have to say I am sick to death of the stuff and wish we hadn't had such a good summer over this way, and that I hadn't planted something like eight plants, but at least this summer has been cheap! Apart from having to buy new clothes...

Good to hear from you stillhere and hope DH is on the road to recovery.
We have a lot of squash too, but we haven't really started on them yet - I want to recreate something I had in Cahors in the summer, a whole piece from the bottom of a squash which seemed to have been part roasted part casserole. I think I will try starting it off in butter, then adding stock.
Our vegetable of the summer has been a sort of firmer courgette, tromba d'albenga and also serpente de sicilia. We have had dauphinoise, gratin, courgetti etc.
Good news on the weight loss too!
Hope you and Anya will be here now - we miss you!

I'm beginning to think DBH will never recover - if he doesn't we will have to sell up, which means that I will lose my garden and all the veg I grow! His tastebuds have changed due to the meds he is on, and he is desperate for veg. I made pork in cider tonight, and he picked out all the apple, carrots and French beans and left the meat! That's not unusual, he used to be such a carnivore. Veg is so expensive to buy, heaven knows how we would manage as now neither of us eat much bread at all, or pasta.

Firmer courgettes sound good. I would love to find something that is as firm as butternut squash, as the summer is almost over before I can get any to ripen. Hokkaido squash is pretty good, but still not the same. At least it gives colour.

How hard that must be stillhere. for you.
OH grows the tromba and sepente from Franchi seeds. Well worth a look.

Here
www.seedsofitaly.com

Has anyone experienced hair loss with the LCHF diet.?For the past few weeks I have noticed a lot more hair than usual on my hairbrush. Diet Doctor does explain it and says it is temporary. But is it?

Yes, I have, BB! Have been LCHF for about 6 months, and 6 weeks ago noticed rather a lot of hair in the basin after washing it. Also more hair than usual coming out when brushing it. It seems to have settled down now, so seems just a temporary blip, and I've also read that it can be a known side-effect of going low-carb, so I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

Thanks Nan that has cheered me up.

Where is everyone when you need advice ?

Sorry BB.
I didn't post because I hadn't heard of it before and didn't have any advice to give. Is it still as bad?

Sorry BB I've not had much time to log on recently.

But I've done a bit of reassert for you. It seems that sbout 10% of those on LC diet experience this to some extent. It's also associated with weight loss and you have had spectacular results.

One suggestion is that it is lack of iron. While you may be eating enough iron rich foods they may not be absorbed unless you have sufficent Vit C in your diet. So I'd suggest you add few Vit C foods to your main meal - perhaps tomatoes or a piece of fruit. While it will up your carbs it will also help absorb iron.

Another reason might be lack of some B vitamins.

Or yet another that the rats of natural shedding of hair has speeded up and therefore you've lost a lot all at once.

I take a multivitamin in the shape of half a Berocca tablet in water with my lunch. That might work for you?

This should read 'research for you'.

Rate not rats!

PS you know you shouldn't drink tea with meals as this can inhibit the absorption of nutrients like iron?

I would like to join the support group!
I have been type 2 diabetic for 7 years and have gradually lost 2 stone since then and am now in "healthy " BMI range but would like to lose a little more or at least not regain any!