where are the carbs?

[blueberryz]

Hi all,
I'm on my second attempt LCing, this time I'm determined...I'm on my 11th day (still induction) and I'm doing great...I still have a question, although you can have up to 20 grams of carbs, I can never seem to get over 16, I eat salads, veggies (the allowed ones), and still 16 or under...I have a long way to go, and I'm thinking how in the world am I going to move to the next phases if I can't even get to my 20 from induction?!
Where are the carbs you are consuming? :help: I need direction...
THANKS!! :wave:

Ps. I count every "zero" carbs as one, count the gum, splendas, eggs, creams, cheese, what am I missing??

[montanasun]

I'm thinking how in the world am I going to move to the next phases if I can't even get to my 20 from induction?!


Adding fruit, milk, whole grain or veggies that are higher in carbs will increase your carb count.

[blueberryz]

I am eating from the allowed food list...(doesn't include fruit, milk, grain and very few veggies)

[TarHeel]

Blueberryz:

You might try more things in your salads like tomatoes, olives, onions, shredded cheese, and perhaps slivered almonds. Easy to add 4-5 carbs that way and makes the salads more interesting.

Kay

[blueberryz]

thanks! makes sense :)

[Elizellen]

If you use My P.L.A.N. (on this site) or www.fitday.com to log everything you are eating and let people look at it they might be able to suggest some 'tweaking' of your menus.

[JaneDough]

I am eating from the allowed food list...(doesn't include fruit, milk, grain and very few veggies)

You mentioned counting zero carbs - but things like Splenda, cheese and eggs have carbs that should be tracked, so they'll show up in your totals. Some veggies (as TarHeel mentioned) have higher carb counts than others, and seafood often has more carbs than other meats. When you add it all up you may find another few carbs in what you're already eating.

[blueberryz]

thanks elizellen, i will try to do that...

Thanks JaneDough, i didn't know seafood would have more carbs, but i don't really like seafood...the labeled stuff as "zero" carbs I do count it as one...

I apologize to be asking perhaps dumb questions...but thanks for replying! :)

[Mousesmom]

If you can post what you are already eating we'll be better able to help you. My first thought is that you might not be eating enough.....

Are you counting the carbs in your salad dressings? Mayo?

Take care, Julie

[blueberryz]

Hi Julie,
Thanks for your reply..yesterday for example:

2 eggs
1 oz cheddar cheese
1 turkey breast (plain plain)
coffee/1 splenda/ 1tsp cream

2 cups of salad (lettuce) w/mayo
1 chicken breast
1 oz cheese
1 non-caffeine diet coke

1 steak
1 cup brocoli
1 cup salad (lettuce) w/mayo

I do not get dressings or anything like that...and I'm fine during the day, not starving or anything like that...but still concerned about the count...

[Meg_S]

hey don't even worry. It's not necessary to up carbs if you're enjoying things, if you enjoy your food and feel good and are losing, that is all that counts!!!

[Lobstergal]

Hi Julie,
Thanks for your reply..yesterday for example:

2 eggs
1 oz cheddar cheese
1 turkey breast (plain plain)
coffee/1 splenda/ 1tsp cream

2 cups of salad (lettuce) w/mayo
1 chicken breast
1 oz cheese
1 non-caffeine diet coke

1 steak
1 cup brocoli
1 cup salad (lettuce) w/mayo

I do not get dressings or anything like that...and I'm fine during the day, not starving or anything like that...but still concerned about the count...


If you are worried about not getting your 20 carbs a day I would add some tomato, cucumber, some garlic and even a bit of thinly sliced raw onion to your salads. You can add all sorts of raw veggies from the allowed veggies lists and those will help boost your carb counts. I eat a ton of vegetables and never worryabout the carb counts in them anymore. Veggies never made anyone fat. I even eat carrots but I have been lowcarbing for YEARS so I know what I am doing.
Just plain lettuce would bore me to death after a while.
If you do not want to buy store made dressing then use some olive oil and vinegar, if you get tired of mayo in your salads.

[Elizellen]

Your menus look fine if you are not hungry eating only that.

Though if you are on Atkins induction following the 2002 DANDR book you are eating one extra cup of lettuce over the 3 cups total veggies!

As has been suggested you can up your carb count by eating some of the more carb-y foods from the '2-3 cup list' of vegetables, like mushrooms, peppers etc.

The 20 carbs are a maximum for induction, so dont worry about it.

[blueberryz]

thank you all!! :) helped a lot!!

[JandLsMom]

You dont HAVe to eat 20 carbs a day...thats just a maximum. What your eating is fine! The original atkins books only allowed 5 carbs a day and didnt allow veggies on induction at all!! The only reason Veggies were added is to make the diet palatable. He figured out how many carbs people could eat without getting out of ketosis and still losing weight and came up with the max of 20 carbs..so don't feel bad at all if your carbs are lower..Many of us shoot for 5 carbs and under and don't even eat veggies!