Newbie and any tips would be great!

[gtgirl]

I am just starting out eating a low carb diet. I need some food ideas.....I train..run and cycle........

[nancyn28]

In my opinon, you've just gotta choose a plan. Once you have your plan in place you can tweak to make it yours.....it's hard to offer any other advice until we know what it is that you're doing.... :)

[CrysAnne]

I agree, choose a plan...and think hard about Atkins! I know it works.

Make sure you always have food on hand, lots of clean water, steer clear of too many LC products (low carb bread, low carb tortillas, that kind of thing) and try and stay as whole and clean as possible with the foods. Eggs and meat are your friend; so are healthy fats and lots of green veggies. Pick up Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution for reference and really read through it. You'll gain perspective on why this way of eating is so beneficial and it will motivate you to take the necessary steps to continue.

Also, come here any time! Lots of great support.

Good luck!

[mike_d]

Go by a used book store and stock up on diet books like DADR, Fat Flush, Life Without Bread and Carb addicts.

[gtgirl]

Thanks! I do understand I need to pick my plan, which I have........low carbs......, but not "no carbs". I cycle and run, so I do need "good carbs" as well. I know no bread, potatoes, rice, pasta and white sugar. There is sugar in everything and I do know natural is better than......regular. I am basically going to try this carb diary which I will be keeping track of my net carbs daily. I read that 40-60 gms of net carbs a day.....works! I have 20 lbs to lose. I do need to drink gatorade.......but I am looking for an alternative.

I do eat atkins bars........

[joesfolks]

No. really, choose a plan. Just saying low carb probably isn't going to do it, imho. Maybe run to the library and checkout the books. If you are trying to do an Atkins style thing then eat the wrong veggies you might not be in ketosis. If you do a SBD kind of thing and eat Atkins level of fats you might not lose weight. It really does help to know exactly what you are doing, especially in the beginning. Wishing you all the best.

[bkloots]

No. really, choose a plan. This is truly the best advice. Any book, any plan will give you a substantial list of appropriate foods and ways to fix it.

You can also click around this site--recipes, tips, etc.--and find out what you need to know from what's already been posted.

You probably CAN lose the weight you want by cutting carbs substantially and continuing to exercise. However, you don't "need" Atkins bars, Gatorade, or any other nutritional shortcut. Keep in mind that the whole idea of picking a plan is to learn how to change your eating pattern for life, so you'll never gain back the pounds you lose.

Best wishes.

[AuntJoyce]

You might enjoy the insights from Dr. Mike and Mary Dan Eades in Protein Power Lifeplan. They have a chapter that addresses nutrition and exercise.

If you don't have a lot to lose and don't have a serious problem with blood pressure, diabetes, then staying between 40 and 60grams of carbs daily fits nicely into PPLP.

They explain the health benefits of adding magnesium and potassium. Do not eat or drink carbs before your exercise as this will help burn stored fat. Have a Paleo punch made with berries or whey protein smoothie post exercise. They allow a little honey. If you follow the plan, you shouldn't really need the high sugar Gatorade.

Building muscle should be a priority. They like a shorter period of higher intensity exercises.

Here is a review of that plan:

http://www.lowcarb.ca/atkins-diet-and-low-carb-plans/protein-power.html

They also have a website where both doctors write blogs about current issues. www.proteinpower.com

They collaborated with Fred Hahn to write Slow Burn, which has some insights about exercise and working out smart. Fred's website and blog is here: http://slowburn.typepad.com/

[MissSherry]

Agree with everyone else. Also it is a misconception that you HAVE to have carbs to work out. I do no carb and currently run 1.5-2 miles a day and just started running 5 weeks ago. I plan on building up to a 5K. No issues for me w/ exercise and no carb :)

[fabshelly]

Eat meat. That's my best food advice!

Also, raw egg yolks (stay the heck away from the whites unless thoroughly cooked) are surprisingly yummy.