Low carb but if it fits, I eat it.

PamWOhio

Hi Everyone. I have gotten such wonderful help from people here and reading through all the threads has been an enormous help but I want to make sure I am not screwing up.

I happen to be one of those people who don't like a lot of veggies. I can count on 1 hand how many I like and nothing leafy or stalky is on my short list.

I have my carbs set at 15% which is 45 grams. I use that as a max and usually come in between 15 and 35. I plan it so I can have a ham sandwich on my 8 carb a slice bread because there is also 5 grams of fiber in 2 slices so I can work with it. If I am in the single digits on carbs, sometimes I even squeeze in a small baked potato with dinner because they are so very filling for me and I love them.

Do any of you do this or are you super strict where you allow no breads, pasta or potatoes?

I just want to make sure I am not doing something wrong with the low carb lifestyle. I just assumed if I can fit it in my limit and I have no adverse icky feelings from eating it that it is ok.

Thanks in advance for any input you might have. I have only been on MFP for 72 days so am still learning but BOY do some of the Facebook LCHF groups get nasty. 1 says don't add extra fat and concentrate on protein and the other one tells people to add fat to everything so I am kind of confused as to which is the best way to go for fat loss. Of course my instinct says try and stay on the lower end of fat but my brain is mush from all the reading I am doing....lol

sammyliftsandeats

This is going to be an individual thing.

Some people are gluten-free, so they cannot have bread or pasta.

Some people hate veggies and spend their carbs on bread, etc.

If you are not insulin-resistant or diabetic, you can spend your carb limit on sugar. If it fits, you eat it.

Sometimes I work a fun-sized candy bar into my carbs.

DietPrada

Everyone's different. For me low carb - or Keto - means no bread, pasta, potatoes, rice or sugar in any form. Over a few years of eating this way I've found that "low carb" bread etc just doesn't work for me. Don't be afraid of fat, I have about 75% fat in my diet and it seems to work. One thing I noticed was too much protein = no weight loss. If I stick to about 80g I'm fine, anything over 100g and I don't lose (even same amount of calories).

I left all of those facebook groups. Too many idiots.

Cadori

I don't eat bread, rice, pasta, oats, corn, beans, most fruit or starchy veggies for now. I'll add more slow carbs back in as I get nearer to goal weight.

But if what you're doing works for you, keep at it until it doesn't. Then reassess.

PamWOhio

Thank you very much, Samantha. I have sugar free mini hershey bars here for a quick chocolate fix. It is so yummy now and again but I don't make a habit out of it. I cut out all soda except I found Coke Zero so am drinking some of that now and I actually managed to squeeze in a HALF of a Hostess cupcake the other day...hahahahaa

PamWOhio

I am trying SO hard not to be afraid of fat. We had it drilled in our heads for years that it was bad and my brain automatically keeps sending me back to if we are putting all the extra fat in our bodies, won't our bodies burn that fat instead of our stored fat? That is my only hangup about it and I have always been afraid to ask because I would look like an idiot.

sammyliftsandeats

PamWOhio wrote: »

Thank you very much, Samantha. I have sugar free mini hershey bars here for a quick chocolate fix. It is so yummy now and again but I don't make a habit out of it. I cut out all soda except I found Coke Zero so am drinking some of that now and I actually managed to squeeze in a HALF of a Hostess cupcake the other day...hahahahaa

Yeah, there are people who cannot do this because it sets of cravings or may cause internal problems and I TOTALLY understand that.

But if it doesn't cause you any issues and it fits your daily goals, then I say...go ahead.

I make wine fit my daily goals often

RowdysLady

PamWOhio wrote: »

Hi Everyone. I have gotten such wonderful help from people here and reading through all the threads has been an enormous help but I want to make sure I am not screwing up.

I happen to be one of those people who don't like a lot of veggies. I can count on 1 hand how many I like and nothing leafy or stalky is on my short list.

I have my carbs set at 15% which is 45 grams. I use that as a max and usually come in between 15 and 35. I plan it so I can have a ham sandwich on my 8 carb a slice bread because there is also 5 grams of fiber in 2 slices so I can work with it. If I am in the single digits on carbs, sometimes I even squeeze in a small baked potato with dinner because they are so very filling for me and I love them.

Do any of you do this or are you super strict where you allow no breads, pasta or potatoes?

I just want to make sure I am not doing something wrong with the low carb lifestyle. I just assumed if I can fit it in my limit and I have no adverse icky feelings from eating it that it is ok.

Thanks in advance for any input you might have. I have only been on MFP for 72 days so am still learning but BOY do some of the Facebook LCHF groups get nasty. 1 says don't add extra fat and concentrate on protein and the other one tells people to add fat to everything so I am kind of confused as to which is the best way to go for fat loss. Of course my instinct says try and stay on the lower end of fat but my brain is mush from all the reading I am doing....lol

I spent a little time checking those out but I left and never looked back. First they are often uninformed, second, exactly as you said...nasty.

You do NOT have to add fat if you are not hungry and feel satisfied. The "extra" fat is for filling us up when we feel hunger. If you are not hungry don't eat it. If you are hungry, add it has been my game plan. I've lost almost 50 lbs since going Keto in April. If you are having a chicken breast, no skin for dinner and feel really hungry add a sauce or butter to it. But if you are eating a well marbled steak, you probably won't need the extra fat.

How we set our macros and what "fits" is very individualized and I agree with @samanthaluangphixay - if it fits...

Having said that, I have learned that even things that fit, may taste terrible these days or make me feel icky. A cake or cookie with 15 carbs just isn't good for me any longer even though I could often make something like that fit many days.

KnitOrMiss

@PamWOhio - Just to make sure you aren't inadvertently damaging your body in any way, I'd go to the doctor for a full work up. You may have nutritional deficiencies you need to treat or health conditions you need to address. Many of us who have gotten into a rut that got us here in the first place find that as we're "washing the mud off the car we haven't washed in 5, 10, 20 years" we're finally "seeing the damage we did underneath."

Overall, I would say that if you have no negative reactions, then do what you will, but I find that any time I'm intentionally working something more than 2-3 bites of a food (such as a snack size mini like you mentioned) into my plan more than once a month, to me, that tends to point to something I'm missing or an addictive-food type tendency that I've yet to address. I know that is how it fits ME, anyway.

That being said, if you don't know for certain that you don't have blood sugar issues, there might be more impact to including these foods. I just want to say that I do not judge anyone at all who is able metabolically to include more "treats" along the way - I just hope everyone does the testing before or during to see the more "hidden" impact of their foods choices - before it gets away from them...

HUGS and best of luck on your continued journey!

PamWOhio

The strangest thing happened to me with one of my favorite cheeses. We always get Land O Lakes American Cheese from the deli. I have always loved it but the last couple times I have had it on a sandwich or burger, it tasted horrible and I have no clue why.

Catawampous

I've been on this a couple of weeks. The things I thought I'd miss .. like bread and potatoes, oddly, I don't. I can walk right by them. Don't get me wrong, I still love them! But I don't have to have them. The one thing that I do TOTALLY miss is fruit. So yes, if I have room, I have some. I had 60 grams of blueberries with heavy cream the other night and it fit beautifully into my day. It's not every day mind you. It's been the only time since starting and I'm good with that

PamWOhio

It is the same here. I don't have my wheat bread or a potato every day. I am now average 1 small potato a week and 1 sandwich for lunch a week and never on the same day although when I was ok with 50 grams a day, I would do both the same day. I don't crave carbs more from having them and I don't have any medical issues for keeping my carbs low. It is just something I wanted to try to see if it works for me.

Bonny132

Personally I am gluten free and don't like most specifically made GF foods, so I don't really eat bread or pasta. I rarely touch potatoes or rice.

I eat very low carb 6 days of the week and allow myself to relax a bit on day 7. That suits me and my lifestyle. Stops most of my cravings as nothing is off limit unless it contains gluten of course.

I have noticed that my taste buds have changed immensely though. A lot of sweet foods tastes far too sweet now. Even vegetables tastes differently to me than they did before. My eating habits have totally changed.

PamWOhio wrote: »

The strangest thing happened to me with one of my favorite cheeses. We always get Land O Lakes American Cheese from the deli. I have always loved it but the last couple times I have had it on a sandwich or burger, it tasted horrible and I have no clue why.

tribal351

I can't do that. I know if I cheat just a bit, or reward myself with something that shouldn't be in my diet regardless of fitting in my macros, it will turn in to a cheat week. Then month.
For the record, I hate veggies too. I just know that in order to succeed, I can't cheat; ever.

Sunny_Bunny_

If you're low carb simply for weight loss without underlying metabolic disorder or other therapeutic reason for it, then you really have no rules to follow besides your own.

With that said, I would just be aware of your nutritional value in some things you're choosing. If you're counting calories, those few carbs from the bread might not be an issue, but hopefully the calories they claim don't take away from you eating something with nutrients to offer. That's the only thing I would consider really. I would wrap the sandwich in a romaine leaf and add avocado instead. Tons of vitamins as compared to the bread. I do support everyone finding their own way. Just something to keep in mind. I actually don't really eat vegetables either. I haven't had an avocado in months and I love them! I just don't digest veggies well, so I eat almost none. I don't eat other carbs, I just eat even fewer carbs due to lack of veggies. But, because I don't get those nutrients, I am careful to eat plenty of rare beef and not to over cook any meats to make sure to retain as much nutrition as possible.
As far as how much fat or protein... again, it's really only going to matter for those with metabolic issues. If protein is what you like, eat it. If you love butter, slather it on if you want. Many people seem to think that the eating of fat is what makes low carb work. It's just the NOT eating carbs. You don't want to eat any fake fats, you want them to be natural from animals, avocado, coconut, olive and such... and you don't want to try cutting fat by using low fat products at all, but other than that, it's meant to represent enough of your meal that keeps you satisfied until the next meal. If you're getting hungry between meals, that's a big clue there isn't enough fat or maybe not enough protein. And in some cases, that the higher carbs are creating hunger from blood sugar dropping or just carb cravings that feel like hunger.
The only other thing I would say is that while you might be able to have half a cupcake every now and then, just be sensitive to the fact that most low carbers, here anyway, are doing it to treat metabolic disorders and even binge eating and that could be hard to hear. You know what I mean? I just wouldn't flaunt it so to speak. I don't mean that I think you did, I didn't get that at all. Just thought it might be good to note it in general. That could be why some other groups get all crazy when people say they eat off plan foods sometimes. You won't find that here, but usually if someone says they ate even half a cupcake, it's followed by a binge or a fight to not binge or just feeling bad in general. There's a fine line between supporting someone's struggle getting back on the wagon and it being widely accepted to eat half cupcakes and call it a low carb diet. Being someone that identifies as a sugar addict, I had to be extremely strict in order to get past that. I even had to cut out artificial sweeteners because of the tendency to overeat.

It's kinda like talking about alcohol at an AA meeting...

PamWOhio

I completely understand, Sunny_Bunny. I am actually a recovering addict. I was addicted to opiate pain pills for over a decade. I cleaned up 7 years ago. I have an extremely addictive personality but the food thing doesn't seem to be a problem. Yes, before I started my journey, all I ate was junk.... Processed, frozen, fast food...you name it. I don't have an overwhelming sweet tooth. I never have. Usually just a small bite or two is enough to satiate any craving I might get on occasion. Salt was more of a demon for me but not having a problem with that either. I eat lunch and dinner and rarely an evening snack of a cheese stick. I LOVE meat so that is a good thing. When I do have the bread it is a 35 calorie a slice whole wheat bread that is 8 grams of carbs a slice and 2.5 grams of fiber per slice. I haven't had a sandwich in a couple weeks. At first I had a couple a week but have been enjoying all the beef, chicken, pork and fish that I just haven't thought of it. On occasion, I will toast 1 piece and put some of my cream cheese with chives on it for a piece of toast with my breakfast but I haven't even been doing that lately which is weird because I really love it. I cut out all my sugared drinks...even the soda stream which was kind of half and half as far as diet/regular pop goes but I hated wasting carbs so started making carbonated water and adding orange water enhancer which tastes exactly like Orange Crush so it is nice. I did recently discover Coke Zero and Cherry Coke Zero. They either don't taste like diet to me or I got used to the Soda Stream Cola so I don't notice it as much. I am limiting those but have them here if I want my cola. Again, I don't feel the need so much anymore. I am not used to the changes and very surprised by them. I will be careful about what I talk about but I figured the forums here were for talking and asking questions so I didn't know if would cause others any problems. I will try and be more mindful of what I talk about in the future. Thank you so much for your input.

kpk54

I didn't find your mention of a half of a cupcake, a piece of bread or a potato any more enticing than I find the talk and pics of mug cakes and oopsie bread enticing. We've had threads on "low carb bread" and many of those may not be as low carb as the bread you mentioned. Or as tasty.

What sort of bread are you eating that has 8 carbs per slice with 5 net per 2? I might want to get some. I could fit that into my lifestyle/macros better than low carb ice cream which is talked about here frequently. I never binged on bread.

PamWOhio

kpk54. It is 16 carbs for 2 slices and 5 fiber so 11 net carbs for 2 slices. It is Healthy Life Whole Wheat/Whole Grain. They also have it in White as well but I prefer the Wheat.

PamWOhio

OHHHH...I DO want to try the Halo Top Ice Cream. I heard it was really good but I am not a big Ice Cream person unless, of course, it is Mint Chocolate Chip....lol

Sunny_Bunny_

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come off the way I did. What you said was totally fine. Just the fact that people in other online places are known to get jumpy like was mentioned got me thinking that their reason could be due to mention of the off plan foods being fit in.... usually when I've heard about those kinds of reactions, it seems associated with people asking questions about these foods. So just got me thinking that it could set some people up with the wrong ideas if it's just commonly accepted as a typical thing most people just do.
Anyway, I will always advocate doing what works best for each of us. Even when that includes real sugar sweets on planned occasion.

PamWOhio

It is totally fine Sunny_Bunny. You didn't say anything wrong. It's all good.

kpk54

PamWOhio wrote: »

kpk54. It is 16 carbs for 2 slices and 5 fiber so 11 net carbs for 2 slices. It is Healthy Life Whole Wheat/Whole Grain. They also have it in White as well but I prefer the Wheat.

Thank you.

AlabasterVerve

For me it doesn't seem to matter what the source of the carbs are, the only thing that matters is the amount. So nothing is off the table for me if it fits but my personal preference is to eat small amounts of higher carb whole foods - beans, starchy vegetables, fruits and those sorts of things. I save sweets and the like for special occasions and don't work them into my normal diet even though I could.

PamWOhio

I am the same way, AlabasterVerve. I would much rather have a baked potato than a dessert.

Bonny132

What types of carbs I eat has a massive effect on me. Rice/noodles/cakes is out, it causes me carb cravings like mad. Crisps... (potato chips) I cannot stop myself eating those, I'll eat till it's all gone.

On my higher carb day I'll allow myself a small amount of ice cream, maybe a roast potato, a take away, half a bagel, poppadoms, a slice of birthday cake etc But one of the above, not all.

For me it allows my cravings to be kept in check. Most days I am under 20 carbs. My slightly higher day is more mental than anything else, because I know I can have it, I do not obsess about it, and on the day I have it, my portion sizes are shrinking as we speak. I naturally am reducing the carbs on my off day, as things are getting too sweet, too much. I rather have a few bites and enjoy them than the whole lot, if you know what I mean. This has been a journey for me.

xosummerrainxo

Agreed Bonny. I find a few bites is perfectly satisfied when does it start the craving and addictions to finish all of what I'm eating. A few bites is enough like you said mentally to know I can have it but don't need to have it. And so many things I don't want anymore that I wanted before and don't even taste good anymore. Such as Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Lol unfortunately I don't even like the taste anymore. Goes to show what changing your lifestyle and what you eat on a daily basis can do to what your body actually wants and needs

PamWOhio

I am finding the same thing. I had hubby get me that 2 pack of Hostess Cupcakes last week. It took me 3 days to eat 1 cupcake and the other one is still there untouched. When I do want a guilty snack, I can grab 4 crackers and be fine. Once I grabbed 3 Doritos, weighed them, ate them and I was fine not having more. My diet soda has gradually gotten too sweet for me so I sip on one occasionally but not even a fraction like I used to. So I guess my only REAL cheat is that once a week 4-5 ounce baked potato that I used to have a few times a week and now it is a max of once a week. My sandwiches used to be 2-3 times a week and I haven't had one in over a week and a half. I like how things are going and for me it is a huge change. I used to live out of the freezer and hubby would bring home fast food 1-2 times a week and haven't done that since the first 2 weeks of me starting this and that was just small stuff. I am liking the new control. I like that I can satisfy a guilty pleasure (I never once thought I would consider a couple pieces of whole wheat bread a week to be a guilty pleasure.) with just a couple bites and be perfectly happy.

Thank you all so much for your input. I am trying to learn as much as I can. I got spoiled with my initial weight loss but am now settled in to 1.5-2.5lbs a week. Things are leveling out and I feel like I am settling into a nice routine without having to deprive myself since my body is naturally losing its taste for some of the stuff I shouldn't be eating anyway. Even PMS where I used to eat NON STOP for 2 days is different now. I have a tiny bit more hunger but nothing I can't control or to cause any discomfort.

Like I said. I am at the beginning of my journey but I am over halfway to my first goal. My first goal was to get from 204.5 to 150 and I am already at 175.5. If I make it to 150, I might just go for 130 but I was super happy with myself at 150 so we will see. I have gotten a lot older so 150 might not look as good on me as it once did...lol

suehbca

I have trouble with carbs in general. I do eat veggies, but not high carb. I was baking low carb desserts for awhile, but ate too much, so now one recipe a week. I was eating just when I was hungry for awhile, but now with work, I'm back to eating on schedule, esp for breakfast and lunch. I think that's really the most significant thing for me. If I'm not hungry, I shouldn't eat. I think I'm afraid that if I don't eat lunch on time and then get hungry I won't be able to eat anything then. It really isn't true though, just a fear I think is in the back of my mind. I've had a schedule fo eating for so much of my life, it's hard to break the habit!

PamWOhio

I started off here eating 3 meals but now I don't really get hungry till lunch time and I like being able to have a good lunch and dinner . I will eat breakfast if I am hungry but if I am not, I just wait till lunch which is 90% of the time.

bowlerae

I don't eat pasta, bread, potatoes, beans, corn, cane or artificial sugar, and most fruits. I drink only water, coffee, tea, water with Stur flavor enhancers and electrolyte water (So all water lol). Right now my fruit is limited to blueberries, blackberries and raspberries mixed in with full fat Greek Yogurt. That alone is about 12g net carbs so I always pre-log my food those days and make sure my other meals are very low carb. I also do a little bit of tomatoes in things like guacamole, salads, and pasta sauces, those are also high carb days. I miss bread the most and haven't found a decent replacement. Like I REALLY REALLY miss restaurant style bread. Oh and tortilla chips I miss a lot from restaurants but I can make some decent ones at home but baking low carb Flat Out wraps. Have a hard time with high protein.

LowCarbInScotland

I'm certainly not perfect, but when I'm eating on plan, which is probably 95+% of the time, I'm super strict when it comes to not eating bread, pasta, potatoes, etc, but I truly believe that we each need to find our individual path to good health as we're all trying to work within our own individual set of health challenges, psychological food issues and lifestyle factors.

I'm diabetic and most of the time I'm not taking meds for it anymore, so I have to be strict with the carbs. But even if that wasn't an issue, the addiction factor is enough reason for me to avoid them, a little nibble of bread would very quickly snowball into an entire loaf. I have zero will power and binge eating is all too easy for me, so I work very hard to keep temptations out of my house.

I find self-experimentation to be very important and I'm not into strictly formatted diet programs. I'm just not good at being told what to do lol. I've crafted my woe based on my medical needs, what works for me and my own personal food philosophies. But then again, for some people it's easier to follow a strict plan. I encourage you to continue doing your research and if you find your woe isn't generating the outcome you're seeking, make modifications slowly and assess the results as you go. Whatever you do, just don't give up on yourself