Hi There,

I've been TRYING to lose weight for what seems like years now ... basically counting calories. However, my weight just keeps yo-yoing ... lose a few then gain a few. I've always thought that low fat was the best way to do it and filled up on pasta, rice, potatoes etc. However, I've been reading articles in the press over the past couple of weeks that say I've probably been doing it wrong all these years I must confess that I do alwasy feel bloated, sluggish, tired all the time. I really do believe now that I should be eating a low carb diet. I've looked into the Atkins diet and to be honest I know that it is too strict for me. Can anyone give me any guidelines about where to start with a low carb diet ... do's & don'ts etc.? After all these years of eating the wrong things I really haven't got a clue where to begin What sort of things should I be eating for breakfast, lunch & dinner? Does it matter how many calories I consume each day or should I forget about them? What foods should I stay away from? Any help that you can give me will be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Nichola

there are many others who are far wiser on this topic than i am, and they'll be around, most likely tomorrow. but for starters, focus on protein: seafood, tofu, chicken, beef, pork whatever you can find. don't bother with rice, noodles, those wonderful fried cruller things you can get on the street, pancakes, etc. they're not a food group for you for awhile.

and you can add certain vegetables as well. generally the leafy green ones. limit the fruit. limit your caffeine, especially if that's the only thing you drink. focus on water.

and hang out with us!!! please???

An easy thing to remember is not to eat anything WHITE!!! That means sugar, flour, potatoes, rece, bread etc. it's really not as hard as it seem when first start out. And the beauty of lcarbing is you get to the point where you don't miss it.

Hello Nichola! For now, I would suggest going over to the faq in this forum and read all about low carb. Within the month we will have a large section posted on the site all about low carb and low glycemic diets, with comparison features to pick a plan, written by some of the chicks here! Do you have a general idea of what kind of low carb plan you want to do? What I mean is hardcore low carb, or something with whole grain carbs, etc.
Glad you're here!

Jennifer

Thank you girls for your quick replies I really do want to get started on this low carb thing straight away. I've been reading through all the various threads and everyone seems to be doing really well with whatever low carb plan they are on ... I'm convinced it's got to be the right way.

Jennifer, I haven't decided on a particular plan ... just wanted to get a few things straight in my mind first of all. As I explained it's the first time I've ever considered a low carb plan so it's all very new to me. After years of being told to eat low fat and fill-up on pasta, rice, potatoes, etc. and knowing the calorie value of just about everything, it's going to be quite an adjustment for me. I suppose I should go and buy myself a good low carb book so that I know all the good things to eat. I've checked out the faq and it was most helpful, thanks.

I'm going shopping this morning to stock up on the protein foods that jiffypop suggested ... but what should I eat with them now that I'm not going to be eating all the potatoes, pasta etc.? How do I know which veggies/fruit are good or bad? Sorry about all the questions, but I really do want to get it right this time

Thanks.

Nichola.

Sorry about this girls ... a few more questions Am I allowed to drink alcohol?? What about tea/coffee and canned drinks? Also, does anyone know of a website maybe that lists the carb values of various foods? I've checked the values on the labels in the supermarket but how do I know what the carb values are of other foods such as meat, veggies, fruit, cheese, etc.? Thanks again for any advice you can give me.

Nichola.

Hi Nichola
Here's a site that I just found and thought it might help you. It is a list of foods and their carb count. I haven't had a chance to see how accurate it is, but I'm sure it's a good place to start.
www.enteract.com/~jldavid/lowcarb/carbcount.html
~~~Sil
137/123/120

I'll try to remember some things from my book that are okay to eat, but it's too early yet! I'll get back to you this afternoon.

As for alcohol, it's the first thing your body burns for fuel before the food you eat at the same time. A lot of people have differing opinions on this one.

Tea or coffee is okay, make it caffeine free if you can, and sweetened with Splenda instead of sugar. Diet drinks are okay in moderation. Make sure you are drinking lots of water. There are so many benefits from drinking water! It keeps you full, it helps flush out all the baddies from weight loss, and you will feel wonderful if you're fully hydrated!

I'll get back to you later on the no-no's of fruits and veggies. Have a good day!

On veggies, if it is a fruit or a root, it has more carbs than if it is a leaf or a stem.
Tomatoes and carrots have more carbs than spinach and celery.
On fruits, berries are the lowest carb choices.
That's a start anyhow.

Hi Fat in Hong Kong and welcome

I am currently doing the Suzanne Somers program which is also low-carb and her books tell you not to eat corn ( considered a starch) and beets and carrots as they fall under the sugar category ( I guess the natural sugars in these can spike your insulin) also bananas are considered a carbohydrate and you can't eat those on her plan either.

You also can't eat white rice or white flour products either. Stick to whole wheat products, like brown bread, whole wheat pasta and brown rice but in limited quantities. You can drink decaf coffee or teas sweetened with splenda and all the water you like of course. Diet soft drinks are okay too but she suggests you drink them in moderation.

There is a lot more to the plan than I can write here but you can visit her website a www.suzannesomers.com. if you are interested.

You should check out the sites the other low-carbers mentioned and see what would be suitable for you and your lifestyle.

Good luck!

I am fairly new to this myself (just over 3 weeks). I am doing Atkins, but other low carb diets say you can have 30 carbs a day. Atkins starts you off on 20 a day for two weeks then you get more when you want. I would go to your local library or bookstore, there are tons of books you can look at on this topic!
good luck to you~~
laura

Thanks for all the info, you've been most helpful. I'll check out the sites mentioned today.

Nichola.