Keto/clean eating lifestyle

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This might be a long shot but...is there anyone in this group that sticks to the cleaner eating of the low carb lifestyle? There are many advocating franken foods (lc bread, ice cream, pasta). I try to keep my diet as clean as possible but feel like I'm running out of options (especially since I never, ever save recipes)

Signed,

Looking for clean eating keto buddies with open diaries
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  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,439 Member
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    Don't forget Google too! Insert the word "Keto" before the recipe you are looking for and you will find lots of sites devoted to this way of eating (woe). There's also a recipe section in the Launch Pad located at the top of the forum page up there^^^.

    I've been doing LCHF for almost two years, but don't keep a food diary anymore (and made it to my goal weight, and have been maintaining while not logging). I'm always open to new friends though!

    Also, you've found the right group of people who share the same woe! Welcome! You will be amazed at what this group has to offer!
  • LowCarbInScotland
    LowCarbInScotland Posts: 1,027 Member
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    Hi @kgailvincent I've forayed into processed meats (bacon, salami and ham) over the last six months as they've become my anti-carb crutch and I'll never give up cream in my coffee, but it's my goal to eat as clean as time allows me. Bottle salad dressing is the other thing that sneaks into my mouth when I'm not in the mood to make my own, but you'll generally only find me shopping from the fresh food section. My goal for 2017 is to kick the processed pig habit.
  • kgailvincent
    kgailvincent Posts: 24 Member
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    Processed meats are okay in moderation On keto. I'm really referring to the Atkins snack foods, meals and other such foods. On keto I hear that the only fiber that should be subtracted is that of green veggies. All other fibers may need to be counted because they actually CAN be used by the body.

    I can agree that brands with simple ingredients are hard to come by. I have to admit eating clean is time consuming. I'm literally in the kitchen preparing everything from scratch...ugh.

    If you have any recipes please share.
  • LowCarbInScotland
    LowCarbInScotland Posts: 1,027 Member
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    My aversion to processed meats came long before my very low carb diet. I don't like to eat processed meats because I'd prefer not to eat meat that contains unnecessary added ingredients or food that has spent too much time in a factory. But I'm not overly obsessive about it and I don't push my personal food preferences on others, I firmly believe we all need to find our own path.

    I keep things simple and don't really use recipes, I just grab meat and veg and toss them together most days :smile:

    Breakfast is usually scrambled eggs with ham or bacon, mushrooms, zucchini.

    Lunch is usually a salad with some greens, meat and hard boiled egg. When I'm eating closer to 35 g carbs I'll have some cherry tomatoes and even a few slivers of red onion and pepper, when I'm trying to stay under 20 I'll just stick with the greens.

    Dinner is usually meat, with a side of sautéed veg - broccoli, mushrooms, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, cabbage. I make a lot of soups too, I'll do broth soups with homemade meatballs, lamb neck or or leftover meat roasts with veggies and when I'm eating a few extra carbs I'll make a puréed veggie soup with cauliflower and celeriac and I'll serve it with a steak, salmon or some roasted chicken legs. I add flavour with fresh herbs, chiilis, ginger, garlic, lemongrass. I make marinades and stir fry sauces by pureeing my spices and mixing them with olive oil I get from a single olive estate and gluten free soy sauce.

    I do keep a few quest bars around for emergencies when I'm traveling, but you'll never find any premade dinners in my house and I don't own a microwave.

    But I don't judge! I'm not perfect and I don't think everyone needs to eat this way, I get it, it's hard to find time to cook from scratch every day.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
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    Your idea of keto aligns with mine. I personally don't want to make bread replacements and low carb sweets with the exception of something incredibly simple like cheesecake or stevia sweetened whipped cream on berries on major holidays.
    I've never had a fat head pizza and don't have an plans to because I like it just fine with no crust at all.
    I don't log food anymore though because I literally only eat eggs, meat, cheese, dairy, and bone broth, except for the occasional few bites of veggies that I usually regret.
    I only drink coffee, tea and water.
    There's just no point in me logging anything.
    But there are lots of people on here that stay away from the faux foods. Especially the Atkins candy bars and stuff.
    We do have a supportive attitude for those tyat choose to have those things though.
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
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    I'm very much like @Sunny_Bunnie and @PaleoInScotland regarding food choices.

    I have plenty of time on my hands so cook nearly every night. My pantry is loaded with herbs and spices. I still cook pasta dishes. I just don't eat the pasta. I made a tasty chicken dish last night loaded with garam masala and curry. My husband had it over rice. I skipped the rice.

    I don't believe I have ever made anything that is specific to keto. I do not eat Quest (or any) bars, buy special ice creams, make keto desserts, etc. I don't even buy dark chocolate. I'm quite certain they are all very delicious and convenient but I still have "control issues" around that type of tasty stuff. I say kudos to those who can have it in their house and not over eat. Additionally, I don't usually read other's diaries, I'm that impulsive with food.

    Meat, fish, eggs, full fat dairy, nuts, seeds, oils, above ground vegetables. I think the only thing "keto" I have purchased is MCT Oil and coconut oil, if one considers coconut oil keto. The only reason I have those is because I do supplement with fat since I eat more along the lines of a medically therapeutic ketogenic diet.

    I'm currently off and on with tracking. Most wouldn't enjoy my diary anyway. It's pretty boring, as written/entered. It's just food.
  • dasher602014
    dasher602014 Posts: 1,992 Member
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    Me too. We even make our own ice cream for those rare occasions that we want a treat (mostly when we have guests). I am lactose intolerance and my DH eats keto so homemade is the only way to go.

    We eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch most days (with some rotation) and save our cooking prowess for dinner. And we do not eat any bars, cookies etc. I do cook cookies and muffins (keto recipes) for the odd treats for my DH. (ruled.me is good) Pasta is off the list too for both of us and we substitute cabbage or make zoodles instead. It does take time but it gets faster with practice. The only low carb specialty food we do buy is Nupasta but we do not used them often.

    We are having Asian cabbage slaw from dietdoctor.com for dinner tonight. A favourite.
  • Cadori
    Cadori Posts: 4,810 Member
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    I keep it simple too. I only have 2 meals a day and dinner is almost always meat, veg, salad.

    Lunch is either leftovers, salami and cheese, or eggs in some form.
  • anglyn1
    anglyn1 Posts: 1,803 Member
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    I occasionally make fathead pizza, low carb cookies with swerve and almond flour, and also eat Halo Top. I count all the carbs although it's never messed up my progress. I don't use sweeteners other than erythritol and stevia. I don't eat quest, Adkins or other bars. I drink 99% of my coffees and teas with nothing added. So not clean but not the worst I could do.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
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    anglyn1 wrote: »
    I occasionally make fathead pizza, low carb cookies with swerve and almond flour, and also eat Halo Top. I count all the carbs although it's never messed up my progress. I don't use sweeteners other than erythritol and stevia. I don't eat quest, Adkins or other bars. I drink 99% of my coffees and teas with nothing added. So not clean but not the worst I could do.

    Nowhere near it! That's for sure!
  • genmon00
    genmon00 Posts: 604 Member
    edited January 2017
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    Hi there! Do you have any Fresh and Easy stores where you live? They usually have inexpensive, HEALTHY, meals like salmon and veggies or baked chicken, ready to go. You just either have to heat them up or cook for a short time. I miss having one of those around here :(

    Edited: Nevermind, the company closed all its location in 2015
  • RalfLott
    RalfLott Posts: 5,036 Member
    edited January 2017
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    It is a bit of a challenge

    I don't go for factory flesh - need some strong indications of healthy rearing. I tend to avoid things with fake fiber (take cellulose.... out of my food!) and other stuff with no or funny lists of ingredients. When I can, I buy local produce or "organic".

    So... staples are
      * Lots of egg & cheese dishes, usually with some low-starch vegetable and littered with toasted pumpkin seeds, and * A big pot of soup every few days with a sloppy mess of coconut flakes, chia, pumpkin, flax, and maybe some other seeds, vegetables, spices, and salted with sodium and potassium, with some fish or other dense protein on the side.
    . Mmmmmmm. :mrgreen:
  • bjwoodzy
    bjwoodzy Posts: 593 Member
    edited January 2017
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    I tend to enjoy 'clean' eating more, so yes, I'm one of those who tends to stick to that. Pepperoni/salami, some cheese spreads, and the occasional "low carb" flatbread (about once a month) are the only things I eat that I consider sort of 'bad', but way better than making excuses for cheating on something high-carb. I feel like the more whole foods I can eat (barring the can of plain tomatoes and things like almond flour and stevia), the more sustainable the WOE is. Feel free to add me and PM or comment on my wall if you ever see a meal you want a recipe for, I'm glad to share it (almost everything I log is me entering in my own recipe).
  • bjwoodzy
    bjwoodzy Posts: 593 Member
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    PS - someone just bumped this thread, which isn't recipes but has a lot of ideas for snacks and cooking/prep tips...

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10423302/woe-hacks
  • kimberwolf71
    kimberwolf71 Posts: 470 Member
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    @kirkor another dairy-free keto resource is www.healthfulpursuit.com
  • bjwoodzy
    bjwoodzy Posts: 593 Member
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    PPS - here is a great thread FULL of pics of people's foodporn - shameless plug, I just dumped a few things in there that I ate over the summer/early fall...

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10274397/what-does-your-low-carb-meals-look-like
  • ijhardwicke
    ijhardwicke Posts: 8 Member
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    Thanks everyone! I'm new to this and trying to encourage the whole family. Since I'm the primary cook, I have more control. Little one is a grazer and is always hungry, so it's going well so far. Hubby is already planning cheat days, so we'll see. Right now, just trying to keep it very simple!
  • cstehansen
    cstehansen Posts: 1,984 Member
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    bjwoodzy wrote: »
    PPS - here is a great thread FULL of pics of people's foodporn - shameless plug, I just dumped a few things in there that I ate over the summer/early fall...

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10274397/what-does-your-low-carb-meals-look-like

    And thanks for what you added. It gave me a few more ideas.
  • cstehansen
    cstehansen Posts: 1,984 Member
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    I tend to eat very simply. I don't like to eat all the processed low carb foods. To me processed food is processed food. My only exceptions are some processed meat (really, is life worth living without bacon?!?!?!?) and occasionally having some of the low carb tortillas because of convenience.

    For me, what has saved me is my crock pot. I had it for over 20 years (wedding present) without ever using it as intended until recently discovering how perfect it is for this WOE. It is as simple as throwing in a hunk of meat (so far pork shoulder has been my favorite) with some seasoning and garlic and a little water then waiting. For the last couple hours, I will throw in some veggies like peppers or zucchini. I make a nice big batch that will be my lunch for the week.

    I don't log much as of late because it really is the same stuff over and over again - eggs, meat from the crock pot or smoker, etc.