Lowering carbs

FattieBeGone
FattieBeGone Posts: 25 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
hi,
I think I need to lower the number of carbs I eat. I've always loved carbs, seriously you can put almost anything between some bread and I'll be happy , so it won't be too easy but I know I eat too many. I've been vergetarian for about two and a half years now so I'm also finding I maybe rely on carbs too much (but at least it is wholegrain carbs for the most part)and I need to vary my diet.

Can anyone give me some suggestions of how to lower my carb intake, for example how to bulk up my meals with other things so I don't feel hungry. I also want to start some form of strength toning since I've lost the bulk of the weight that I want to lose but am venturing into "skinny fat" territory, and with summer approaching that is particularly bad, so I need to up my protein .
Thanks!

Replies

  • dannyboy0487
    dannyboy0487 Posts: 9
    Bread replacement... like Crispbreads, Rice Cakes, Ryvita....

    Trouble is... they all taste like cardboard and (for me) don't give you the satisfaction bread does....

    I have been eating bread but drastically cut it down from like 6 slices a day to just 1 or 2 slices so i still get my bread fix.
  • naomi8888
    naomi8888 Posts: 519 Member
    I found that I really struggled to eat much protein when I was vegetarian. I started eating eggs and seafood which I'm not sure if you would want to do. I make a great shake which contains 37g protein (link below). It sounds really weird but I made it for my boyfriend and didn't tell him what was in it and he loved it. If you have that for breakfast you've got a great start for the day.

    Also things like Quorn products and edamame, tofu, tempeh, seiten...

    http://dashingdish.com/recipe/dashing-dish-official-protein-shake/
  • kaleas
    kaleas Posts: 200
    Instead of wraps, I just have salad. Instead of my toast or english muffin with my breakfast, I would make omelettes or scrambles that were filling enough without it. On days I bike, I may still eat a bagel with peanut butter, but otherwise I've drastically tried to cut back on my carbs.

    Order veggie burgers without the bun or half the bun.
    It's summer so cut back on your pasta intake.
    Keep away from junk food and try to eat whole and raw food as much as possible.

    Don't be afraid of carbs though. They give you the energy you need to exercise.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    a combination of oily / fatty protein sources and low carb low GI vegetables can make for low carb filling meals.

    I'm not vegetarian but avocado and nuts spring to mind as higher fat low carb options.

    There are some breads made with seeds etc - soya and linseed for example, but they're still fairly high in carbs as bread is a carbohydrate concept. Bread replacements are also usually >40% carbs.
  • april_beth
    april_beth Posts: 616 Member
    I found that I really struggled to eat much protein when I was vegetarian. I started eating eggs and seafood which I'm not sure if you would want to do. I make a great shake which contains 37g protein (link below). It sounds really weird but I made it for my boyfriend and didn't tell him what was in it and he loved it. If you have that for breakfast you've got a great start for the day.

    Also things like Quorn products and edamame, tofu, tempeh, seiten...

    http://dashingdish.com/recipe/dashing-dish-official-protein-shake/

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS LINK!!! sorry, didnt mean to yell...thats just how happy i am - and i just printed it too :)
  • EmBlazes
    EmBlazes Posts: 374 Member
    I found that eating a lot of refined carbs made me REALLY hungry. Having more simple carbs (veggies and salad) with each meal fills me up more and I tried to up my protein more. I found being a veggie really hard in terms of trying to reduce carbs so I am not one anymore. Don't forget about good fats like olive oil, avocado and nuts, some of which are also good sources of protein.

    Salads are great - you can make a really satisfying veggie salad if you plan in advance. When travelling I like protein bars or shakes (good for when there are few healthy alternatives around).

    Good luck :bigsmile:
  • blazergrad
    blazergrad Posts: 603 Member
    I found that I really struggled to eat much protein when I was vegetarian. I started eating eggs and seafood which I'm not sure if you would want to do. I make a great shake which contains 37g protein (link below). It sounds really weird but I made it for my boyfriend and didn't tell him what was in it and he loved it. If you have that for breakfast you've got a great start for the day.

    Also things like Quorn products and edamame, tofu, tempeh, seiten...

    http://dashingdish.com/recipe/dashing-dish-official-protein-shake/


    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS LINK!!! sorry, didnt mean to yell...thats just how happy i am - and i just printed it too :)

    I second that! Those are some GREAT sounding protein shake recipes on that page .... can't wait to try some. Thanks for posting it!!
  • sfb2510
    sfb2510 Posts: 28
    Replace it with chicken (breast grilled, or stuffed with low fat cheese, garlic herbs), fish and red meat (with fat removed), Quorn products. Reduce breads, pasta etc to a few times a week only. You'll see the difference not only on the scales, but you will feel better too!

    Good luck x
  • LatinaGordita
    LatinaGordita Posts: 377 Member
    I try to keep carbs under 100 grams or 30% carbs. I recently changed my diet from a lacto ovo veggie to a pescetarian diet. However my fish intake is seldom. As a lacto ovo I also consumed many carbs. I currently eat high protein-eggs, nuts, protein (whey) shakes, morning star, tofu. I have bread maybe a couple times a week.
  • stylistchik
    stylistchik Posts: 1,436 Member
    I found that eating a lot of refined carbs made me REALLY hungry. Having more simple carbs (veggies and salad) with each meal fills me up more and I tried to up my protein more. I found being a veggie really hard in terms of trying to reduce carbs so I am not one anymore. Don't forget about good fats like olive oil, avocado and nuts, some of which are also good sources of protein.

    Salads are great - you can make a really satisfying veggie salad if you plan in advance. When travelling I like protein bars or shakes (good for when there are few healthy alternatives around).

    Good luck :bigsmile:

    Refined and simple carbs are the same thing. i think I understand that complex carbs fill you up more but it was a little confusing and probably very confusing to someone who is new to this.
  • FR89
    FR89 Posts: 186 Member
    i have the same prob - althought i am not a vegetarian but i do love my carbs! mostly i end up having bread in some shape or form for all 3 meals! sad! 5 foods that i eat a lot are bread, rice, pasta, potato and cheese!!!! mostly all my meals have atleast one of the 5.. if not more.. for example.. i had cheese toastie and chips for lunch! ..

    id love any alternative to bread but i'll always :heart: bread! x
  • FattieBeGone
    FattieBeGone Posts: 25 Member
    I found that I really struggled to eat much protein when I was vegetarian. I started eating eggs and seafood which I'm not sure if you would want to do. I make a great shake which contains 37g protein (link below). It sounds really weird but I made it for my boyfriend and didn't tell him what was in it and he loved it. If you have that for breakfast you've got a great start for the day.

    Also things like Quorn products and edamame, tofu, tempeh, seiten...

    http://dashingdish.com/recipe/dashing-dish-official-protein-shake/

    That site looks great. Thanks so much!
  • FattieBeGone
    FattieBeGone Posts: 25 Member
    Thanks for the suggestions. I sometimes think I'm addicted to carbs!
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    I found that eating a lot of refined carbs made me REALLY hungry. Having more simple carbs (veggies and salad) with each meal fills me up more and I tried to up my protein more.
    Good luck :bigsmile:
    Just to clarify,.... breads/rice/pasta/corn are simple carbs, vegetables (almost all of them), are complex carbs.
  • stylistchik
    stylistchik Posts: 1,436 Member
    I am also a vegetarian and I have tried adding more protein to EVERY meal, even snacks. Protein powder and protein bars are my bff and they keep me from craving weird stuff which is nice. I also eat probably 2 big salads every day with lots of colorful veggies, tempeh or tofu, and nuts. It's not easy but it has given me a lot more energy and faster results. I still keep my carbs around 100-150 grams per day so it's not super low.
  • lkcuts
    lkcuts Posts: 224
    I like Aunt Millies whole grain light bread its only 35 cal per slice, has no high frutose sugar, no real perseritives, so I keep it in the fridge.

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