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Hi Kirsteen! Do you really think the UK has an advantage when it comes to low carb foods? I find that other than the net carbs being already worked out for us on food labels, we do have a bit of a disadvantage over places like the US. Mainly in terms of availbility of ingredients' low carb just doesn't seem as popular over here, and getting hold of things like atkins bake mix or other low carb replacements isn't easy, or it requires expensive shipping from online suppliers.
I do agree about the fish though! I love kippers, and I'm surprised I haven't thought to have them before now!
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Atkins doesn't really allow products on the diet. Essentially it's a clean diet, especially at the beginning. As for "low-carb" products, unfortunately, they are based on the theory that the body won't digest a lot of the carbs, but most people find they do, making the "low-carb" products as bad as the real thing. Concentrate on making nice meals with good quality ingredients - that's what the Atkins diet is - and you'll get that you don't miss the rest.
I don't know whether you get to Asda, but they do lovely boil in the bag kippers and butter for under £1.. Youngs also do boil in the bag kippers in the freezer section for around the same price - they're quite salty, but still good.
I was thinking about you saying that you don't always feel like eating, or don't always have food in the house. It would be really good if you were able to stock up on a few stand-by foods.. I always have:
tinned mackerel - nice covered with cheese and grilled
tinned sardines - nice fried with olive oil, oregano, garlic and tomatoes.
tinned tuna - nice mixed with mayonnaise, curry powder, and chopped red pepper
boil in the bag kippers - good with butter and a side salad
smoked mackerel - mix with cottage cheese and serve on tomato slices.
bacon, eggs, tomatoes and mushrooms - tasty fried, but also handy for other recipes
beef mince (we buy the Tesco organic, as it's good).. Just shape mince into burgers, add some fresh black pepper, and fry with onions - about 5 mins a side or more. Serve with the onions, and anything else you fancy.
frozen shrimps or prawns - nice for curries & prawn cocktail
Try making a big pot of soup to last a few days.. celery soup, mushroom soup, chicken soup.. I can give you some recipes if you need them, or check out the recipe area.
A big pot of tasty stew or curry is a good way of eating for several days.
Here's a cauliflower salad we really love:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...332#post8554332
I made that salad today, and had all the leaves of the cauliflower left over, so I added some celery leaves and blue cheese and blitzed them to make an enormous pot of soup. Most people chuck out the leaves of those veggies, but the soup's great - I had some at lunch and dinner (as well as main courses), and am planning more for my supper, and there'll be loads left for tomorrow!
Here's a celery and blue cheese soup which is really good. If you don't like blue cheese, just swap it for a cheese you like:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showpost...341&postcount=6
Roast chicken's another easy option: buy a chicken, check there isn't a plastic bag of bits inside it, then stick it into the oven for 20 mins per lb plus 20 mins. (About 1 1/2 hours for a three hour chicken). Some people leave the chicken uncovered, so the skin will go crispy. I prefer to put some chopped vegetables and liquid around the chicken, and cover it with a lid, so I'll get the juices to serve with the roast. We make gorgeous butter chicken with the left-overs, and then chicken soup with the bones.
A bit of advance preparation will mean you always have something quick for a meal.. I also buy cream cheese, so if I'm starving, I can have a teaspoon while we sort out something more sustaining.
You need to keep your calories up, or you might go into starvation mode, leaving you no energy and your body hanging onto every lb.
Good luck x