topic Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs in Wellness

Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

expatgal — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 20:49:29 GMT

I'm wanting to reduce my carbohydrate intake and would love to hear some tips from you. It's not that I eat a huge amount of carbs, but feel that I could drop a few pounds if I cut down. How do you avoid the "sandwich trap" at lunch? Do you avoid carbs at all during dinner? How do you eat eggs for breakfast without toast?

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

willdob3 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:00:42 GMT

First, eliminate processed foods. That takes care of many of them and, depending how you currently eat, it might be all you need to do.

Have you heard of forks? I use one to eat my eggs. lol... I admit that I did miss toast at first but I got over that & never even think of toast anymore.

It's been about 1.5 years since I had any grains at all. I feel much better w/o them and have no plans to ever add them back. I like feeling good too much to hurt myself by adding something back that caused problems for me.

I take my lunch to work. Anything that works for dinner works for lunch.

I eat vegetables with lunch and dinner. I never eat starchy carbs.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

wagirl — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:04:24 GMT

I've been trying to reduce my carb intake too. I don't eat any white bread but whole grain bread, like Ezekieal bread, and only one slice a day. Same with pasta and rice. I either eat brown rice and whole grain pasta and only the recommended serving size of 1/2 cup. And white sugar is the biggest no-no for me and is the hardest for me as I'm a sweet lover. I use powdered stevia in my hot drinks. Start small and work up to it. Choose one thing to eliminate or reduce and then go on to another one. If you get rid of everything at once, it'll be too over whelming. Read the labels. I happen to love the whole grains like farrow and bulger and quinoa so not eating white rice is no big deal. There are carbs in fruits too, so don't go crazy. There are several books on reducing carbs as well as researching on google.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

gazelle77 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:11:46 GMT

I have been doing the low carb, no sugar for about 10 years. I pretty much just eat low glycemic vegetables and lots of salmon. A little chicken or turkey breast. No bread, rice, grains or cereal. I do eat a half a large apple a day. But that is all in fruit. I do eat a small amount of raw sprouted nuts and seeds. You just fill up on vegetables and good protein. Most people think they have to eat carbs.. but, that is why people are so overweight these days. Too many carbs! They are addictive. So like sugar you have to get off of them like a drug. Unless you are an athlete or a farmer who is very very physical, no one needs sugar and carbs like people in America eat today. I have a physical and bloodwork up every year, and I am very healthy.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

ahoymate — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:35:06 GMT

Carbohydrates are not all bad. Just the white flour, processed type. Examples of good carbs: grains, fruits, cereals. Whole grain breads etc. Don't lump all carbs in the same basket.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

violann — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:37:05 GMT

I could happily sit and eat 6 pounds of bread and a pound of butter every day for the reast of my life, but happily, very low carb eating is so wonderful for me that I don't even think about bread any more. Protein rolled in a nice big dark green lettuce leaf with a dollop of Olive Oil mayo tastes JUST GREAT!

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

focksie — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:43:56 GMT

expatgal, I know it seems like a strange notion to eat eggs without toast when that's what we've been brought up on as the standard American breakfast (plus bacon). It's just a matter of trying it for a few days to get out of that bad habit. This morning I had scrambled eggs (one whole egg and two whites) with about 1/2 oz of low fat cheese mixed in. Then I spread some mashed avocado on top. Have that with a cup of green tea. It is filling until lunch time. If I get hungry mid morning, I'll have another cup of tea.

For lunch I'll mix canned salmon with diced onion or celery, mix in a tbsp of salad dressing and have a salad or vegetables with that. I also have chicken with sliced tomato and avocado salad. I have carbs at dinner.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:48:31 GMT

You might want to check out the Inspiralized blog. It's about using spiralized sliced vegetables like zucchini and yellow squash to make a pasta-like dish. I'm planning in picking up a spiral cutter this summer.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

RedTop — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:51:46 GMT

My suggestion is the same as wagirl to take a slow approach to reducing carbs, and start with the ones you don't think you will miss so much, or that you can handle eating only once a week for example. I love potatoes, but through trial and error, learned I can live with having them only once a week--in any form. I absolutely love pasta, but can live with only having that once a month. I made a list of my favorite carbs and my least favorite carbs, and went from there to form my plan of cutting back. Sugar is still my # 1 issue.

I am not a fan of any sandwich outside of tuna, a hamburger, or a hot dog. I do like to eat tuna, ham, or chicken salad with a few Townhouse crackers. I am allergic to egg whites, so eggs are not on my plate unless they are an ingredient in something else on my plate. Good luck with finding the carb control that works for you.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

pixiedust — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:00:15 GMT

Expatgal, this is something I'm trying to incorporate as well..it's not easy because I love carbs! I think the first step is to replace bad carbs with good carbs.

Instead of toast, go for oatmeal. Instead of rice, go for quinoa (high percentage of protein but it's still a grain). Also, have you heard of Ezekiel bread from Trader Joe's? It is sprouted grain bread with a high percentage of protein and no refined sugars. I've also started getting high protein high fiber "Fiber One" bread so when I do get the toast craving I can have "good for me" toast.

Also, for lunch, instead of a whole sandwich, can you go for half a sandwich, string cheese, fruit and maybe a protein smoothie? That way you cut carbs by half and up the protein.

I'd say instead of completely going cold turkey find ways to cut down without feeling deprived.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

bells4me — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:23:18 GMT

I didn't have much trouble as I rarely eat a sandwich & never eat toast with eggs anyway. I haven't cut carbs completely, just cut down. I will eat a slice or two of pizza every so often. The biggest change I've made is to cut out potatoes but I do eat sweet or yams occasionally. I eat chicken, steak, salmon, tilapia & a fresh vegetable for dinner. I like sliced tomatos, broccoli & spinach. For snacking I will eat almonds or an orange. If I have a craving for sweets I will eat a brownie or candy bar. I don't have a weight problem & burn off far more calories than I eat in a day. I exercise by walking, riding my beach cruiser & I just bought a kayak for summer. Keeping busy is a good way to cut your appetite.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

Porcelain — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:49:16 GMT

I've gone gluten free and it's almost more effective than when I tried to go extremely low carb. When you just avoid gluten you can still have lots of other carbs and it's much more convenient and easier to stick with. Even Red Robin has a gluten free bun for their burgers and one of our local pizzarias will make you a totally tasty pie with a non gluten crust.

I just avoid gluten and high frutose corn syrup and I've lost inches, even though I wasn't trying. My husband is close to being able to fit into his "thin(nner) pants" again.

Not exactly what you were asking about, OP. I just wanted to share that for us this is a much less painful way to limit carbs.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

LaFemme1216 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:58:23 GMT

I'm also trying to reduce my carb intake. Like many posters have advised, I stay away from processed foods, anything white and have started using whole grain bread. Another thing I do I do is have my carbs early in the day so I have all day to burn it off. So I'm not totally eliminating them, just being more strategic about consuming them. At dinner, I eat broiled fish, roasted turkey, or chicken either alone with steamed veggies.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

Cheryl in KY — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 23:58:52 GMT

First make sure you are psyched up mentally to take this on. My hubby & I gave up wheat a year ago with great results. His arthritis is gone and he lost 20 pounds. He has recruited other guys from work with his positive results (He's 56 and I'm 52) We have both found a most suprising side effect and that is a loss of appetite! For breakfast I'll have hard boiled eggs or maybe a yogurt (plain with fresh blueberries) or a smoothie. The only grains we eat now are tortilla chips and our evening cocktail. He even gave up beer because is is made with wheat. He'll likes cider now. A couple of good books are Against All Grains and Wheat Belly.

Oh - and my favorite treat when I used to crave carbs are nut butters like almond butter!!!

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

Dominosmom — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 00:12:21 GMT

I lost 70 pounds cutting out carbs. Stop eating breads, cereals, pasta for starters. The secret is to increase your protein intake so you are not hungry. Worked for me.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

Perkup — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 00:28:46 GMT

I didn't make a note of it, but I did see a cookbook on QVC from Sunday's shows that was all about cutting carbs. Looked like a good book. Not buying any more cookbooks, so didn't order, although I could do with a few less carbs. I love carbs!!

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

KJPA — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 01:09:03 GMT

On 4/29/2014 ChynnaBlue said:
You might want to check out the Inspiralized blog. It's about using spiralized sliced vegetables like zucchini and yellow squash to make a pasta-like dish. I'm planning in picking up a spiral cutter this summer.

I have one and it's really cool! I suggest the smallest spiral cuts for your ""pasta"" so you get a thinner ""noodle""

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

I am still oxox — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 01:13:39 GMT

On 4/29/2014 Perkup said:
I didn't make a note of it, but I did see a cookbook on QVC from Sunday's shows that was all about cutting carbs. Looked line a good book. Not buying any more cookbooks, so didn't order, although I could do with a few less carbs. I love carbs!!

The low carb cookbook is by George Stella, he is an inspiration and his recipes are very good

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

KJPA — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 01:24:21 GMT

I know carbs aren't good for me and I try to reduce my intake. I've already greatly reduced my bread and sugar intake. But I'm still not losing. I think I have a pretty healthy diet.

I never eat bread at home, seldom when I'm out. I do notice that if I eat a lot of bread like when we go out to eat, my joints hurt a lot more and I have trouble the next couple of days when I get up from sitting or laying down. I warm up but it really hurts everywhere for a minute or so. If I stay away from the grains that gets better but not 100%.

I usually opt for salads, meat, fish, veggies and don't eat the croutons. I've had about 3 sugared sodas and 2 diet sodas since around the start of the year (4 months!)

I eat Kind bars, eggs, roasted chicken, apples, berries, cheese, natural peanut butter, nuts, raw veggies.... you get the idea. I drink water, coffee and iced tea, all without any sweetener or other additives.

My biggest downfall is ice cream. I probably break down and have some once a day. I know I have to cut it out but there's always some reason to have it.

BTW, I'm going to a rheumatologist. So far he has found nothing except a vitamin D deficiency which I've since corrected.

I read Wheatbelly and thought it was a good book. I have his cookbooks too. But in our society it is REALLY hard to stay away from all the stuff that is bad for us. I will be interested to see everyone's suggestions.

Re: Need Tips On How To Reduce Carbs

StylishLady — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 01:30:26 GMT

Tried low carb dieting and did lose weight. The problem was we got tired of it. I really lost weight AND kept it off by counting calories and keeping track of portion sizes. Good luck with whatever plan you decide to use.