Trying to lower my carb intake for new diet.....failing....

2

Replies

  • ajaxe432
    ajaxe432 Posts: 608 Member
    Hello,

    I am trying to lower my carbs to experiment with a new diet. This, unlike previous diets I have experimented with, has proven very difficult. I have to say I love my carbs. I know what I have to do to get there, but I am looking for any help on how experienced carb cutters have managed to stay away from them. I actually sleep eat....lol-Waking up and going to the fridge in the middle of the night. My carb intake is ranging from 60-100 grams and before was around 200 hundred....Maybe it was too drastic of a cut. Failing but still fighting! Any input is appreciated:) Thanks!

    It sounds like you are having a bad time. Why are you trying to reduce your carbs anyway? Are you diabetic?

    Personally, I stick to 200-250g a day. That's pretty much what I have left once I've met my protein and fat goals.
    Thank you for your input...previous post
    Thank you everyone for the advice...Some may not have understood the question. I know that to lose weight it is a caloric defict that I must do....I am not aiming to lose weight. I am experimenting with new diets and I asked (to clarify) how people deal with the carb withdrawls and advice on how they do it. Thank you all for the input!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Can I ask why you are lowering your carbs? Carbs don't make you fat

    a caloric surplus makes you fat...

    if you want to lose weight you need to create a caloric deficiency
    Thank you, and I know:) Im experimenting so I can have a perspective when my clients ask!

    Oh wow! What a brave soul you are! Best of luck. Now you can tell your clients, "It sucks, and there's no reason for it unless you have a medical condition."

    Best of luck!
  • ajaxe432
    ajaxe432 Posts: 608 Member
    Thank you! Protien Pancakes!!!! Heaven!!!
    Hello,

    I am trying to lower my carbs to experiment with a new diet. This, unlike previous diets I have experimented with, has proven very difficult. I have to say I love my carbs. I know what I have to do to get there, but I am looking for any help on how experienced carb cutters have managed to stay away from them. I actually sleep eat....lol-Waking up and going to the fridge in the middle of the night. My carb intake is ranging from 60-100 grams and before was around 200 hundred....Maybe it was too drastic of a cut. Failing but still fighting! Any input is appreciated:) Thanks!
    [/quote

    Here are some ideas I sent to a friend and this is what works for me. Hope it helps you.






    Drinks:
    Unsweetented tea -- 1/2 -1 pkg of sweet n low in his

    flavored water. Buying the diff boxes and adding to water is cheaper route. My favorite is powerade zero berry flavored

    hot tea

    This may seem weird but if you drink coffee take an antiacid before your first drink. Coffee and the acid in your stomach--- does something that makes you hungry. Taking the antiacid helps and subsides that side- effect.

    Almost all meat has 0 carbs: Chicken, fish, shrimp, runs, brisket, steak, sausage, bacon,tuna, pork, beef, & even most lunch meats are low in carb.

    salad--- taco salad, dinner salad, chicken, fajita salad, eggs--deviled eggs, or cooked any way. I usually fix a couple over easy eggs in the place of potatoes for dinner at night. Although we do potatoes weekly but count the carbs

    Beans---They do have carbs in them but they also hv protein. I fix refried beans a lot at dinner time.

    Green beans--- onion powder, garlic,, real bacon bits-- I cook on low the whole tIm Im cooking dinner. I now love green beans cooking them this way.

    lots of veggies are low carbs Corn is not good to eat-- high in carbs.

    ranch dressing in moderation---it is high calorie though. lots of other good dressings.

    cheese--processed cheese is higher in carbs . Sliced gouda cheese is very good, Protein plus It melts easy. Weight watchers cheese sticks are wonderful. Even eating the full fat cheese sticks are good protein source and 0-1 carb
    .

    beef stick, jerky for snack. Turkey bits

    fat free cream cheese is low in carbs

    Dannon light and fit 2x protein Greek yogurt

    Sugar free popsicles hv 4 carbs and are 15 calories. Its a good snack to me.

    flatout bread (light) 16 carb, 9 fiber=7 net carbs, 9 protein,
    Josephs heart healthy pita bread 10 carbs, 5 fiber=5 net carbs, 7 protein and josephs flax oat bran and whole wheat lavish bread 7 carbs, 3 fiber=4 net carbs, 5 protein.
    All of these are very good. Excellent to make your lunch. Roll your meat, cheese, spinach leaf or lettuce whatever you put in it. You can fix eggs, sausage, onions, ham, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, salsa and roll up and eat.
    I toast the pita bread by spraying Pam in a skillet and toast on each side until hard and you can make tostados or fold in half and make tacos. Yes you can eat taco meat.

    Hamburger meat is high in fat but learning to eat like this you need some fat. I make burgers or turkey burgers to take for lunch.


    Pork rinds---0 carbs. Good snack and awesome to use to bread meat!!!!
    Grind pork rinds up--- add seasoning such as Italian, onion powder, garlic powder, Greek
    Yummy

    For quick easy ideas there is frozen chicken and beef fajita meat that you can take to work.
    add your healthy veggies that you want-- low carb ones.

    Peanuts and almonds packages that are portioned out.

    Sugar free jello

    Kochs oven cravers pepper jack, swiss and bacon chicken--- found in the freezer section

    Apples/peanut butter pre-packaged in produce section, celery and peanut butter

    Quest protein bars are amazing!!!!

    Nature valley or Great valley protein bars or even Atkins protein bars

    Protein pancakes are AWESOME! feels like you're cheating lol

    2 oz fat free cream cheese
    2 eggs
    1 tsp cinnamon

    Mix well, spray Pam in pan and pour n cook. I have found that making the skillet hot before pouring makes thicker pancakes
    208 calories
    6.6 carbs
    20 protein

    Topping ideas:
    Cinnamon
    sugar free cool whip
    Spray butter has zero carbs ( i can't believe its not butter)
    Roll meat in them and eatem
    I bet spreading yogurt on them would be good
    cottage cheese
    I use frozen fruit--microwave and pour



    There are lots of crockpot recipes out there.Here is one

    4 frozen chicken beast-- place in pot

    Mix:. 1 pkg dry ranch mix
    1pkg taco seasoning
    1 jar of salsa

    pour over chicken and cook 4-6 hours. Shred chicken with fork then add some cheese cook until cheese is melted.
    Great by itself or on tacos, salad, tostados

    Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android













    ");
  • ajaxe432
    ajaxe432 Posts: 608 Member
    Can I ask why you are lowering your carbs? Carbs don't make you fat

    a caloric surplus makes you fat...

    if you want to lose weight you need to create a caloric deficiency
    Thank you, and I know:) Im experimenting so I can have a perspective when my clients ask!

    Oh wow! What a brave soul you are! Best of luck. Now you can tell your clients, "It sucks, and there's no reason for it unless you have a medical condition."

    Best of luck!
    Thank you for your input!
  • ok here it is...you are EXTREMELY MISGUIDED AND FOOLISH TO EVER CUT YOUR CARBS...EVER...I EAT 400 TO 1000 GRAMS A DAY AND LOSING FAT CONSTANTLY...IF YOU WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT AND GET RID OF ALL YOUR BODYFAT
    INCREASE YOUR CARBS!! lol what is this 1992...stop reading your womens magazines and wake the **** up
    Elvis
  • ajaxe432
    ajaxe432 Posts: 608 Member
    P.S. This is not a diet for me but the way I eat and have for the past year. I try to be high protein and watch my carbs keeping them 30-80, however I do go over at times. I try to have more protein then carbs but I do flucuate all the time so that my body doesn't get used to it and stall me. My husband has now jumped on board as of June 3rd-- No pop or sweet intake and he has lost over 30 lbs. We do eat bread and potatoes. We don't exclude things we just watch it and try not to go carb crazy.
    Congrats on the weight loss!! Simply Amazing! How was your mood when you first started with the high protien diet? Your performance on exercise and daily life, etc?
  • ajaxe432
    ajaxe432 Posts: 608 Member
    ok here it is...you are EXTREMELY MISGUIDED AND FOOLISH TO EVER CUT YOUR CARBS...EVER...I EAT 400 TO 1000 GRAMS A DAY AND LOSING FAT CONSTANTLY...IF YOU WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT AND GET RID OF ALL YOUR BODYFAT
    INCREASE YOUR CARBS!! lol what is this 1992...stop reading your womens magazines and wake the **** up
    Elvis
    lol. thank you for your input! I will probaly pass on this one:) And probally not misguided either, but hey if you think so your entitled to your opinion!
  • ajaxe432
    ajaxe432 Posts: 608 Member
    Carb cravings are there for a reason.

    The quick weight loss from carb depletion is solely from water loss that comes along with depleting glycogen stores. Basically the only legitimate reason to do so is for builders who carb load and keep high water intake, and then proceed to low carb the final week before competition for maximum separation and definition. Dealing it with a week or so isn't so bad, but the cravings probably won't go away beyond that point.

    Carb depletion is almost as bad as sodium depletion, but I digress.
    Thanks man! Im finding that out about the cravings....
  • Jenny_Ren1
    Jenny_Ren1 Posts: 65 Member
    My ex was a sleep eater. Drove me nuts!! Can't tell you how many times I went to get my leftovers and they were gone. He never knew what happened to my food, it would just be gone! LOL
  • Lorijp
    Lorijp Posts: 47 Member
    P.S. This is not a diet for me but the way I eat and have for the past year. I try to be high protein and watch my carbs keeping them 30-80, however I do go over at times. I try to have more protein then carbs but I do flucuate all the time so that my body doesn't get used to it and stall me. My husband has now jumped on board as of June 3rd-- No pop or sweet intake and he has lost over 30 lbs. We do eat bread and potatoes. We don't exclude things we just watch it and try not to go carb crazy.
    Congrats on the weight loss!! Simply Amazing! How was your mood when you first started with the high protien diet? Your performance on exercise and daily life, etc?


    It's tough at first 2-3 weeks because your body goes through detox. You may be tired a lot and even have headaches. I was a HUGE sugar intake person. We were tired a lot at first but fine now. Doing this really helps fight sugar cravings. Our sugar intake daily is 15 below usually for the day. There are a few times I'm up to 30 and very very few times I have went over 30 sugar intake daily. I'm going to be honest, I'm not a big exerciser. I do what I have to do and thats it. Thats just me! Yes I need too! lol
  • ajaxe432
    ajaxe432 Posts: 608 Member
    My ex was a sleep eater. Drove me nuts!! Can't tell you how many times I went to get my leftovers and they were gone. He never knew what happened to my food, it would just be gone! LOL
    Haha!! I am glad I am not alone:)
  • Gearjammer71
    Gearjammer71 Posts: 151 Member
    OP, I love how people completely ignore both your perfect legitimate explanation as well as you profile pic that clearly indicates that your buff as hell, and have no weight problem and still offer you something totally opposite of what your looking for. :laugh:

    When I cut carbs I just had to power through. It was miserable for sure, and it lasted 9 days for me. Most people say they are past it in 2-3 days. I did it for a different reason though... I am a diabetic and would suffer horrendous post-exercise spikes... 500+ BG to the point where I could barely see. I went super low and stayed there until it I stopped getting the glycogen blast. I now roam upwards of 100g per day on occasion, but still try to stay below 50.
  • mrdexter1
    mrdexter1 Posts: 356 Member
    planning is all you need...

    work out six meals a day , fibre supliment, multivit, omega 3 capsules and primrose oil - buy stuff in for a week and eat the same every day at the same time and on less than 20g of carbs you ll have no craving for them, you ll have plenty of energy and sleep like a baby for the first time in years ! - wont even feel hungry.

    As, for losing weight - your body goes " flat" and for me on 1750 ish cals the weight loss was very rapid and im at 13% bodyfat taking a break and maintaining it eating carbs again purely because of the heat and my choice to do so preparing for the next leg down. ( i notice i lack energy when training and eating carbs in still sticking to 1750 cals )

    ps - its true there is very little muscle mass loss
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    planning is all you need...

    work out six meals a day , fibre supliment, multivit, omega 3 capsules and primrose oil - buy stuff in for a week and eat the same every day at the same time and on less than 20g of carbs you ll have no craving for them, you ll have plenty of energy and sleep like a baby for the first time in years ! - wont even feel hungry.

    As, for losing weight - your body goes " flat" and for me on 1750 ish cals the weight loss was very rapid and im at 13% bodyfat taking a break and maintaining it eating carbs again purely because of the heat and my choice to do so preparing for the next leg down.

    ps - its true there is very little muscle mass loss

    6 meals a day? No thanks Jeff!
  • Nishi2013
    Nishi2013 Posts: 210 Member
    I only managed to lower my carbs when I focused on INCREASING my protein intake instead - then my carb intake then dropped by itself.

    I hope that helps.

    This. Also I still Ste carbs like sweet potato and red potatoes. Just no bread, pasta, rice etc.
  • Nishi2013
    Nishi2013 Posts: 210 Member
    planning is all you need...

    work out six meals a day , fibre supliment, multivit, omega 3 capsules and primrose oil - buy stuff in for a week and eat the same every day at the same time and on less than 20g of carbs you ll have no craving for them, you ll have plenty of energy and sleep like a baby for the first time in years ! - wont even feel hungry.

    As, for losing weight - your body goes " flat" and for me on 1750 ish cals the weight loss was very rapid and im at 13% bodyfat taking a break and maintaining it eating carbs again purely because of the heat and my choice to do so preparing for the next leg down.

    ps - its true there is very little muscle mass loss



    6 meals a day? No thanks Jeff!

    Actually 6 meals s day did help with insulting balance which in turn helps control carb cravings.
  • planning is all you need...

    work out six meals a day , fibre supliment, multivit, omega 3 capsules and primrose oil - buy stuff in for a week and eat the same every day at the same time and on less than 20g of carbs you ll have no craving for them, you ll have plenty of energy and sleep like a baby for the first time in years ! - wont even feel hungry.

    As, for losing weight - your body goes " flat" and for me on 1750 ish cals the weight loss was very rapid and im at 13% bodyfat taking a break and maintaining it eating carbs again purely because of the heat and my choice to do so preparing for the next leg down.

    ps - its true there is very little muscle mass loss

    6 meals a day? No thanks Jeff!

    Lmao...no thanks Jeff is right

    brb 10 meals a day or I'll starve
  • mrdexter1
    mrdexter1 Posts: 356 Member
    planning is all you need...

    work out six meals a day , fibre supliment, multivit, omega 3 capsules and primrose oil - buy stuff in for a week and eat the same every day at the same time and on less than 20g of carbs you ll have no craving for them, you ll have plenty of energy and sleep like a baby for the first time in years ! - wont even feel hungry.

    As, for losing weight - your body goes " flat" and for me on 1750 ish cals the weight loss was very rapid and im at 13% bodyfat taking a break and maintaining it eating carbs again purely because of the heat and my choice to do so preparing for the next leg down.

    ps - its true there is very little muscle mass loss

    6 meals a day? No thanks Jeff!

    each to their own, but i guess you re "special" and your body is unique in storing protein rather than needing it like the rest of us mere mortals !!!!
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    planning is all you need...

    work out six meals a day , fibre supliment, multivit, omega 3 capsules and primrose oil - buy stuff in for a week and eat the same every day at the same time and on less than 20g of carbs you ll have no craving for them, you ll have plenty of energy and sleep like a baby for the first time in years ! - wont even feel hungry.

    As, for losing weight - your body goes " flat" and for me on 1750 ish cals the weight loss was very rapid and im at 13% bodyfat taking a break and maintaining it eating carbs again purely because of the heat and my choice to do so preparing for the next leg down.

    ps - its true there is very little muscle mass loss



    6 meals a day? No thanks Jeff!

    Actually 6 meals s day did help with insulting balance which in turn helps control carb cravings.

    No, sorry - maybe in your head of backwards theories, but no.
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    planning is all you need...

    work out six meals a day , fibre supliment, multivit, omega 3 capsules and primrose oil - buy stuff in for a week and eat the same every day at the same time and on less than 20g of carbs you ll have no craving for them, you ll have plenty of energy and sleep like a baby for the first time in years ! - wont even feel hungry.

    As, for losing weight - your body goes " flat" and for me on 1750 ish cals the weight loss was very rapid and im at 13% bodyfat taking a break and maintaining it eating carbs again purely because of the heat and my choice to do so preparing for the next leg down.

    ps - its true there is very little muscle mass loss

    6 meals a day? No thanks Jeff!

    each to their own, but i guess you re "special" and your body is unique in storing protein rather than needing it like the rest of us mere mortals !!!!

    Protein takes hours, and hours, and hours to digest. Do some research.
  • SailorKnightWing
    SailorKnightWing Posts: 875 Member
    OP, you may want to edit your original post to include the information about trying it out for your clients. Most people don't read all the comments on a forum and you're just going to get more people asking why.
  • luvlc
    luvlc Posts: 4 Member
    There is nothing gimmicky or temporary about weight loss with a low carb diet...unless you think it's a diet and you go back to eating carbs. Like any way of eating, you have to find what works for you and stick with it...forever. No easy fix for most people. I have lost 200 lbs with a low carb diet and have kept it off for 7 years. In the beginning it is easier to cut them drastically to 20 or so a day and after the first week or so, gradually increase until you find your optimal level. For people with no major metabolic issues, up to 100 gm or so daily will be ok. You can get the maximum health benefits by staying at 75 gm or less per day. However, for others, eating additional carbs trigger cravings and binge eating. It's all YMMV. Even cutting refined sugars and white starch from your diet will help your health in the long run. Good luck!
  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
    Hello,

    I am trying to lower my carbs to experiment with a new diet. This, unlike previous diets I have experimented with, has proven very difficult. I have to say I love my carbs. I know what I have to do to get there, but I am looking for any help on how experienced carb cutters have managed to stay away from them. I actually sleep eat....lol-Waking up and going to the fridge in the middle of the night. My carb intake is ranging from 60-100 grams and before was around 200 hundred....Maybe it was too drastic of a cut. Failing but still fighting! Any input is appreciated:) Thanks!

    How about instead of low carb, think low processed carbs? Your body burns more calories processing carbs in their natural state, especially when raw, which is an extra benefit. The natural carbs (fruits and vegetables) also have the extra benefit of more water and fiber, which slows down the processing of the carbs and sugars, which helps your insulin from spiking and dropping. I pair carb snacks with fats and protein to increase this effect. For example, every morning I blend a cup of strawberries, three ounces of two percent Greek yogurt, half a cup of milk and three or four packages of Stevia (or a dropper full of Stevia liquid you can get at Whole Foods). I have a snack of fruit and a couple of egg whites from a hard boiled egg for a snack, eat a salad with grilled chicken for lunch with an apple or orange, have a snack in the afternoon - usually hummus and salted cucumbers and tomatoes, and then chicken, steak or fish for dinner with a baked potato or homemade sweet potato fries and a couple of veggies (I love roasted zucchini with parmesan cheese and usually eat steamed broccoli). I cook extra veggies so on late dinner days I can just heat them up, or I make sure I have salad stuff in the fridge, or I munch on carrots and celery while I cook dinner.
    This summer I have been a bad girl, but usually when I eat as described above, I do really well with weight loss. I hope you find what works for you!
  • Hahaha! I love it! Bacon is a cure all for sure!
  • Lisa_Rhodes
    Lisa_Rhodes Posts: 263 Member
    Hello,

    I am trying to lower my carbs to experiment with a new diet. This, unlike previous diets I have experimented with, has proven very difficult. I have to say I love my carbs. I know what I have to do to get there, but I am looking for any help on how experienced carb cutters have managed to stay away from them. I actually sleep eat....lol-Waking up and going to the fridge in the middle of the night. My carb intake is ranging from 60-100 grams and before was around 200 hundred....Maybe it was too drastic of a cut. Failing but still fighting! Any input is appreciated:) Thanks!

    How about instead of low carb, think low processed carbs? Your body burns more calories processing carbs in their natural state, especially when raw, which is an extra benefit. The natural carbs (fruits and vegetables) also have the extra benefit of more water and fiber, which slows down the processing of the carbs and sugars, which helps your insulin from spiking and dropping. I pair carb snacks with fats and protein to increase this effect. For example, every morning I blend a cup of strawberries, three ounces of two percent Greek yogurt, half a cup of milk and three or four packages of Stevia (or a dropper full of Stevia liquid you can get at Whole Foods). I have a snack of fruit and a couple of egg whites from a hard boiled egg for a snack, eat a salad with grilled chicken for lunch with an apple or orange, have a snack in the afternoon - usually hummus and salted cucumbers and tomatoes, and then chicken, steak or fish for dinner with a baked potato or homemade sweet potato fries and a couple of veggies (I love roasted zucchini with parmesan cheese and usually eat steamed broccoli). I cook extra veggies so on late dinner days I can just heat them up, or I make sure I have salad stuff in the fridge, or I munch on carrots and celery while I cook dinner.
    This summer I have been a bad girl, but usually when I eat as described above, I do really well with weight loss. I hope you find what works for you!

    Agreed! I have my carbs limited to 70g/day. I didn't really go through withdrawals bc I didn't drop my carbs super low in the beginning.. it was gradual. The carbs I eat are generally from whole foods, not processed either. I can tell you that as soon as I upped my fat/protein intake, I hardly get hungry in between meals... plus my congestion cleared up a lot! That may also be from just cutting out a lot of the processed/sugar junk.

    Best of Luck!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,933 Member
    Change your philosophy on diet then. I don't have any clients diet. Their best interests is for lifestyle change and you know as well as I do that diets of low carbs are just temporary and reverting back to eating them will cause a regain of weight.
    Change their thinking of portion control and not by totally changing their lifestyle diet. You can suggest more nutrient dense food, but let them make the decision to change to it.
    One of my favorite quotes is "Consistency is the difference between true champions and occasional winners". Don't let the client just win temporarily. Make sure they can do it for life.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • mrdexter1
    mrdexter1 Posts: 356 Member
    planning is all you need...

    work out six meals a day , fibre supliment, multivit, omega 3 capsules and primrose oil - buy stuff in for a week and eat the same every day at the same time and on less than 20g of carbs you ll have no craving for them, you ll have plenty of energy and sleep like a baby for the first time in years ! - wont even feel hungry.

    As, for losing weight - your body goes " flat" and for me on 1750 ish cals the weight loss was very rapid and im at 13% bodyfat taking a break and maintaining it eating carbs again purely because of the heat and my choice to do so preparing for the next leg down.

    ps - its true there is very little muscle mass loss

    6 meals a day? No thanks Jeff!

    each to their own, but i guess you re "special" and your body is unique in storing protein rather than needing it like the rest of us mere mortals !!!!

    Protein takes hours, and hours, and hours to digest. Do some research.

    you re from grimbsby... cant bring myself to disagree with you !!!
  • cinrn68
    cinrn68 Posts: 215 Member
    I've also been consuming between 100-200 gms of carbs daily since I started MFP in January and I've lost 47 lbs so far. I've upped my protein intake, however, and I find that helps much more in maintaining muscle and losing weight.
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    planning is all you need...

    work out six meals a day , fibre supliment, multivit, omega 3 capsules and primrose oil - buy stuff in for a week and eat the same every day at the same time and on less than 20g of carbs you ll have no craving for them, you ll have plenty of energy and sleep like a baby for the first time in years ! - wont even feel hungry.

    As, for losing weight - your body goes " flat" and for me on 1750 ish cals the weight loss was very rapid and im at 13% bodyfat taking a break and maintaining it eating carbs again purely because of the heat and my choice to do so preparing for the next leg down.

    ps - its true there is very little muscle mass loss

    6 meals a day? No thanks Jeff!

    each to their own, but i guess you re "special" and your body is unique in storing protein rather than needing it like the rest of us mere mortals !!!!

    Protein takes hours, and hours, and hours to digest. Do some research.

    you re from grimbsby... cant bring myself to disagree with you !!!

    ...Right
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    60-100 g carbs is a horrible place to be. Bump it up to where you feel better- my guess would be 150 but it might be lower, or really do low carb and go to ketosis. That middle carb area leaves just about everyone with angry, bingey carb cravings and feeling miserable.