Downside to Low-Carb
JordisTSM
Posts: 359 Member
I tend to be a bit lazy in the mornings so keep a supply of protein bars in my desk at work in case I skip breakfast or don't make lunch.
Today is the first day since I started low-carb that I needed to dip in to my supply. OMG, the sweetness. I never realised just how sweet they are. So used to having sugary things that it had never registered on the palate before.
By the time I was halfway through, I was pretty much done. Only 5 days low-carb!
(It's a downside cause now I can't fall back on my lazy protein bar supply, and I still have a box of the damn things left!)
Today is the first day since I started low-carb that I needed to dip in to my supply. OMG, the sweetness. I never realised just how sweet they are. So used to having sugary things that it had never registered on the palate before.
By the time I was halfway through, I was pretty much done. Only 5 days low-carb!
(It's a downside cause now I can't fall back on my lazy protein bar supply, and I still have a box of the damn things left!)
7
Replies
-
Yes, I noticed that, too. Splenda tastes insanely sweet now--it's changed my taste buds!2
-
That's one low carb side effect that I haven't experienced yet, but I wish I would. LOL
I can appreciate less sweet things more now, but a super sweet thing is still a taste I like...darnit.4 -
yeah the dang atkins candy bars are my downfall .....but at lease only 2 carbs a bar , 5 days in wait month from now you will want those bars trust me LOL
1 -
Give it time... you'll miss the sweetness. i have at least one bar per day.1
-
I agree that there is a part of some people's brains that will always WANT the sweetness. For me, sweets have lost their frenetic luster, and so the ability to resist is much stronger. My coffee will always have sweet. And because of that inherent desire simmering under the surface, I will also always have my diet sodas in moderation. These allowances make it easier for my brain to take all the "NOPE" I throw at it when the carb urge strikes. It is appeased. So it allows me to live without the agonizing WANT I used to have.
Some people can't even do that without diving off the deep end. So, it's a classic YMMV, as per the usual.
5 -
I never thought I would come to enjoy my unsweetened coffee in the morning, but I do. I have yet to find a sugar substitute that doesn't taste weird once my taste buds got used to eating less sugar. If I need sweet, I have the real stuff, and it's amazing to me that I'm OK with a bite or two of a really rich dessert, and I can actually put my fork down because it's enough. My only downside is I can't experiment with a lot of cocktails anymore because they put way too much sweet in them... *sigh* I guess straight bourbon over ice it is... LOL3
-
AKTipsyCat wrote: »I never thought I would come to enjoy my unsweetened coffee in the morning, but I do. I have yet to find a sugar substitute that doesn't taste weird once my taste buds got used to eating less sugar. If I need sweet, I have the real stuff, and it's amazing to me that I'm OK with a bite or two of a really rich dessert, and I can actually put my fork down because it's enough. My only downside is I can't experiment with a lot of cocktails anymore because they put way too much sweet in them... *sigh* I guess straight bourbon over ice it is... LOL
I am with you on the unsweetened coffee in the morning. I've never like my tea sweetened but coffee always had to have some type of sweetener. These days, depending on how good the coffee is, I will add either some half and half or heavy whipping cream but I've even gotten to the point of drinking regular good coffee black. I went through stages of cutting back on sweetener until I didn't need it anymore and actually prefer coffee without it. I have a couple diet sodas now and then but I can't have Aspartame anymore since it makes me ill so I have to watch what kind of artificial sweeteners are in things. I think the gradual approach to eliminating any kind of sweetener is the way to go. It's amazing how a persons palette can change over time.2 -
I am doing a bastardized version of the Bulletproof Coffee in that I am using "regular" coffee but then putting a nice chunk of KerryGold Butter in it along with 1/2 teaspoon of the Bulletproof "Brain Octane Oil". Not to be "TMI" (well, not possible with me....I am very blunt and matter-of-fact about these things) but I would honestly suggest that people using the Brain Octane Oil heed the warnings....start slow and build up! LOL! I really enjoy that....actually am liking it more than "normal" coffee!3
-
AKTipsyCat wrote: »I never thought I would come to enjoy my unsweetened coffee in the morning, but I do. I have yet to find a sugar substitute that doesn't taste weird once my taste buds got used to eating less sugar. If I need sweet, I have the real stuff, and it's amazing to me that I'm OK with a bite or two of a really rich dessert, and I can actually put my fork down because it's enough. My only downside is I can't experiment with a lot of cocktails anymore because they put way too much sweet in them... *sigh* I guess straight bourbon over ice it is... LOL
No No No don't give up cocktails!! Go somewhere they mix their own cocktails (no pre-mixes!) and just say you don't want the sugar syrup or whatever the sweet thing is they add. I love espresso martinis so I just say without sugar/honey and it works!
3 -
Here's a disconcerting one for you: Milk (particularly skim milk) actually tasting sweet.4
-
My latest one is Powerade zero. I was drinking that a lot in my first week or so, but now it’s like sugar water.1
-
Atkins treats...yes or no?0
-
-
Atkins treats...yes or no?
They're a "no" for me. Sugar alcohols do not agree with my digestive system and the last time I had an Atkins Bar (years ago) it contained sugar alcohols.
Some folks can eat things like Atkins bars and do ok. I'm not one of those people. They're too much like candy to me and candy (cookies, cakes, pies, ice cream, etc) are "trigger foods" to over eating for me. Same is true for Fritos, Cheetos, Doritos, etc which is why I also don't eat pork rinds. We're all different.1 -
I love atkins candy bar snacks , but I stay away from them because I want to eat all of them in a day LOL but they are good , the drinks are really good too but again to tasty , must stay away !! The meal replacement bars are kind of vitamin tasting , not as good but for a lunch or on the run it's a good thing .
0 -
Some folks can eat things like Atkins bars and do ok. I'm not one of those people. They're too much like candy to me and candy (cookies, cakes, pies, ice cream, etc) are "trigger foods" to over eating for me.^^ This exactly for me too - I need to stay away from real and pretend - they're both triggers ^^0
-
I'm in agreement with the above remarks on "sugar alcohols." I believe Atkins Harvest Trail bars (or some name like that) do not contain the sugar alcohols. I sometimes indulge in the lowest in sugar Kind bars; mostly nuts and a little dark chocolate.1
-
I like the Simply Protein and WheyProtein bars since they are fairly low in carbs and have ingredients you can recognize. A couple of them are sort of like 'rice krispie treats' (lemon coconut and apple cinnamon) but still contain decent servings of protein. I also really like the Simply Salt & Pepper protein chips.0
-
chinatowninchina wrote: »AKTipsyCat wrote: »I never thought I would come to enjoy my unsweetened coffee in the morning, but I do. I have yet to find a sugar substitute that doesn't taste weird once my taste buds got used to eating less sugar. If I need sweet, I have the real stuff, and it's amazing to me that I'm OK with a bite or two of a really rich dessert, and I can actually put my fork down because it's enough. My only downside is I can't experiment with a lot of cocktails anymore because they put way too much sweet in them... *sigh* I guess straight bourbon over ice it is... LOL
No No No don't give up cocktails!! Go somewhere they mix their own cocktails (no pre-mixes!) and just say you don't want the sugar syrup or whatever the sweet thing is they add. I love espresso martinis so I just say without sugar/honey and it works!
I second this. I never liked sweet "girly" cocktails to begin with, now I just ask for no sugary syrups to be added. And if you are going to pay cocktail prices, go ahead and do it where they do mix their own.
As for Atkins bars/shakes, for that matter any other brands, it is a no because of sugar alcohols. I tried Atkins when I first started going keto, I used and still do from time to time, their Atkins 20 foodie meal planner. I make my own fat bombs and any other treats myself to control what goes in them. Most are simple to do. Many can be kept frozen for emergency needs
0 -
For me, Atkins bars/ shakes were a slippery slope. The first time I did low carb I lost close to 40 pounds in 4 months. I planned all my meals and ate fresh, healthy foods. Then I started with the bars and shakes and lost my discipline. Then it was a hop, skip and jump to Fatkins. 80 pounds / 7 years later, I’m back. Things are going WAY slower, and I’m excited to be where I was when I first started, lol. Down only 28 since the beginning of the year, about 35 from my high point, but better than going in the opposite direction. Meal planning and real food for me is not optional.5
-
We are using the Atkins frozen dinners and I like that no matter what is going on with my day I KNOW there is a sensible meal in the freezer that we are doing ok with. NO cheating on the way home because I am not sure what is for dinner. But the Atkins shakes, bars and candies, are trigger foods. I will not eat just one so I stay away from those.2
-
I never had a super sweet tooth so sweets weren't my downfall. That being said I never thought I would be able to go without some sort of sweetener in my coffee and now I can't. Tried once and it tasted so awful. Same with sweet tea. Used to drink it all the time and I almost can't get it down now.
I like a piece of dark chocolate now and then, but milk chocolate is so super sweet I don't even like it anymore!
I do miss breads, pastas and french fries....LOL...but the few times I have eaten those things my stomach hasn't loved me at all. It's not worth it!
1 -
I honestly love Epic's meat bars. They do use sugar in some of their bars, (usually honey) but there are many that do not contain sugar. I also appreciate their efforts to use only grass fed meat whole foods in their bars and my personal favorites are the sriracha chicken and sea salt and pepper venison. I keep them around for when I'm traveling for work, and have usually one stashed in my desk and one in my car for when I'm ridiculous and haven't planned well for my day.0
-
I honestly love Epic's meat bars. They do use sugar in some of their bars, (usually honey) but there are many that do not contain sugar. I also appreciate their efforts to use only grass fed meat whole foods in their bars and my personal favorites are the sriracha chicken and sea salt and pepper venison. I keep them around for when I'm traveling for work, and have usually one stashed in my desk and one in my car for when I'm ridiculous and haven't planned well for my day.
Off to Google *meat bars* and places to find...0 -
AKTipsyCat wrote: »
Off to Google *meat bars* and places to find...
Careful. I feel like googling "meat bar" could return some NSFW results. 6 -
AKTipsyCat wrote: »
Off to Google *meat bars* and places to find...
Careful. I feel like googling "meat bar" could return some NSFW results.
OMG!!!!1 -
AKTipsyCat wrote: »
Off to Google *meat bars* and places to find...
Careful. I feel like googling "meat bar" could return some NSFW results.
1 -
I have stuck to my one rule for the last four years and that has worked out well to do keto.
I do not eat/drink any food containing added sugars and or any form of any grain.
3 -
I honestly love Epic's meat bars. They do use sugar in some of their bars, (usually honey) but there are many that do not contain sugar. I also appreciate their efforts to use only grass fed meat whole foods in their bars and my personal favorites are the sriracha chicken and sea salt and pepper venison. I keep them around for when I'm traveling for work, and have usually one stashed in my desk and one in my car for when I'm ridiculous and haven't planned well for my day.
I just wish I could find an Epic bar without berries or some other kind of fruit or honey... should be no carbs at all, otherwise it isn't really a meat bar.
Jerky is a similar story... there are varying amounts, but they all have something added for flavoring or preservatives that have carbs. Best I can do is find the very lowest carb count.
There are these Old Wisconsin brand beef sausage sticks that I love. They come in a re-sealable bag of 30 and are not refrigerated on the shelf. But there is a warning to refrigerate after opening (I don't always do that and have been fine). So I take these hiking and stuff a lot. The 1g of carb comes from dextrose based on the ingredient list. I assume this is used as a preservative. But that is about the best I've been able to find. Otherwise, I'll see some jerky with flavorings that cause a 1 oz. portion to have as much as 5g of carbs!1 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »I honestly love Epic's meat bars. They do use sugar in some of their bars, (usually honey) but there are many that do not contain sugar. I also appreciate their efforts to use only grass fed meat whole foods in their bars and my personal favorites are the sriracha chicken and sea salt and pepper venison. I keep them around for when I'm traveling for work, and have usually one stashed in my desk and one in my car for when I'm ridiculous and haven't planned well for my day.
I just wish I could find an Epic bar without berries or some other kind of fruit or honey... should be no carbs at all, otherwise it isn't really a meat bar.
Jerky is a similar story... there are varying amounts, but they all have something added for flavoring or preservatives that have carbs. Best I can do is find the very lowest carb count.
There are these Old Wisconsin brand beef sausage sticks that I love. They come in a re-sealable bag of 30 and are not refrigerated on the shelf. But there is a warning to refrigerate after opening (I don't always do that and have been fine). So I take these hiking and stuff a lot. The 1g of carb comes from dextrose based on the ingredient list. I assume this is used as a preservative. But that is about the best I've been able to find. Otherwise, I'll see some jerky with flavorings that cause a 1 oz. portion to have as much as 5g of carbs!
That sounds like my Duke's smoked pork shorty sausages from WalMart that have 1 gram of sugar per two links.
Them and almonds make great non stop driving meals. 0
