lower carb recipe suggestions?

[JamieC2003]

Hi guys - i'm getting aware that I need to start bringing down my carb intake - i eat quite a lot of pasta and bread and I should probably pull it back a bit.
I'm not really working out at the moment, but I've been thinking of getting into it; my weekly routing involves quite a bit of walking and some fairly strenuous upper body activity - i just need to lose some weight really, as I gained quite a bit over my final year of uni - i recently cut a lot of my sugar intake, and i've been eating less, but I don't seem to have lost much weight.
I'm just wondering if any of you health nuts out there (it's a compliment, honest) could give me any suggestions for lower-carb meals, mainly evening meals, that aren't overly expensive, and actually taste good!
I'd be grateful for any suggestions, thnx

 

[kallipolis]

Do not be over influenced by media hype on the imaginary ill effects of eating carbohydrates.

Whole wheat pasta, rather than white pasta is recommended. You absolutely need to consume pasta, often for boosting energy to assist you with your weight training programme. Whole wheat bread is much more nutritional than white bread. Bread can also be bloating and therefore not recommended.

Sugar and sugar related food stuffs such as biscuits, pastries and cakes should be eliminated from your diet entirely.

Artificial sweeteners in small quantities are ideal substitutes and recommended. Avoid aspartame at all costs.

Porridge is an ideal source of energy, and one of the best fibre rich foods available. Porridge should be your breakfast choice every day.

Vegetables, fresh fruits, eggs and cheese should be part of your daily diet should you wish to take your weight training programme seriously.

Lean meat should also be part of your diet, say twice weekly.

The banana is a highly nutritional food and highly recommended for body builders. I consume two bananas about one hour before a work out, and then one banana following my work out.

 

[Supersix]

I'm on a low carb diet myself. Anyone with a blood sugar problem can benefit from one, except a type 1 diabetic. I used to eat bread and pasta EVERY DAY. Sometimes twice a day. I've learned to enjoy meats seasoned and cooked with no sauces or breadcrumbs. Alternate from the frying pan, to the oven, to the barbecue. Simple bacon and eggs are delicious, with different cheeses for taste, and some nice black pepper. I use Smart Balance instead of butter. You get used to things after a while. I eat a little of Dreamfields Pasta, a delicious low carb pasta sold in most supermarkets in a black box. It's a bit more expensive, but tastes the same with much less carbohydrates. Just don't get in the habit of eating too much of it. Make it a once a week treat. Make your own tomato sauce, if desired, jar sauces may have added sugar. There's always oil and garlic, pesto, and alfredo. These sauces can be used for meats, not just any kind of pasta. The whole wheat pasta is supposed to be healthier than standard pasta, but it has the same amount of carbs, and will not help with weight loss. Plus it tastes lousy. If you want specific recipies, feel free to ask me, but I don't have them written down, it's all in my head. I will be happy to describe them to you. Good luck!
Oh I just saw that you are in England, I don't know if there is any decent brands of low carb pasta over there, sorry about that.

 

[kallipolis]

^Those living with diabetes are encouraged to follow a strict diet in accordance with recommended guidelines.:

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_general_guidelines_a_diabetes_diet_000042_2.htm

 

[Supersix]

They're wrong. Too much carbohydrates and sugar in that diet. A type 1 maybe, but not any type 2s or prediabetics. Check out
www.stitchyourwaytoahealthyheart.blogspot.com

 

[lostnfound]

I'm low carbing as well, but it's only for bodybuilding purposes (currently cutting weight) and this is a short-term thing. I agree with Kallipolis that most people looking to lose weight will do best on the standard reduced-calorie diet, and not worry about carbs (except you should always eat the good carbs).

That said, I get a lot of my low-carb recipes from this place:

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/recipes.html

There is a star rating after each recipe, so I usually eat the 4-5 star recipes, and they've been good so far.

If you decide to low-carb, I highly recommend eating Almonds. It's natural to not eat enough fiber on a low-carb diet, and while you should be eating green veggies at all times, those alone might not be able to help your bowel movements. Luckily, almonds are natural laxatives, and are quite healthy.

 

[kallipolis]

I highly recommend eating Almonds. It's natural to not eat enough fiber on a low-carb diet, and while you should be eating green veggies at all times, those alone might not be able to help your bowel movements. Luckily, almonds are natural laxatives, and are quite healthy.

The nutritional benefits of almonds:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=20

 

[JaffaPool]

Dieting carbs to lose weight isn't really about totally eliminating a group.

Like everything in your body, you need to find a balance, and that requires greater knowledge of what you're putting into your body.

My suggestion is that you do some research on the foods you really like to eat regularly and find healthier alternatives or atleast lower GI rated versions.

My second suggestion would be a little bit of research about WHEN to eat what types of carbs. I swear everyone completely underestimated how much influence WHEN you eat has on your body.

It would be way too much for me to go through it all with you now, but the first advice I offer anyone looking to change their diet for weight purposes is to make sure they're eating a high fibre, low carb breakfast with something in it that has a mid range GI carb in it, such as most berries, stone fruits or melons, and so it AS SOON as you wake up, it should come before everything. Finally I would suggest that you don't have any carbs after 6pm, until just before you hop into bed, where you should eat a very small amount of the lowest GI carb you can find. A good wholemeal multigrain piece of toast should do it.