low carb- kept starter with ant inflammatory fats- weight loss goal too, ideas??

surreychic

Hi,

I'm mainly considering low carb to assist with my mood. I am also going away in five days (and will be swimming!) and dropping maximum pounds prior to going would be lovely (short term fix).

I would like to try to get myself into ketogenesis with some veggies (green leafy veg (bit worried about the bowels)) and I know there is much debate about saturated fat, I would prefer to choose olive oil, salmon etc...

Again improving my mood is my main goal but I also don't want to gain any weight (happy to do this in the longterm whilst adjusting - I am a carb binger). I am really looking for a starter bikini diet type keto plan.. any ideas as to where to look ? or menu plans? I usually start the day with a skinny cappuccino with chocolate sprinkles so hard work will be required.

If I can avoid taking antidepressants every day I would be an advocate for life.

Thank you!!

Sunny_Bunny_

Saturated fats will provide a great source of energy particularly for your brain and are essential in hormone production. I would be careful not to restrict them too much. Especially if mood is of concern.
I'm not sure how much you're planning to cut carbs but you need to fully understand your increased sodium needs while eating low carb. The lower you go, the more sodium you need. It's a wide range from 3000mg on the absolute minimum to 6 or 7000mg for very active very low carbers. At 5 days in, you'd be well within symptom producing range of low sodium if you don't know to increase it and it could ruin your fun. Please read the FAQ info about electrolytes.

bowlerae

Well in 5 days you can drop some WATER weight by eating keto, fat loss would be limited but water could be anywhere from 2-10 lbs. Eat 30g of net carbs or less. 20g or less if possible. By net carbs you subtract the fiber from carbs and whatever is remaining is what counts towards that number. I have found keto to be great for mood, but as brought up in a recent thread, it could be partly because the more I stick to it, the more motivated, confident and proud I feel and those positive feelings have a positive impact on other areas of my life.

I believe in the launch pad sticky post there is a post about foods to eat and to avoid on keto. You already mentioned olive oil and salmon. Those are great. So is bacon, eggs, avocados, nuts/seeds, dairy if you don't have an issue with it (heavy cream, sour cream, cream cheese, regular cheese, even full fat greek yogurt). Just look for food items that are high in fat, low in carbs and moderate in protien. Since you like to start your day with coffee try keto aka bulletproof coffee (BPC). It's coffee with butter, coconut/mct oil, and heavy cream. If you are a chocolate fiend like me, switch to a sugar free, naturally sweetened chocolate. I like Lily's sweetened with Stevia.

surreychic

Thank you! I've only just seen you responses. I know that I'm biologically prone to low mood, I have had some great things happen and am very lucky, but sometimes can continue to feel "flat". Some times copious coffee helps, aerobic exercise (but my joints don't like this anymore). I should imagine if low carb didn't help your mood you would know about it bowlerae!

Thank you sunny-bunny. I accidentally replied to you on another thread. Low blood pressure will be a big for me as I often don't have a massively high carb breakfast and have issues with dizziness mid morning, and postural hypotension.

It's so easy to eat net carbs of 20-30! Today is out as I have started breakfast with skimmed milk and dark chocolates (not plain cocoa chocolate) but thought my supper this eve would be fine (cauliflower curry) and checked carbs and it already comes in at 40g (net).

surreychic

Can I just have heavy cream in the coffee? that sounds yum! I like something that "froths" as I love my cappuccino....

swezeytba

surreychic wrote: »

Can I just have heavy cream in the coffee? that sounds yum! I like something that "froths" as I love my cappuccino....

Yes heavy cream is great for coffee....If you want to up the fat level even further you can put some mascarpone cheese in there (It's like a cream cheese on steroids....It's the stuff they use to make tiramisu)....I tried it once and have been hooked ever since.....It makes for a pretty creamy cup of coffee.

bowlerae

swezeytba wrote: »

surreychic wrote: »

Can I just have heavy cream in the coffee? that sounds yum! I like something that "froths" as I love my cappuccino....

Yes heavy cream is great for coffee....If you want to up the fat level even further you can put some mascarpone cheese in there (It's like a cream cheese on steroids....It's the stuff they use to make tiramisu)....I tried it once and have been hooked ever since.....It makes for a pretty creamy cup of coffee.

Never thought of mascarpone in coffee. Do you mind sharing the full recipe you use?

swezeytba

bowlerae wrote: »

swezeytba wrote: »

surreychic wrote: »

Can I just have heavy cream in the coffee? that sounds yum! I like something that "froths" as I love my cappuccino....

Yes heavy cream is great for coffee....If you want to up the fat level even further you can put some mascarpone cheese in there (It's like a cream cheese on steroids....It's the stuff they use to make tiramisu)....I tried it once and have been hooked ever since.....It makes for a pretty creamy cup of coffee.

Never thought of mascarpone in coffee. Do you mind sharing the full recipe you use?

Seriously simple....Just take a Tbsp. of mascarpone and put it in black coffee....Let it sit a minute to melt some and use my hand frother to whip it up. I usually start with a small amount of coffee first and then once I have the mascarpone whipped in add more while I continue to froth.....Add sweetener if you choose.

Oh....and once in awhile I will add a little unsweetened cocoa powder to make it a little more like a mocha....