Low Carb Challenged
melodyy1968
Posts: 3 Member
Hi, Melody here. 40 Something F. Ballooned up to 335lbs and only 5'7" and now preDiabetic if not diabetic and was told that I need to start by exercise.. (wow that was a shock -not really being sarcastic) and watching my carbohydrate intake. Which sounds like a walk in the park till I realized almost everything I love is loaded with carbohydrates. Yes I have a love affair with pasta, bread, and everything carbohydrate laden <sigh> Is there anything out there that I can make at home that does not taste like carboard or have weird chemical replacements that I have to search the internet to find that cost a arm and a leg?
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Try zucchini noodles to replace pasta. They obviously aren't the real thing, but you will cut down drastically on your carb count.3
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Hello!
As a fellow prediabetic (who eventually became a T2D) I can tell you that Low Carb eating is the BEST way to manage your blood sugars. I started this woe in May and have lost 20 lbs and 5 inches off my waist. I did not do any exercise when i first started but now have found my inner athlete lol. And I am not the only one! LCHF really helps!
You have a carb addiction, so will need to detox. It is not easy to leave food we think we love but keep in mind that it does not love us back! That's why we get sick with diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. I was in denial about what carbs where doing to my body for a long time. I had to wake up and face the facts, diabetes will maim or kill you if you do not stop it in its tracks.
The great thing about LCHF is that you can eat good food, good TASTY food and not feel deprived! There is science backing this way of eating!. I recommend reading up on what exactly a low carb high fat way of eating is before trying to attempt it willy nilly.
Since Im still a newbie at this, I don't have much advice to offer other than, YOU CAN DO THIS! And this is wonderful group, with a knowledge and kindness.
Welcome!7 -
At first you'll probably think the replacement ideas suck and the food tastes funny. That's only because you're used to what you eat now. I just posted in a separate thread that I made cauliflower mashed potatoes last night and made regular mashed potatoes for my family. That's the first time I've done it because I have a mad-woman addiction to all kinds of potatoes. I was surprised that it didn't bother me and I didn't miss the potatoes at all. I've been low-carb since last November and it took me this long to get on board with cauliflower. The zoodles are good. To be perfectly honest, this change didn't phase me. Once you put the sauce on the zoodles and add meatballs - it's barely noticeable to me. Pasta doesn't taste like anything in particular, neither does cooked zucchini noodles. I also roast length-wise sliced zucchini and use it as lasagna noodles. Delicious. My whole family will eat it. Other favorites - taco salads instead of tacos, bunless burgers are better than those with buns because you can taste everything so much better. Buns make me gag now - although I do love the bread they give you before dinner at restaurants. Anyway - the point is, you can make just about anything without weird fillers...even pizza (this one still hasn't solidified with me, but I'm getting there). I find most of my meals highly enjoyable. I will buy some wraps occasionally if I really want a burrito or sandwich wrap. They're fairly low carb. Everyone finds different ways to manage it. Some people are very low carb and don't eat any of the wraps and little veggies, some are middle of the road, and some are "slow carb" - I'm somewhere between middle and slow carb I think. Either way, it's an excellent life change and I think you'll really see some changes quickly at the onset. Just hang in there and expect the first week or two to be difficult and somewhat frustrating. When you make it past that and find a good groove, you'll get better and better at knowing what to eat and what you like Oh and Pinterest is a fabulous source - or just google "low carb chicken recipe" "Keto cup cakes" - things like that to get ideas. Good luck! 5
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Everthing samatha...genmom... Dena Beena.. said! Excellent ways to start. You can do it. one meal at a time.3
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Generally speaking, I tend to avoid trying to do "replacements" of stuff. The vast majority of the time, it's just disappointing, because you expect to be a certain way and it's just not. Sorry, but nothing really compares to the sticky-stretchy-fluffy properties that wheat flour gives to the foods made with it, especially when adding low carb on top of it. It's just the way it is. Thanks, chemistry. Instead, I generally just go the meat and vegetables route. Pretty much if it lived above ground, it's fair game. Omitting the bread and buns and doing salads or lettuce wraps is really easy, and even most restaurants have something like it as a default option these days.
However, there are some foods that, if you can go in not expecting a like-for-like replacement and expect to enjoy it for what it is, make great substitutions for certain things. Here are some of the foods that I've found that are my new go-to low carb friendly foods:
1. High quality cacao butter This is a new one, but it was a fast favorite. Pick up the best quality you can get your hands on (I got raw, organic), and you get all of the chocolately, creamy goodness and none of the sugar or bitterness from even the darkest chocolates out there. Blend it into coffee for an awesome mocha (I've actually been making rocket fuel lattes for the past several days, and they're fantastic), or into a milk for the creamiest hot chocolate ever. Or just let a piece of it melt in your mouth. :drool:
2. Spaghetti squash As the name implies, this is a fantastic spaghetti substitute, and like wheat spaghetti, you can't really mess it up. Steam, microwave, or bake the squash, cut up or whole, and you'll get great little strands that are fantastic carriers for meat or cheese sauces. One of my favorite dishes to make is this cheesy spaghetti squash cassarole that's just to die for and is a fantastic wintertime comfort food.
3. Fathead pizza crust I almost feel obligated to include this one, because I've actually found it to be a pain, but I know so many people who rave about it. You can look up the exact recipe, but it's basically just cheese, cream cheese, and a bit of almond flour spread out and baked, then layered with your choice of low carb friendly pizza toppings. Personally, I just toss a bit of sauce and some pepperonis in a bowl of shredded cheese and microwave it, but if you want "actual" pizza, this crust is worth a try.
4. Egg crepes The filling of the recipe I found is too sweet for my taste (especially since non-sugar sweeteners tend to taste weird to me and sometimes react badly), but the crepe part of this recipe is awesome. I just eat them straight, like pancakes.
5. Cauliflower Rice it, smash it, or just eat the florets whole. Cauliflower is quite versatile. I find mashing it sets the "mashed potatoes" expectation, but adding cheese sauce to either riced or whole florets is awesome. I could literally eat one of those "serves 4!" bags of cauliflower (or broccoli), especially with butter and cheese on it, but maybe I'm just weird, I don't know.4 -
I just had taco's wrapped in salad leaves. Yummy. I also wrap my burgers in salad and my burritos too. Did I mention I also mention I make salad wrapped sandwiches? Sometimes I enjoy eating "normal" food and to be able to pick it up and eat with my hands.
Zucchini noodles are great. I sometimes make my own noodle soup with them, with a nice broth, meat, zucchini noodles etc
Omelettes
Hunters Chicken
Aspargus wrapped in parmaham
Enchiladas-I use big fat leeks as the pasta, separate out the "leek tubes" fill them and sprinkle cheese on top and put them into the oven.
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I'm a former pre-diabetic. Keto for 6 months totally fixed my A1C, and it's been in good standing even with a higher carb count (still low carb - under 100g a day most of the time).
Google "Keto" anything, and you'll find lots of yummies. There are low carb pasta replacements, too!
Cauliflower mac is actually really delicious and hit the spot for me. You can also make your own pasta out of lots of different things - like white beans, chick peas, etc. Definitely lower carb than wheat flour, if you're into jazzing things up in the kitchen.
I also took a liking to "pasta zero"- they're shirataki noodles. The texture is a little odd, but they have absolutely no flavor and are a great canvas for most sauces.3 -
I know it sounds cliché but if you give it around 2 weeks you honestly will more than likely lose your carb cravings. When you feel like eating carbs eat something high fat instead. Also read the stuff in the launch pad at the top of the group. Very useful info about starting out and electrolytes and all that. It will make the transition easier for you.3
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I know it sounds cliché but if you give it around 2 weeks you honestly will more than likely lose your carb cravings. When you feel like eating carbs eat something high fat instead. Also read the stuff in the launch pad at the top of the group. Very useful info about starting out and electrolytes and all that. It will make the transition easier for you.
This is my sentiment exactly. I stopped craving all of those things I searched the house for when I wanted to eat pre Keto.3 -
I know it sounds cliché but if you give it around 2 weeks you honestly will more than likely lose your carb cravings. When you feel like eating carbs eat something high fat instead. Also read the stuff in the launch pad at the top of the group. Very useful info about starting out and electrolytes and all that. It will make the transition easier for you.
Yes!
Former, hard core sugar addict here. Go cold turkey and really break up with those foods. You love them but they don't love you!
Replacements never satisfy and often come with at least a little of their own problems. Speaking of all the stuff made from expensive flours. They still have carbs, fiber or not.
I use zucchini noodles for anything and everything that might I might need to put a sauce on.
Seriously, if you can white knuckle it a couple weeks, you'll be smooth sailing.
Indulge in the foods you CAN have.
Don't focus on what you can't eat. Really dig in to what you can!
Don't worry about counting calories while you're getting used to things. That'll only make it harder.
I personally wouldn't start exercise yet if it were me. One challenge at a time.
Break up with poisonous foods and focus on the great stuff you can eat and enjoy it. Make the transition about indulging in real food made with real butter and cream and cheese! What's not to love about that?!3 -
You will find other foods to love if you look. Pork belly; spiralized butternut squash cooked with bacon and cream do it for me. That meal only has three ingredients or four if you add parmesan cheese and costs less than $2 for a meal. Other simple things like good quality coffee, blueberries and double cream. Oh yes and even exercise
. You can learn to love new things and grow new pleasure receptors in your brain. You don't have to forego pleasure, just find new ways to get your fix. 1 -
When I get noodle cravings I eat edamame noodles from Costco. I like spaghetti squash too. I just eat it with oil, salt and pepper.0
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Cheese, butter, meat of all kinds. Yum!
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Take a look at this thread: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10274397/what-does-your-low-carb-meals-look-like/p1
If that doesn't whet your appetite for some low-carb awesomeness, I don't know what will. 1
