Low Carb Diet

[6 Iron]

I agree with you, Gosso. My suspicion is that there is no more one perfect diet than there is one perfect song. But, and I am sure you agree, the large amount of processed carbs in a typical American's diet is very likely a bad thing. Tailoring this concept to your own body seems to take time and effort, but if someone were to simply restrict or limit intake of sugar and white bread, I suspect it would be beneficial.

On another note, for those interested in the carbohydrate content of alcoholic beverages, I found this link:

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/whattoeat/a/alcbev.htm

[Gosso]

I agree with you, Gosso. My suspicion is that there is no more one perfect diet than there is one perfect song. But, and I am sure you agree, the large amount of processed carbs in a typical American's diet is very likely a bad thing. Tailoring this concept to your own body seems to take time and effort, but if someone were to simply restrict or limit intake of sugar and white bread, I suspect it would be beneficial.

99% agree (the 1% disagreement comes from my uncertainty that white bread is as evil as it's made out to be -- although I still limit it).

My warning to people that are on or starting a low carb diet (<100 grams/day) is to watch for signs of hypothyroidism.  It happened to me and I have seen it countless times on the low-carb forums -- the solution was to always increase the carbs.  It is possible that these thyroid problems only occur in a low percentage of the population when adopting a low carb diet...I don't know.

Just be careful, and don't believe everything that a low-carb proponent is telling you.  If you start to notice your health is deteriorating (I'm talking after the low carb flu), then please consider adding more healthy carbs into the diet...maybe try increasing by 10 grams a day.  Personally the health of my thyroid is more important to me than getting rid of the love handles.

I wish you all the best of luck with improving your health.  It is truly the best investment you can make.

[dualstow]

Dinner is nearly anything I want.  In restaurants that list the calories of dinners, I usually chose one with higher calories.

You're my hero! 

[gizmo_rat]

When I first read this I thought I'd give a lower carb diet a go, as it's relatively easy to try. 

Too early to comment on any weight loss but the insanely irritating rash under my chin and on my chest that I've had for a couple of years has gone.

I'm guessing a wheat allergy which would a bit of a shame as I really like bread. However at the moment I'm just revelling in waking up in the morning without the urge to claw my face off.

Sweet serendipity.

[dualstow]

Too early to comment on any weight loss but the insanely irritating rash under my chin and on my chest that I've had for a couple of years has gone.

I'm guessing a wheat allergy which would a bit of a shame as I really like bread.

You might want to search for the Wheat Belly author's recipe for flax wraps. It's not as soft and fluffy as stuff made from wheat flour but it might allow you to make sandwiches while trying to rid yourself of that rash. Oh, wait- you've already got rid of the rash! Well, you still might like the flax wraps. :-)

[6 Iron]

I was shocked at how fast I lost weight and fat sticking to this diet, and trust me when I say I did not restrict fat; in fact, I reintroduced some carbs sooner than planned. I am now in the process of titrating the appropriate amount, because I am already where I want to be weight-wise. I think this is worth considering for those that are tired of the paunch.

good luck, Gizmo, and congrats on the disappearance of the rash.

[moda0306]

What do you guys think about protein smoothies?

I make a smoothie that consists of the following:

4 spoonfools of plain yogurt
3 ice cubes
4 handfulls of mixed frozen berries
1 scoop of protein powder
Enough juice of whatever kind to get it to mix up to the proper consistency (not much at all)

I've even heard tomatoes and carrots are quite unnoticeable in a fruit smoothie (though I have trouble believing it).

This, for me, is a great way of getting something sweet and desert-like without spending tons on berries (frozen are WAY cheaper) and constantly cooking up meat.  It's addictive once you get the stuff, and really breaks up the monotomy of meat, nuts, and cottage cheese (the latter of which is, from what I hear, one of the best protein sources you can get).  I'd imagine that this helps you get the berries that are probably easy to under-feed yourself.  Combine this with some good greens with your meat and I don't think you can go too wrong in term of getting the right kinds of fruits/veggies.

[Alanw]

What do you guys think about protein smoothies?

I make a smoothie that consists of the following:

4 spoonfools of plain yogurt
3 ice cubes
4 handfulls of mixed frozen berries
1 scoop of protein powder
Enough juice of whatever kind to get it to mix up to the proper consistency (not much at all)

I've even heard tomatoes and carrots are quite unnoticeable in a fruit smoothie (though I have trouble believing it).

This, for me, is a great way of getting something sweet and desert-like without spending tons on berries (frozen are WAY cheaper) and constantly cooking up meat.  It's addictive once you get the stuff, and really breaks up the monotomy of meat, nuts, and cottage cheese (the latter of which is, from what I hear, one of the best protein sources you can get).  I'd imagine that this helps you get the berries that are probably easy to under-feed yourself.  Combine this with some good greens with your meat and I don't think you can go too wrong in term of getting the right kinds of fruits/veggies.

Moda,

I do a fruit smoothy daily.  Sometimes frozen berries, sometimes fresh.  I will vary the ingredients some but my basic smoothie is strawberries, blueberries, banana, papaya, a scoop of protein powder and apple juice with several ice cubes.  Normally I will not put yogurt in the smoothie.

For veggies I have a Jack Lalanne juicer.  This thing will juice nearly everything.  I don't use it as religiously as I should but it is an excellent way to get veggies in your diet.


I had mentioned in an earlier post that I have trouble putting on weight.  Maybe the above is the reason.  I have found it difficult to maintain a very healthy diet and yet take in enough calories to maintain or put on weight.