In need of low carb help.....

I am seeing a holistic doctor that has placed me on a low carb diet (72grams per day). I know nothing about low carb...I have a book I am looking carb count up in. My problem...I don't know what to eat but meats, cheeses and greens. I have had eggs in some form every day for 3 weeks because I am suppose to have a NO carb breakfast. I am sick of eggs at this point. I thought I ate healthy before this. Made sure I had 2 fruits a day...very little bread of any kind... low sugar but I did have some. I know I need variety...what are your suggestions for balanced and healthy low carb eating. Thanks in advance !
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Replies

  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Is it low carb or no carb? And why is he saying to eat that way? Personally I'd see a real doctor because this advice sounds like garbage.
  • 2youngatheart
    2youngatheart Posts: 338 Member
    Is it low carb or no carb? And why is he saying to eat that way? Personally I'd see a real doctor because this advice sounds like garbage.

    I have had my fill of regular doctor...just says "live" with it ( diarrhea). This doctor is trying to help my body heal itself. It us an 18 week program....willing to try it to see if I get help. I just need help with what to eat. Breakfast is the only no carb meal.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Is it low carb or no carb? And why is he saying to eat that way? Personally I'd see a real doctor because this advice sounds like garbage.

    I have had my fill of regular doctor...just says "live" with it ( diarrhea). This doctor is trying to help my body heal itself. It us an 18 week program....willing to try it to see if I get help. I just need help with what to eat. Breakfast is the only no carb meal.

    I'd still go see another doctor, not your old one, and have them check you for IBS, Crohn's disease, or celiac disease.
  • 2youngatheart
    2youngatheart Posts: 338 Member
    1. I have been checked for everything....nothing shows. I have been tested off an on by 3 doctors over a 4 year period....I just want my life back. They all say just take Imodium . That would be great if it worked. This is really my last hope ....or I feel that way..... it controls my life.
  • jfeakins
    jfeakins Posts: 30 Member
    For low-carb advice/recipes I really love the south beach diet book.

    You could be gluten intolerant (not allergic/celiac)- there's no way to test for it other than to just avoid it and see if you feel better. My little sister had some stomach issues - I'll spare the details- and since she's started to avoid gluten, she feels 100% better.

    I'm no doctor, and I'm sure you've tried this- but try to see what exactly triggers it and avoid that! Unless it seems to be everything... good luck!!
  • RoseyDgirl
    RoseyDgirl Posts: 306 Member
    There are ways to desguise eggs when you get sick of them ... I make little mini quiches with cupcake tins. You put some cooked meat, veggies in the bottom, and then pour over it some eggs that are scrambled together with high-fat cottage cheese (4%) - less carbs in it. Sprinkle some cheddar or other cheese on top and bake them.

    Two or 3 of them for a breakfast are a good way to start the day with little work involved (since they can be heated quickly in a microwave instead of every day being a process of cooking and cleaning up after).

    Question being, how are you reacting to dairy products? has your explosive symptoms reduced with the low carb diet?
  • RoseyDgirl
    RoseyDgirl Posts: 306 Member
    once a week I make grain-free pancakes (plenty of recipes online - some more 'bread' seeming than others dependent on the addition of non-grain flours, baking soda, etc) A non-breadlike version would be mashed ripe banana, egg, a spoonful of almond butter - stirred together and fried up. tasty - with most carbs coming from the banana.

    Keep playing with recipes - and experiment.

    I made a grain-free chocolate cake last night (low cal, low sugar, very chocolaty) - which came out to 171 cal, 13 carb, 5 sugar - per serving. Can't wait to have my first slice tonight to see if it will taste as good as it smelled while baking.

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    I am seeing a holistic doctor

    LOL

  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,018 Member
    Check out the Low carb groups. They usually have good suggestions as well.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-group

  • allieallieoxenfree
    allieallieoxenfree Posts: 114 Member
    There's not a lot that has NO carbs. For breakfast I usually have a smoothie of greek yogurt, protein powder, and peanut butter, but even that has like 20 g carbs. I find it much easier to eat very low carbs for other meals, when I'm more in the mood for salads or just lean protein and steamed veggies.
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    Turkey sausage, lean fried ham or bacon are all no- or very-low carb, and most folks like them for breakfast.

    I keep a stock of pre-made salmon patties (skinnytaste recipe) that I often eat for breakfast. That recipe does have carbs, but there are probably variations that don't. I also get a ton of my protein intake from greek yogurt...it has an extremely high protein per calorie ratio, but it isn't carb-free.
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,018 Member
    I am seeing a holistic doctor

    LOL

    Could we please at least TRY for a few more minutes to keep this civilized?
  • Dawmelvan
    Dawmelvan Posts: 133 Member
    Almonds and an apple with cinnamon.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    I don't see the connection between low carb and diarrhea....

    what evidence did this holistic dr provide that you need to go low carb to cure it????? Maybe you see someone who specializes in stomach disorders...gastroenologist (sp)??
  • RoseyDgirl
    RoseyDgirl Posts: 306 Member
    baconslave, I love your new profile picture. That steak is perfectly cooked. It looks so much better than my Roasted veggie soup had been... I'm suddenly craving steak (again)...

    OP, since you've been on this new regimen for 3 weeks, you will be able to tell us how you are responding to the change in macro levels better than just hearing ney-sayers commentary. "So how are you doing?"
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,018 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    I don't see the connection between low carb and diarrhea....

    what evidence did this holistic dr provide that you need to go low carb to cure it????? Maybe you see someone who specializes in stomach disorders...gastroenologist (sp)??

    I have to agree.
    Though it's possible that the dr is trying to see if you are gluten sensitive by eliminating it. That's really the only way to tell. A period of elimination of the food from the diet. Conversely, it could be something else altogether. I think someone mentioned lactose intolerance. My oldest son developed lactose intolerance after an illness. His pediatrician was useless in diagnosing what was wrong. Only until we did various food eliminations did we finally isolate the culprit.

    I don't see the harm in doing a low-carb diet without gluten for a few weeks. If it doesn't help though, I might try a gastroenterologist.
  • RoseyDgirl
    RoseyDgirl Posts: 306 Member
    Dawmelvan, have you tried slicing the apple, coating it in cinnamon and sauteeing it in butter? SO yummy. :) No added sugar required.
  • rayneface
    rayneface Posts: 219 Member
    have you tried monitoring your diet to see when you experience the worst episodes?

    Perhaps it is something you are eating on a fairly regular basis that is upsetting your stomach that you might not suspect.

    I found, after some painful "research" that I cannot eat most common greens (like romaine, other lettuces, mixed greens, etc) Turns out though that spinach, kale and chard don't negatively affect me.

    I found Imodium did zero to help me, my doctor recommend Metamucil - it is also used for bulking she said and sure enough it worked wonders in comparison.

  • have you tried an elimination diet? it seems really strange to me that your doctor would tell you to cut down your carbs and not cut out specific kinds of foods. eggs can be very problematic in terms of allergies, for instance. my friend has a ton of issues with food, not detectable "allergies" but intolerances. she did an elimination diet, and then was able to pinpoint the exact things that gave her problems. a lot of foods that are high in carbs are not traditionally allergens. i have another friend who has very detectable food allergies (can't eat wheat, corn, or rice) which could seem like low carb, but she is not allergic to fruits or potatoes and other carb rich foods. i would really recommend finding a nutritionist who would begin with an elimination diet if you haven't already. This is what an elimination diet looks like and how foods are reintroduced, just as an idea, you should still go to a naturopath: http://www.precisionnutrition.com/elimination-diet
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  • rprussell2004
    rprussell2004 Posts: 870 Member
    OP, check http://www.cavemanketo.com for some spectacular recipes.

    Leafy greens are your friend, so is (generally speaking) most squash. Avocado.

    There are options, but it does help to look at a "what's allowed" list, as opposed to "what's NOT allowed."
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,018 Member
    RoseyDgirl wrote: »
    baconslave, I love your new profile picture. That steak is perfectly cooked. It looks so much better than my Roasted veggie soup had been... I'm suddenly craving steak (again)...

    Doesn't it look heavenly? :heart_eyes: :
  • BlackTimber
    BlackTimber Posts: 230 Member
    I'm ok with seeing a holistic doctor. So much of our medical system is based on treating symptoms that many times they do more harm than good. Do you know what they call the medical student that finished at the bottom of his class? They call him "doctor".

    How is the diet set up? Is there a target balance between the fat and protein?
  • 2youngatheart
    2youngatheart Posts: 338 Member
    I have been to a gas to Dr....I had a hole open in my diaphragm 4 yrs ago and my stomach flipped up beside my heart and had to be put back in place...they "patched" the hole...but have had issues ever since. This diet has helped....but was doing OK right before I started this diet. He says it is a way of healing the body. I never believed in holistic drs before... but have seen the difference he has made in two of my friends life and health. I believe given the right foods the body can heal itself. I eat as close to natural as possible. I just needed ideas for variety. You always have some "smarties" in the blogs...comes with the territory. When you have been sickso long that it edpffects your life...you do what might wwork..if not you move on. I am committed for 18 weeks...that's it. Just want to feel well. Main stream drs and thousands of dollars have left me no where...besides meds and tests. Thanks for all your helpful suggestions...I will look at the sites.
  • 2youngatheart
    2youngatheart Posts: 338 Member
    I'm ok with seeing a holistic doctor. So much of our medical system is based on treating symptoms that many times they do more harm than good. Do you know what they call the medical student that finished at the bottom of his class? They call him "doctor".

    How is the diet set up? Is there a target balance between the fat and protein?

    The diet at this moment is set up for me to eat 72 grams of carbs...no sugar..wheat..high carb veggies etc. wheat has been a very sparce part of my diet...I do miss my oatmeal..with chia seeds and fruit. High carb fruits are out :( that about sums it up
  • 2youngatheart
    2youngatheart Posts: 338 Member
    Oh...and this is through a nutrition center.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    Is it low carb or no carb? And why is he saying to eat that way? Personally I'd see a real doctor because this advice sounds like garbage.

    the OP said 72 g of carbs. That isn't even that low. Why is advice to do 72 g of carbs garbage?
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    if your doctor gave you instructions to do something you know nothing about, reading a book about it is a great start and Im sure he can make a suggestion -or call a nutritionist.
  • 2youngatheart
    2youngatheart Posts: 338 Member
    Dave198lbs wrote: »
    Is it low carb or no carb? And why is he saying to eat that way? Personally I'd see a real doctor because this advice sounds like garbage.

    the OP said 72 g of carbs. That isn't even that low. Why is advice to do 72 g of carbs garbage?

    Its like eating an apple and a small potato...72 grams gone. I have seen the " real doctors" ... tired of their "I don't know..try this...take this med see if it helps" had enough...and its a low carb diet.
  • rprussell2004
    rprussell2004 Posts: 870 Member
    FWIW I've been lowcarb for over a year now, and every time I have anything with wheat in it, I get the runs something fierce.

    I've learned the hard (and messy) way to just avoid the stuff. "Treating" myself never turns out to be a treat.