You have inspirited me to try low carb. If won't be easy because I am a carb lover. I need to lose a few pounds and my stomach has been bothering me some too. I have been thinking it is my diet. I need to find a good sort for carb counting, a book or other resource.

"I try to keep it under 30 a day"

That is what I am doing. This is a great thread, and I've decided that I'm going to put off the decision to add back more carbs for another year or so, until my weight loss goal is achieved. Even then I may not add back, I've been doing some reading and it is alarming and concerning to me how many people make huge efforts to lose weight, then change their eating approach once the weight is lost and the weight comes back.

I do low-carb, but a vegetarian version. I do eat a lot of eggs and some cheese but I try to get my fats from plant-based sources. All dairy I eat is grass-fed as it's supposed to be healthier. I did keto for a while but it's tough as a vegetarian (a lot of fake meat) and so now I allow a bit more carbs each day since I eat a large amount of vegetables, and occasionally some beans and lentils. Still a lot better than how I used to eat.

Wow, Debby!!!!!

Debby you are an inspiration!!

Thank you, ladies! This is my inspiration: my daughter. She lost 95 pounds doing the 20 carb + high healthy fats a day thing. She's been doing this for 2 1/2 years.

Good for you, Debby, you look terrific! And wow--so does your daughter! I'm curious, though--why zero plant fats? What have you got against olive oil?

Congratulations to you and your daughter, Debby. You both look great!

Okay, almost zero plant fats. Olive and coconut oil are ok. No sunflower, canola or vegetable oil. ;). I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that. ;)

Avocado, olives, coconut, nuts, dark chocolate, all great plant fats! I feel gross if I eat too much animal fat like cheese. I do much better with plants.

Bacon rules :)

Haha I don't know how people can eat bacon. Pigs are so smart and cute!

Debby -- olive oil, avocado and coconut oils here. Grapeseed if I do batter fry something (which is seldom). oh, and your crackslaw recipe sounds great.

At any rate, I lost 40 pounds going low carb over a period of six months -- and kept them off. During that time I also had very little cheese. I've since added back in some quinoa, rice and potatoes.

I aim for about 75 grams carb, but I don't actually count these things any more.

Green or brightly-colored veggies, lots of seafood, a lot of eggs; and I also eat meat, preferably pastured/grass fed.

Wow, Debby, both you and your daughter look amazing! But I'm sure the way you feel is even better than the way you look. But you are both beautiful.

Lunch today-3 slices bacon, one half avocado, 1 cup riced cauliflower, 3 eggs, T trader Joe's wasabi mayo. eggs are hardboiled. I moosh it all together and eat it cold. Usually don't put the cauliflower in so the carb level was a little higher at 14gm. That will keep me full until I have a salad with EVOO and smoked salmon for dinner. So the salad and cauliflower are the only carbs I will eat today.

sleeperblues, you are a brave person to eat avocado. I've tried and tried and tried to like it and I just can't. I keep telling myself it's like a banana, but only it's actually good for you, unlike bananas that taste delicious but have soooooo much sugar in them, you risk your blood sugar going up. I do need to come with more creative lunches for work.

Back in the 70's I had great success with low carb. Several years ago a coworker and I....she's 3 years older...did SB for two weeks. I had more weight to lose than she did.....in two weeks she lost 11 lbs and I lost 3. I tried low carb again a few weeks ago...I lost two lbs in a week and a half. Not sure why I am not losing on low carb like others. Will probably just go back to counting calories.

I've been on a low carb diet for almost 40 years. I was soooo sick with my blood sugar spiking and then bottoming out (did a 27 Glucose Tolerance test -- you're supposed to go into a coma at 30.) I did my research, before everything was on the internet (1970's) and found that for my body, eating one gram of protein to 2 grams of carbs (I can go up to 3 grams on that) has kept me weighing about 120 # for 35 years. And not being violently ill from a severe blood sugar drop. I eat anything I want, but moderation on the carbs is the key. If I want to pig out on bruschetta, I'd better have a LOT of protein to go with it.

It must be working for you, Drewsmaga, but just know that overeating protein has the same effect as eating too many carbs. Gluconeogenesis occurs in the liver with high protein intake and in effect turns that protein into glucose. That is why the keto diet is high fat, MODERATE protein, and low low carbs. Moderate meaning .6-.8 grams of protein per lean kg of body weight.

Debby, too bad you don't like avos. High is potassium and fiber, and so good. I try to eat one a day.

Debby, I hope you haven't used avocados in place of bananas--as you discovered, they're really nothing alike. I've loved avocados since childhood. These days I mostly use them in salads, and I would put them on sandwiches if I were still eating bread. Once in awhile I sprinkle the cut side of a half of an avocado with Lawry's seasoned salt, and fill the hollow with fresh Meyer lemon juice. Then I eat it with a spoon.

My daughter and daughter-in-law make delicious guacamole.

I've tried everything with avocados. I can't eat a whole one a day. There is no way, and my husband won't even try to taste one. They brown so easily that it's such a waste. I don't mind guacamole. But again, I would have to eat the whole recipe in a sitting. I've had it brown over night in my fridge. We were in Costco the other day, where they're sold by the bag. I said, 'I wish I could like them!", but left them in the store. I've thrown so many away it's just not cost effective. lol

When I cut in avocado in half, I put the half that still has the pit in it in one of the flimsiest sandwich bags I can find and I mash the plastic down onto the flesh of the avocado. I just close it up as tight as I can and I put it down on something in the fridge that will help hold the plastic onto the flesh, like a wrap covered bowl. I have left them like that for up to three days and had very little browning. We buy the package of them at Sam's Club and have had very good luck with them, we rarely get a bad avocado. And we love them, I can just cut and slice one and eat it plain.

We are also firm believers in eating low-carb. Once you get past the cravings, you get to where you don't even think about bread and potatoes and stuff like that. It's a very satisfying way to eat.

I have lost and kept off 30 pounds eating low carb and cutting portions. In the beginning it was discouraging to walk through the grocery store and read the carbs on the nutrition facts label.

However, I really need need to cut from where I am. A1c soon, and I am dreading it. You all have inspired me.

As for the potatoes, rice, noodles-- to me those foods are not very tasty unless they have some kind of sauce on them. I don't miss them.

For carb counting I use the Calorie King app. It has carbs too.

Wow Debby! You and your daughter look great.

I've been inching closer and closer to low carb. Can't make a total leap because my dh misses it. Then he goes and stocks up on junk food to replace what I'm not buying. I don't have what it takes to cook two meals so I'm doing it moderately. I know some fruits and veggies are higher glycemic than others. I continue to use them anyway. I've realized my kids are better off with a homemade fruit smoothie as an after school snack than say cupcakes or cookies or any other junk food they can rustle up.

I'm not a big fan of the cauliflower as mashed potatoes probably because I've eaten cauliflower my entire life and have loved it. My kids don't like it as much. I looked up a loaded cauliflower recipe and will make it tonight to see if I can change their minds. My cauliflower is purple so we'll see. Either they'll think it is really cool or ask that I not do that again. Lol!

I used to not like avocados. After trying the South Beach diet 12 years ago, I started liking them. I don't eat them much because they go bad for me. I will try Flamingo's method of preservation. I like them as guacamole, but they might be ok in smoothies. I haven't tried that at home yet. The store made smoothies always taste like unwashed produce to me.

I love avocados. I buy them when they are on special and freeze them, and after defrosting they make wonderful guacamole or salad dressing. The texture changes but it is not noticeable when you use them mashed.

Debby, here is my favorite way to eat avocados. Slice half of one into a small bowl. Season with red wine vinegrette--Wishbone makes a good one. Add pepper and enjoy.

I am dipping my toe in here ( have at times done somewhat low carb and do believe it's valid but I really like fruit) -- I am looking for a really good loaded cauliflower recipe? I just tried googling and there are quite a few. Also fwiw, I would be omitting bacon. Do you think it would still be tasty?thank you

I think you could probably make your cauliflower like you make mashed potatoes and it would be really good even without bacon. I made it last night. The recipe I used said to boil the cauliflower on the stove with three coves of crushed garlic. I like garlic so I added extra. You cook for about 20 minutes and then drain and mash up your cauliflower. I used a hand mixer on mine. I added sour cream and butter and salt and pepper and a couple of chopped green onions. I sprayed an oven safe pan and put the cauliflower mixture in and then layered with cheese, bacon, and green onion.

It turned out pretty tasty, but looked weird with the purple cauliflower. I made it and set it on the stove while I ran to the school and store. I came back and my daughter had eaten about 2/3rds of it. The kids said not to compare it to potatoes. They thought it was more like the baba ganoush and hummus that we get at the Lebanese restaurant.

When I make loaded cauliflower (mine is in the oven), I don't really follow a recipe. I have a HUGE cauliflower today, so I chopped up a full pack of bacon and fried it crisp. Drain the grease (save it for frying meat in!!!). Cook a head of cauliflower for ONLY 10 minutes. Don't over cook it. Drain it and chop it up really good. Add all the bacon bits (don't use store bought. ew!). To that add about 1/2 cup of sour cream. Just enough to hold it together. Add a bunch of grated cheddar cheese. I use about 1 cup, but more is good. :) Also about 1/4 of a very fine diced onion. For spices I only use garlic powder, pink salt and fresh ground pepper. Mix it all together, put it in a caserole dish and bake @ 400F for about 20 minutes or until it starts to brown. Sometimes mine is a little soupy. Other times it's nice a dry. I have no idea why when I make it the same every time.

Went off low carb. Gained back weight. Starting back on low carb but this time am feeling the keto flu.

Aw. I've restarted limiting carbs and am down 15 pounds since March. Can't say I know what keto flu is? I was having trouble sleeping when I first cut it out, and that, I read was insulin resistance. So will you add a carb or two until the flu dies down or just push through?

One way to combat the keto flu is to drink some beef or chicken broth. The sodium will help you feel better and you'll feel fuller (more full?), too. I need to get back on low carb, too. My willpower is currently very low.

Rob I'm just going to push through. Flamingo, thank you for reminding me, I had heard about the chicken broth to help and had forgotten.

All of life is trying, I think complete and permanent success in all things comes to few.

i do low carb also....follow Trim Healthy Mama or THM...lots of good recipes on pinterest... look for Briana Thomas, Mrs. Criddle's kitchen, Gwen's nest...

basically no sugar, low carb, certain fats ( coconut, olive oil, cheese, butter etc)..

lost 15lbs, at goal weight since last summer. if i gain, can lose within a week or less depending how stringent i am....

When you drink the soup broth, make sure it's home made broth. The stuff in the can or carton is disgusting. For anyone who is interested (I haven't scrolled up to see if I posted this before....) this is my Keto board on Pinterest. There are dozens of recipes and helpful websites about Ketogenics and how it helps various health issues. It's not just for weight loss. In fact, it was designed for children with seizures. The weight loss was just a nice side effect.

https://www.pinterest.com/debby_ca/keto/

Debby, are you talking about bone broth? If so, I agree! I bought a couple of brands, both organic, in cartons--and threw them out. Definitely disgusting. I don't know why.

Yes, home made bone broth. It's the only way to go. ;)

I lost 12 lbs on Weight Watchers and then completely stalled at the last 10 lbs. Didn't budge for months. So I went on Atkins (induction keeps carbs below 20g/day, then slowly add back) and am quickly losing the last 10. Let me attest to the fact, at least in my case, that if you want to get rid of the "menopause waist bulge" low carb works!

I made it through the keto flu. Last time wasn't like this, the past few days have been abject misery. Also, the Devil sat on my shoulder, telling me to go ahead and eat some cookies or that cheesecake in the freezer and I'd be fine and feel so much better, but I told him to go to Hell and stuck with it.

I went to the store today and picked up some cheddar for snacks and a bunch of salad stuff. Did a bit of weightlifting this morning too.

I am making the Crack slaw tonight.

I know the conversation has passed avocados, but for anyone who doesn't like them...and may not be able to understand why anyone does....let me say, there are good avocados and bad. There is nothing in between. when selecting an avocado, get the brightest green one you can find. That means it isn't ripe and no one has squeezed it yet. Don't squeeze it....ever. Every time you squeeze an avocado, you bruise it. A little bruise will change the taste of the entire avocado. Bring it home and set it on the counter. After one or two days, it will change color. when it is dark green, it is ready for slicing. The next day...guacamole. I eat avocados almost every day and I see people picking them up and squeezing them, and I cringe.

Low carbers, do you eat avocado? I do. They have significant carbs, but a lot of good nutrition. I don't count net carbs, I count all of them, try to keep under 15 for now.

I've always eaten a lot of avocados. Quite honestly, I was unaware that they have significant carbs; I think of them as been high fat--good fat.

Fifteen grams of carbs per day sounds low to me.

Husband loved the crack slaw....I liked it too. Went together fast.

No, avocados are very low in carbs. You can eat 1/2 an avocado per day on the first phase of Atkins.

Avocado are the best fruits to eat on Keto. Yes, they're high in carbs, but they're also high in fiber. You subtract the fiber from the carbs to get the net carbs. Keto eaters only eat 20 net carbs a day. And I still can't eat them. Yuck.

Also the Crackslaw! I make it often. It's delicious and very easy to make.

There is a whole complex 'net carb' controversy, and I count all carbs. Many keto eaters only eat 15 total carbs or less, which is what I'm aiming for. An avocado has about 17 grams of carbs. So I can eat half of one.

15-20 carbs for a day? No thanks. I'll stick with 100 or less. I can't even call that living it's so low. Net or otherwise. Wow.

I made the Loaded Califlower today. It was delicious. I actually feel guilty, like I cheated.

I aim for around 50 - 60 net carbs per day and occasionally allow myself more if it's a treat day. I don't like to call them cheat days as I feel that term has a negative connotation that makes me fell like I failed in some way. A treat day is when I purposely set out to eat higher in carbs than usual, like going out for pizza or having a beautiful dessert.

One of my favorite snacks when I have a sweet tooth is a small bowl of sliced strawberries with whipped cream and toasted sliced almonds sprinkled on top.

When I was in losing mode, I tried to stick to between 20 - 30 net carbs per day.