[Jayla77]

So, I've been eating low-fat and low-carb as part of my new diet, and here's the problem:

I am a server, so my last meal is usually eaten about 5 pm, right before I get started at work. Last night, I ate a salad for my meal and I was FREAKING STARVING all night! That's no good because I then eat when I get home, around 11 or 12. BAD! So... my question is what can I eat that will be filling but not fattening? (I work in a restaurant that serves a lot of cajun food, lots of cream, meat, and other assorted fats) Any suggestions?

[BIGtimeLOSER]

What about a smaller sized portion of whatever they serve that you like with the salad? Or meat with the salad without any heavy sauces? Salads alone usually don't fill me up without the protein that goes with it. You need a good balanced meal for energy to be a server. I am losing very well in my first week just by cutting out sweets and cutting my portions, no restrictive diet for me!! I have lost 5 pounds since starting the Easter Challenge on Thursday!!

As long as you are staying on track the rest of the day, I'd just have a small meal and enjoy. Seems to be a better option than eating at 11 or 12 again!!

Good luck!

[MotivatedQueen]

Meat is very filling and takes longer to digest so some grilled Chkn is a great snack. You didn't indicate however what you are eating for the first part of your day before going to work? Maybe you could incorp some foods that are rich in fiber to keep you full longer.
And you are performing a difficult task. Low Fat and Low Carb? That is a tough one. On a low carb diet you need the "Fat" to help you make it through the day because you are not eating enough carbs. Low Fat you need the carbs to substain yourself through the day because you are without the Fat that you crave. Double ended burning candle....So I am thinking that these two are butting heads....like oil and water don't mix. Again it is hard for me to say without seeing a whole daily menu. I would say that you would need to find some non-glycemic foods, high fiber foods and you should be eating COMPLEX carbs. **Please understand that I was on a low carb regimine for nearly three years off and on. After losing 46 pounds and then gaining 55 back after two years....... I realized that I couldn't live on meat, cheese, eggs and grn veggies for life. I knew that my body needed some carbs and then that is when I discovered that complex carbs filled with fiber were the "missing link" to my diet and hunger.

Just a suggestion. Good Luck!
MQ

[DonnaD]

Hi! I am new to this thread. I was lurking around and decided "support" was a good place to look. I agree with MQ that some complex high fiber would help. If you have the control, maybe you could bring some whole wheat triscuits to work. Just put a serving in a baggie(serving is approx 7) that way you get some high fiber complex carbs without eating bread. Even whole wheat and rye breads could have reg enriched flour which breaks down too quickly. Unless you can see the ingredient list, bread is tricky. But if you bring it with you, such as the triscuits or wasa crisps you should be ok. Pump up the protein since you are active at work. I hope that helps. If I practiced what I speak then I'd be in much better condition then I am currently in.
Well, and that's for letting me jump in.

[Jayla77]

I'm not really on what I would call a restrictive diet. I don't think I'm really on a diet, at all- we just decided that we should not let our busy schedules dictate that we eat pre-fab foods all day long. We are really trying to change our lifestyle. My husband and I both LOVE veggies, not big meat-eaters (i could probably go all-vegetarian, i think), and we're trying to watch the fat intake. As far as carbs go, I'm still eating them, but understand that my very favorite foods are: pasta, bread, rice, etc. So i've had to cut down a lot. My restaurant has a Weight Watchers menu, that includes lots of broiled fish, and steamed veggies, so I'll see if I can handle anything on that menu.
For the rest of the day, I usually don't eat breakfast. I KNOW that's bad, but I'm just not hungry in the mornings. I LOVE coffee, so I usually just have a cup of coffee in the morning. Joe and I are really hungry by lunchtime, so I make a pretty big lunch: today's lunch was Veggie cheeseburgers and sauted veggies(olive oil, only). I haven't been snacking, either, which is amazing because I LOVE to munch! By the way, I am starting out this journey at 5'7", 220 lbs. (all time high!)

Thanks for the advice, ladies, I won't be so hard on myself!