High protein, low carbs anyone?

[MRSchultz]

Hi everybody:

I have about 20 pounds to lose and have struggled for some time with it. I exercise with Cathe and run about 5-6 times a week with some weights in there, too. I have come to realize that the more carbs I eat the more I am hungry. So, I've tried to eat more protein and less carbs. But, there is very little options that I've found that are low in carbs. I've noticed that I have more energy and feel better, too. Any suggestions or tips???

Thanks in advance. Happy exercising..... Marcia

 

[FitnessGoddess]

Hey Marcia,

I have just recently begun this same journey. You don't want to cut down so low on carbs that you aren't getting any. Just quit eating processed carbs--breads, pasta that sort of thing. Go with lots of vegis & fruits instead. Protein can be found in all sorts of things. I just picked up a bag of almonds--did you know there is 6 grams of protein in 1/3 cup of almond slivers? I know I sure didn't. Guess what I'm having for a snack this afternoon?! LOL Also, look for soy nuts, they are awesome in a salad. I believe they have 7 grams of protein in 1/3 cup.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck.

I came back to add, I really like cottage cheese with pinapple. It is higher in carbs than I would like but at 11 grams of protein per 1/2 cup, I'll take the extra carbs & just cut them somewhere else.

 

[Dml]

Hi Marcia,

I just started to really watch my carbs and up my protein. So far, so good. Of course, it has only been 2 days!!;-) I trying to just use whole wheat, fruits & veggies for my carbs. No more white bread or pasta:-( for me (I hope). It seems there is little choice for low carb when it comes to processed food. I guess it's just time to change our way of eating around. I hope it works for you. I also have been struggling with 20 pounds. I didn't realize how much processed food I ate until I tried giving it up. Wow! Good luck!

Denise

 

[mogambo]

Don't forget sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, filberts, etc. as easy high-protein satisfying snacks that really kill cravings. Hard-boiled eggs are also very useful. Add textured vegetable protein to vegetable soups. Tempeh and tofu are good once you learn to prepare them. Omelets. Brewers yeast (Lewis Labs tastes best to me) stirred into soymilk or a protein shake.

 

[Amysue]

Yuck! Brewer's yeast? I tried it once and it was horrible. Maybe it was old or something?
Amy

 

[kathryn]

>Yuck! Brewer's yeast? I tried it once and it was horrible.
>Maybe it was old or something?
>Amy


Real "brewers yeast" is a by-product of the brewing industry. It is kind of a tan color and may be a bit bitter. What you really want to look for is "nutritional yeast" (which is what most people mean by "brewer's yeast"). It is bright yellow in color, comes in a powder (best for mixing in things) or flakes (o.k. for cooking), and tastes kind of cheesy. It's great sprinkled on popcorn (sprayed first with tamari soy sauce, if you wish) and tastes good mixed in o.j. (it seems to cut the acidity of the o.j.). There are also recipes available for making cheesy-type sauces out of it.

One thing to watch out for is not to start with too much, as it is sometimes hard to digest at first. I knew a cat (cats love it!) who ate lots of nutritional yeast and he had the worst "silent but deadly" farts I've ever smelled!

 

[PatriciaP]

Just a word of caution about soy nuts. They kind of "explode" in my stomach, so I only have about 10 nuts at the most. How can I put this delicately? They make you fart!

I noticed too when I put a mixure of canned soybeans and kidney beans in the microwave the soybeans blew up, but not the kidney beans. I eat blackbeans, lentils and kidney beans, but none of them have the same effect on me as soybeans.

I gave my co-worker a couple, just to try. Unbeknownst to me, she went out and bought a bag and shared it with another co-worker. An hour later, both were looking a little green and had bad stomach gramps. My mouth fell -- they'd eaten the full bag! Yikes!

Anyways, be very careful with the soy nuts and soy beans.

Patricia

 

[nancy324]

I don't know, Marcia. I've been reading and trying everything lately to lose this 6 lbs. I gained. I tried eating high protein for a few days and then read somewhere that I was eating WAY too much protein. There is a formula based upon how much you weigh, which I have forgotten. I was eating a few Myoplex bars a day! If you REALLY aren't getting enough protein, then try adding a Myoplex Carb Sense bar to your routine, but don't become addicted to them like I did. It's not that hard to eat too much protein. I think most women need only 40-50 grams per day. Unfortunately, the key to weight loss is to eat less, and that's something that I just can't seem to do right now. Each meal should be the size of my fist? Maybe next lifetime, cause it ain't gonna happen in this one! ;(

 

[trprwife]

Hi Nance324. I have also gained about 6-7 pounds lately. I am so frustrated. I have no idea why either. I am going to play around with my eating and see if anything helps. Was your 6 pounds suddenly. Mine was like in 2 months. I don't get it. Some people are reading this and going 6 pounds.....give me a break. I try not to dwell on it because 6 pounds isn't alot but, I need to figure out what the hey is going on or I will gain another and then another. My clothes are already fitting a little snugger than I want them too. What to do....What to do.

Kim

 

[nancy324]

Kim-
It was pretty sudden. I know I started to eat a lot more, but I don't
know why. It could be from working out more. Just enough to increase my appetite but not enough to use up all the extra calories? I tried to cut back, but keep failing day after day.

I know I'm still not overweight on those BMI charts, and I could probably be okay with the change, but I've been meeting with a lot of clients lately and I can't just get by wearing clothes that are now too snug. I've got to look really put together, which means new clothes. New clothes are probably the last thing I wanted to spend my money on right now, especially when my closet is already stuffed to the rafters. This whole thing has me in a really bad mood, which, of course, means eating more!!@#$%^&*()

Okay, now that I've vented, here's my suggested solution: I'm going to try cutting back on the weight work and emphasizing cardio. Cardio is great for helping to suppress my appetite. I just got a new VCR and traded for some step tapes. It doesn't matter if I can't get the steps down pat, as long as I keep moving and keep my heart rate in its target zone I will benefit.

Sound like a plan, Kim? Good luck!!
-Nancy

 

[wutherhi]

And if the sudden, inexplicable weight gain continues, be sure to have that thyroid checked.

 

[nancy324]

Very good point, wuth. My doctor hasn't increased my thyroid meds in years, but I'll be seeing a new doctor this month and hope to find that maybe it is time for an increase. But I doubt it, because thyroid would be implicated only if I gained without eating more, and I KNOW I'm eating a lot more!!! :-( But Kim, take heed of this advice!!