Newbie...need some advice please :o) [Archive] - Low Carb Forum

Miestar

20-02-2006, 10:07 AM

Hello all. Hubby and I have been on a Low Carb diet for the past 3 weeks. We have been quite enjoying it so far, to start the diet I bought a couple of books from Ebay being:

How Much Carb, How Much Protein, it is a simple little pocket style book which I found easy to read and follow, it basically said you can have 20g of carb a day.

and then; Low Carb Made Easy which I have also read.

The first week we both lost 3kg, the next week 2kg, now we both seem to have put on a kilo or two each :(

I'm waiting on a few Atkins books to see if I'm doing anything wrong, hubby is now basically at his goal weight, so he will have to change his food a tad, but I still have alot to loose.

What I'm doing:

Breakfast was a corn thin = 3.9 g carbs, with some melted cheese approx 100g, some melted some solid and a few slices of ham.

Lunch a can of tuna, or some cheese and ham, or salami etc.,

Sometimes an afternoon snack of some pinenuts but this would only be at most 1 carb.

Dinner was where I really had my carbs, I'd have meat and then broccoli, zuccini, cauliflower steamed, or tomato salad with fetta etc., pretty much I'd get to 20g carbs for the day, but most of it was in the evening meal with salads or vegies containing carbs etc.

I have not been counting calories, and the amount of meat consumed, it is more than I'd normally have but thought that it was not important as it was protein?

The last week as I'm not much of a breakfast person, I bought the Atkin Chocolate Shake which I've been having with water and then lunch, and since starting the shake I've put on?

Anyone got any advice, I don't want to go off the diet as it fits in quite well so far with hubby and I. Also have not used any of those ketostick thingies which I've read a bit about, should I maybe get some and see if I'm burning the fat???

Also what can be done for the lack of pooping...used to be regular like clockwork daily, but now have not been as regular, bought some senna tablets but they don't seem to be working much, hubby is worse, but do you poop less on this type of diet because your not eating as much cereal based products, just curious because I know when buying expensive dog food for the dog it is more meat based product and he don't poop as much (is a rottweiler, so poop can be big) lol. Just curious :)

Miestar

20-02-2006, 10:22 AM

E-bay is wonderful, I won a package of 4 Atkins books they are:

Dr Atkins New Diet Cookbook (yellowish colour cover)

Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (yellowish colour cover)

Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (says Completely Updated Version) (white colour cover)

Dr Atkins New Carbohydrate Gram Counter (white cover)

Just wondering which I should read first??

Sherrie

20-02-2006, 10:33 AM

Welcome Miestar :)

The last week as I'm not much of a breakfast person, I bought the Atkin Chocolate Shake which I've been having with water and then lunch, and since starting the shake I've put on?

I know its from atkins but your right to trust your instincts and ditch the powder!

I like the atkins diet itself but when it comes to the food they sell its another story.

That said alot have had protein shakes(Max Muscle is a popular one) without any problems myself included but I don't recall anyone having the atkins.You could stop it a few days and see what happens?

Also another thought, are you having it with milk? Having shakes with milk on most LC diets is a big nono. You need to mix it with water and if allowed maybe a tablespoon of full fat cream.

Another thing, if you want to do atkins, corn is not allowed.

I liked the ketosticks when I first started so sure go ahead. Bare in mind they can be just as bad as scales for some people so be prepared to ditch them if you find them messing with you but otherwise they can be a very good tool.

In regards to the pooping department, alot of people find flax/coconut oil gets them going good. Also make sure you drink plenty of water as dehydration can constipate you. If you add something like psyllium(sp?) husks make sure you have an extra glass of water with them as they absorb alot of water in your bowels.

Heres a good link for atkins induction: http://www.titanic.kn-bremen.de/induction.html

Sherrie

20-02-2006, 10:39 AM

Hmm the atkins diet revolution I have, has a white colour, not sure on the yellow one.

Is that the new illustrated cookbook? If it is its a really good one.

Id read the diet revolution then the cookbook.

One word of advice is when they work out carb counts in america they subtract the fibre from their carb counts to get the final total. When you work with aussie values like on a product label don't do this as its already done for you meaning we don't include fibre in our carb counts when printing out nutritional info on our labels etc...

Hope I've helped and not confused you more hehe :)

melvan

20-02-2006, 11:01 AM

Hi Miestar, welcome to POH :)

do you poop less on this type of diet because your not eating as much cereal based products

My husband and I find the answer is yes :) It seems to me less time spent on the toilet means your body is using more of the food you eat.

Miestar

20-02-2006, 01:58 PM

Hi thanks for your responses.

The Atkins powder I am mixing with water, it is quite a thin drink, quite an okay taste, yeah might try ditching...unfortunately I just got home from shopping, lol bought two more cans of the stuff :eek: :confused:

Regarding the water, on some days I've been drinking 3 litres of water, the first week I seemed to go into high temp mode, and was always really thirsty, but I am trying for 2 each day but on a few days have gone 3 litres :D

Have not got my Atkins book yet, they should be here within a day or so, was just curious which one to read first, I'll advice which ones they are exactly when they arrive...which will be good, more information :)

You mention the "Max Muscle" protein shakes, where would they be available for purchase?

Thanks for all your advise :D

Sherrie

20-02-2006, 02:24 PM

Max's Muscle are available in most health food stores. If you ever want to buy those type of things online you'll probably find www.cityhealth.com.au the cheapest.

Yeah, I know the white cover is fine, if the yellow one is more recent it might be a bit dodgy as it could be from the atkins nutritional people which are all about selling atkins products...

Miestar

20-02-2006, 02:49 PM

Re: the Max Muscle...which one in particular...had a bit of a look and there seem to be quite an assortment...is one in particular better??? :confused: :confused: :confused:

Sherrie

20-02-2006, 03:09 PM

Miestar scratch the max's I was looking at their site(www.aminoactive.com.au) and they have changed them all, all of them looked to have aspartame and I wouldn't reccomend that.

Optimum Nutrition is another one that was clean and I'm pretty sure atleast one of their lines used stevia might have been something like optimum nutrition 100% natural whey.

Sherrie

20-02-2006, 03:20 PM

PS: You will have to excuse me I had a baby last year and am still feeding so I havn't bought these kind of things for some time hehe

Miestar

20-02-2006, 03:50 PM

Thanks for that, yes I know about the breastfeeding, I did it for 18 months :p and during that time I didn't drink alcohol, have caffeine etc., and rarely took any medication. But I was always so hungry, think that is partly to blame for increased weight, was hard to try and cut back (always was already overweight) after stopping feeding as was so used to eating the extra without it being of harm as baby was sucking it out of me.

Sherrie

20-02-2006, 05:00 PM

I don't get hungry alot except lately I noticed I am right before TOM. But boy am I thirsty!!!

I hope that doesn't happen especially as I am really enjoying my breakfast now and will probably be reluctant to drop it after.

Although in other ways I'm looking forward to having the option to be able to do some of the things to lose weight if I need.

Moonie

20-02-2006, 07:06 PM

Hello Miestar, welcome to the forum..:)

Sherrie

21-02-2006, 09:29 AM

Oh and how could I forget, Goliath make yummy protein powders too. I loved their choc mint, really nice.
My only hesitation is they always took me out of K (only by the sticks though) I never gained water weight or anything from it which would happen if truly out of ketosis. If their nutritional label is correct it is the lowest carb powder you'll probably find and definately the yummiest!

Also I forgot to mention protein powders are very low in calories and pretty much just protein so always have 20 ml of flax or coconut oil with it so its more satisfying for longer.

Moonie

23-02-2006, 07:51 PM

Oh and how could I forget, Goliath make yummy protein powders too. I loved their choc mint, really nice
They have changed their formular..the old one had 0.35g of carbs, but they weren't happy with the whey protein isolate and some of the other ingredients..

The new formular is 1.9g of carbs per 30g serve..

They have one especially for women now too in a 500g tub..
http://www.goliaths.com.au/products/WPI90_ForHer.htm

Sherrie

25-02-2006, 09:57 AM

Hey Miestar did your books come in yet?

Miestar

01-03-2006, 04:06 PM

The books, don't talk to me about the books...no they are not here yet :mad:

But in the meantime I have purchased also from Ebay an Atkins kit or something, which I am hoping to be here in the next few days...not sure what has happened with the others, they were coming from USA.

But I'm plodding along, bought some Ketostiks and well the first day I bought them I peed that many times and tested and they never changed colour. :confused:

Next day tried again, got to the second colour :)

Tried again the other day and got to the 3rd last colour and last night did it again and got to the second last colour :D :D so that was pretty exciting.

Am still not 100% sure with eating what etc., I have been cutting out carbs, but am not sure then how much protein to eat...if that makes sense, don't want to stuff myself stupid and not loose weight by eating a mountain of protein unnecessarily :(

Sherrie

01-03-2006, 04:11 PM

Miestar your more then welcome to write down what you eat and we can tell you if anything looks wrong, you might want to put it in a diary here, up to you!

With the books I just got a bunch of books from Amazon, took about a months, last month I bought some dvds from amazon for my other half which took a week or two longer again.

Its great your getting colour on the sticks already, don't worry about which shade, as long as it looks pink/purple everything is good!

How are you feeling?

Miestar

01-03-2006, 04:38 PM

Okay I shall work on the what I'm eating, but can't right now, about to go and cook.

Yes the wait for the books is a killer, but I'm hoping they are not lost in transit.

I have been feeling pretty good, apart from last week. When I was pregnant over 4 years ago, I had a bit of an eating fest at Easter and ended up having a Gall Bladder attack, first one I'd had, had ultrasound and showed I have what's referred to as sludge, it is not stones yet, but like sand if that makes sense if you know anything about Gall Bladders. Anyhow about 2 years after that time I had another attack when we were living in Brisbane, think it too was also because we had been eating out alot, were there for business and it was a social thing to do quite often, anyhow had another attack last Tuesday night, so that was another 2 years gap again. I think it was from what I'd eaten, but for a few days I went back to carb type food to feel better...i.e., banana, dry biscuits etc. But got back on the wagon again as soon as I felt better, which was only a few days.

My hubby is doing well also, he is down to 80kg, he is 6'2", but he isn't loosing any more weight, but feels like things are fitting different, he rides his bike 40km a day to and from work, so think all the protein, previously we ate lots of pasta, rice and vegies, with small amounts of meat...I think all the protein he is now turning into bulked up hulk man in the muscle department. Years ago he went on a gym binge with a friend and was taking protein powders then and he bulked right up in a nice lean muscular way. So he is wrapped with this way of eating. Also he often used to fall asleep straight after eating, kinda sounds like he might be a bit hypoglycaemic (not sure of spelling) but now he lasts for an hour or two after, mind you he does do long hours at work and it is all brain work so he does get tired, but has been feeling more content, less hungry etc, after eating more proteins and cutting the carbs.

:)

Sherrie

01-03-2006, 04:45 PM

Sounds like a great way of eating for him and I bet your going to enjoy the benefits hes reaping! ;) :p :D

My mum had to have her gall bladder taken out years ago.

Fingers crossed your books arrive soon!

Miestar

06-03-2006, 04:47 PM

Ahhh still waiting for my Atkins books via mail.

Although I did also purchase from E-bay from someone else an Atkins Kit for Life, but that's for after I loose the poundage:rolleyes:

I did go shopping today and I went looking for a different Protein Shake. I looked in one shop for the Golliath type that was recommended but they didn't have it, although they gave me free two samples of another type which they sell.

Ended up at another shop and they had the Golliath WP190 product, so I got some of that in chocolate and mocha and am looking forward to trying it.

Is a protein shake a good meal replacement or is it more an inbetween meal thing to do? Or what about one before bed to keep the ketones kicking over during the night?

Sherrie

06-03-2006, 05:30 PM

Make sure you add a tablespoon of oil to it like flax, or coconut as theres not many calories, going by memory a typical protien shake mixed in water is only 100-120 calories which isn't much plus that oil will slow down the absorbtion of the protein which is important as protein can still spike your insulin.

If your sensitive to fat, add it in slowly.

Don't worry about one before bed, no food just before bed is even better to encourage ketosis.

While you are waiting for your books have you looked here? http://www.atkins.com/articles/atkins-phases

Sherrie

11-03-2006, 09:17 AM

Hey I was reading a book last night and this little bit on Gallbladder ailments reminded me of you:

"Eat Fat Lose Fat, Dr Mary Enig, Sally Fallon

Coconut oil is the ideal fat for those suffering from gallbladder ailments because most of the fatty acids in coconut oil do not require bile for digestion.

Conventional medical thinking says that if you have stones in your gallbladder, it is dit does the presence of gallstones really mean the gallbladder is diseased?

Let's take a closer look. When we eat fat, the gallbladder releases bile into the digestive tract to break the fat down into absorbable fatty acids. The gallbladder acts as a holding tank for the bile, which is secreted by the liver and is made out of cholesterol.

In our view, the presence of gallstones means that your body has increased its reservoiur of cholesterol. If you have low cholesterol, your body needs such a reservoir on hand because it cannot be assured of getting adequate cholesterol from the bloodstream. Thus, it's actually counterproductive to reduce the fat in your diet, for this would only increase the body's tendency to store fat and hence to form gallstones. Instead, the best way to eliminate gallstones is to give your gallbladder the cholesterol it needs by eating adequate amounts of animal fats.

But it's crusial to eat the right fats. when people eat a lot of vegetable oils and trans fats, the gallbladder can become infalamed easily. That's yet another reason why eliminating those fats is so important. And when someone misguidedly follows a low-fat diet, the gallbladder stops working, still another harmful effect of the low-fat diets we've all been told are so healthy."

You can find more of their stuff on www.westonaprice.org aswell

Miestar

15-03-2006, 10:55 AM

Thanks for that Sherrie, sounds interesting. Coconut oil, I presume that would be available at health food shop? or supermarket?

Kinda sounds like me, when I've been cholesterol blood tested before its always been low.

One thing I wanted to ask, when its "that time of the month" does the body i.e., insulin production work differently?? Was curious as the body has different hormones happening at that time, can it effect the weight loss??

Sherrie

15-03-2006, 11:04 AM

Oh yes definately, you can get cravings, some even temporarily go out of ketosis for a few days to a week despite being real good, plus most of us retain fluid to the point of not only hiding your losses but causing weight gain. But that said as soon as TOM (Time Of Month) passes it goes and you usually weigh less. Remember, aslong as your eating like normal don't worry about it.

You'll find coconut oil in any health food shop, go for unrefined and undeodorised coconut which is classed as virgin coconut oil I think. Organic is the same too except apparently it doesn't need to be organic as the coconut trees generally arn't sprayed anyway. So aslong as its unrefined and undeodorised your set!

Sherrie

15-03-2006, 11:10 AM

Hah it just dawned on me, when I was pregnant I had very low cholesterol all the way through and I gained heaps of weight no matter what I ate. Maybe thats why!!!

Interesting....

Sherrie

15-03-2006, 03:22 PM

LOL I don't know what drugs I was on this morning LOL I never had low cholesterol I had low blood pressure ROFL

Hehe might be because I only had a few hours sleep last night!

Miestar

24-03-2006, 09:50 AM

Well they must of been good drugs Sherry :D

Ahhh sorry for my lapse in time responding, I have been a tad busy.

Well an update: the books I was waiting for the package of 4 have not arrived yet :( but good old paypal gave me a refund today so I'm quite happy, and because I was of the opinion they were never coming I bought another from ebay in the meantime. So I have the New Atkins Revolution book, it is the 1999 copy, so think it is either his 2nd or 3rd version, but don't think much has changed.

So the past few days I've been reading it busily.

I've come to the conclusion that I am in a quite metabolic disadvantage (something like that), therefore I've put myself onto the 14 day induction the past 2 days and cut out a couple of things I was having and adjusted my vegetable intake, think I need to have a bit less that is stated and it has worked, last 2 days eating tuna, cheese, eggs, chicken, bok choy, broccoli have lost just over or on 1kg :D :D :D . I have put my Protein shakes aside for now (although I do enjoy them) and forcing myself to eat something instead of a shake.

One thing I wanted to ask, in the list of allowable food it says things like sliced meats i.e., I presume ham, salami etc., are exceptions? Does this mean you can have or can't? Didn't quite understand that bit.

And hubbys update, well he hasn't been loosing anymore weight, he is having Freedom Foods museli think it is for breakfast (which has fixed his fibre intake problem), lunch is same as we ate for dinnr night before, so meat and some vegies or egg etc., and then he has dinner. He rides his bike to work so it is a 40km round trip, but he as I said has began to bulk up, and when he was out of his bike gear last night I noticed the stomach area, he is beginning to form what they call on US tv shows a 6 pack, which he was very proud of when I pointed it out to him:D .

Also I bought yesterday some new vitamins Bioglan brand, Low Carb Multi, CarbWise complete multivitamin for Low Carb Dieters. Have you ever heard or tried these? Or are there another type you might think would be better??

So many questions all at once, lol. :confused:

Sherrie

24-03-2006, 11:16 AM

Sliced meats are generally okay, the reason I don't eat them is because they are very processed and can have alot of crap in them etc but up to you. Might be worth it to begin with while you get into the swing of it then get rid of them later if you want. Just keep an eye on them to make sure they don't have an effect on you.

If your husbands going to have a meusli ( I take it hes not doing induction?) then get him to look out for one with oats, nuts and seeds, coconut and maybe some honey too (if he can get away with it) but avoid the ones with other cereals and especially dried fruit in them. I find its much more nutritous and tolerable that way, I make my own, very yummy.

6 pack, how lovely!

Swisse multivitamin with no iron is a good one. They have ones for men too. If your eating a typical low carb diet that contains lots of red meat then iron in supplements is not required.

Let me know if I missed anything?

Moonie

24-03-2006, 06:19 PM

One thing I wanted to ask, in the list of allowable food it says things like sliced meats i.e., I presume ham
The Adelphi Ham is best and the shoulder or leg ham on the bone.much better than the sandwich ham sold sliced...

Miestar

26-03-2006, 03:28 PM

Thanks for that Moonstruck, was kinda thinking that myself the ham off the bone option.

I have another question, hubby is now wanting to get some type of Protein shake, just as an extra to have while he is at work...we had a little look yesterday at the health food shop, but there are so many :confused: it is confusing. The one I bought myself was the Golliath WP?? for women the other week.

Is there a particular one that is good for men, or what should it NOT contain, and what should it contain etc. Hubby doesn't need to loose anymore weight, he is just wanting maybe to work on that 6 pack I told him about, lol :D

P.S. I have not been having my shakes the past week, thought I'd see how I go without, and eating more instead. I did buy some coconut oil yesterday, can I ask when I do goto mix some with my protein shake as previously recommended, how??? it looks quite solid in a jar. Do you melt it first? eat on a teaspoon? and I read somewhere it could be taken instead of the psyllium husks. How would you do that, a teaspoon??

Moonie

26-03-2006, 04:26 PM

I did buy some coconut oil yesterday, can I ask when I do goto mix some with my protein shake as previously recommended, how??? it looks quite solid in a jar. Do you melt it first? eat on a teaspoon? I have been asking the same question, and it seems if you leave it out of the fridge it is liquid at room temperature..You can eat it off the spoon too it seems..

Read this thread..
http://www.apinchofhealth.com/forum/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2198

p.s if you like the Goliath for Women, maybe hubby can try the Goliath WPI for men...I like Goliath because they blend so easy..

Sherrie

26-03-2006, 05:23 PM

Yeah Goliath WPI would be fine for him, it can used straight after any weights he does.

Speaking of protein powders and coconut milk I got an email today advertising tubs of coconut milk powders, trying to find their website to find out more info.

Keep in mind it might pay to use water that is not from the fridge when mixing protein shake with coconut oil incase it hardens. I've got a couple of books with coconut shake recipes I'll have a look and see what they say when I get a chance.

Miestar

27-03-2006, 09:32 AM

Hi again. Thanks for your responses.

Re: the coconut oil, I bought mine on Friday night at the health food shop, they had 3 types on sale, all in a jar and none of them were liquid, all sitting on the shelf. It did start to look a little oily when I was holding the jar walking around the shop though. And I've not opened it yet, it is sitting in the cupboard, and it still looks a solid looking texture, is white, might be softish but don't think is liquid. It would be a bit like Ghee I imagine, it would solidify in the fridge, but it is probably just softish in the cupboard :confused:

Okay will get onto the Golliath for him.

He gets up early in the morning, he eats breaky 3:30am or so which is his cereal, then around 4:15am or so he rides his bike 20km to work, has a shower and starts work. So he was thinking of having the protein shake mid-morning I think, which would be more than 3 hours after he has had his carb containing cereal breakfast. So it wouldn't exactly be lifting weights, lol, but a solid workout on the bike, I'm stuffed after I sit on my exercise bike and clock up 2km (ahhh which is a memory), lol.

Miestar

27-03-2006, 09:44 AM

Also just read that coconut thread...very interesting indeed.

:D

Sherrie

27-03-2006, 10:48 AM

Yeah that should be really good for him to have the shake then too!

With the coconut oil it depends on the temperature of your house, if its cold it will be solid, if its warm, liquid. All you have to do is melt it, it melts very easy, I usually just put some in a small dish or cup and put that over a bolw or sink of hot water.

In both books they blend the coconut oil in slowly and then once fully blended add ice to it to make it nice and cold.

Miestar

28-03-2006, 08:52 AM

Hello...ahhhh that coconut oil is YUMMY :D

I was cooking dinner last night and thought to myself ...hmmmm I might try cooking with a teaspoon of coconut oil, and I thought I'd have a taste as someone in that other coconut thread said they just ate it by the spoon, and I thought it was fine, it just tasted like coconut cream, I used to cook alot of Thai food and it had that coconut taste, or I'd buy raw fresh coconut to eat and it was not much different to that. So I wouldn't have any problem having it just on a spoon. I'm in Melbourne, so it is in a slightly solid form, kinda like vaseline if that makes sense :confused: lol.

Also last night did the big clean out of my pantry, I have a very big pantry and it contained everything you could ever want or wish for, no reciepe would be unable to cook as I had everything, well now I don't, lol, chucked out lots of bits and pieces, so now I'm on track...did keep a little snack corner of chockies that are my 4yo's but I am not tempted, lol

Sherrie

28-03-2006, 08:57 AM

Miestar if you can eat it of the spoon then your on to a winner!!!

I used to hate coconut with a passion before LC so I have come a long way but noway can I eat it off the spoon hehe :)

It will get harder the colder it gets but don't worry thats a good thing.

Moonie

28-03-2006, 07:49 PM

I wouldn't have any problem having it just on a spoon. I hope I can eat it off the spoon as I don't want to muck around making my shake with room temperature water to blend and then adding ice cubes..I am usually in a hurry when I have a shake for brekky..

Sherrie how much a day would be a good serve???

Sherrie

29-03-2006, 06:17 AM

Moonie moving this reply to coconut thread so its easy to find later.

pigglet

22-05-2006, 09:59 AM

OK here are a few online tools that helped me lose 20 odd kilos. It gets mind rattling doing the maths and subtracting this from that to get your actual carb intake when fibre is present, so punch your figures into these.

this first one helps with products you buy so you put in your back of the pack per serve numbers and they will be crunched for you

http://lowcarb4life.sugarbane.com/hiddencarbs.htm

The second is a link to 'fit day' now this site is brilliant... you put in everything you eat in the day and it will work out your percentages for you On atkins the daily break up is 65%fat/ 30%protein/ 5%carbs, but it's ok if the numbers fluctuate a little bit from day to day.

http://www.fitday.com/

As for the corn thins me thinks that may be you should try to get your carbs from fresh vegies which are low gi instead of the processed weight inducing type carbs like those that come from a packet.

Our bodies gain vitamins minerals and antioxidants from vegetables and has to work hard to break them down... corn thins are just converted straight to fat and contain nothing but simple carbs and keeps us addicted to the carbohydrate hit that causes our cravings.

Hope this helps it is so hard to get the whole low carb way of life ... meh I still struggle... so sometime soon you may need to give me a hand up too!