Low carb/Atkins

[Bizkit]

Ok so want to give this a go, however it's not for weightloss.
I have reactive hypoglycaemia, in the last year I have given up gluten (thought still slip up sometimes) and also cut refined sugars, I eat fairly healthy in fact, my hypoglycaemia has got better but I still have symptoms, I also suffer acne and I know it's linked to my condition and I'm getting so down about it I need drastic action. My cutting of sugary foods has improved it but still not completely got rid so my next thing to try is low carb...as it makes sense as I believe it is too much insulin in my body causing me problems.

I just wanted some advice, first off I'm unsure whether to do the hardcore Atkins with the induction phase etc or just to do low carbing in general.

Also the easiest way to count carbs?
Do I really have to do the mathematical equation in my head everytime I eat something? Or am I over complicating it? I mean like pre packed stuff with the carbs per 100g on it?

Also I need some ideas for breakfast that is quick...don't have a lot of time in morning and snacks that ain't to messy to eat that I can eat at my desk at work (receptionist)

[miffy49]

I used to get really bad hypos before I went low carb. I haven't had once since I started. I eat very low carb as I need to lose weight too.

I wonder if the easiest would be to do the two week induction where you cut right down to 20gr or under and then do as Atkins suggests and add back carbs at the rate of 5gr a day with a week between increases until you find your own optimum level. It varies a lot between people so you do need to find what suits you personally.

Lots of ideas on here if you look around. Maybe one of the others will post you some links as I'm not sure how to do it! If you click the link in at the top of the page that says 'check it out' you will get to some more info.

[Bizkit]

Thanks, I think I will do the induction phase then build back up, am just a little worried how I will react, dr says I should have at least 30% carbs with every meal (but I don't think they know much about my condition)

So far today have had my normal porridge with almond milk and flaxseed and blueberries, though I know I'm going to have to give up the porridge. I think it works out at about 22g carb per portion.

Lunch was avocado and cheese omelette which I found on the Atkins website.

Is there any good carb counting apps out there? Have just got my fitness pal but not sure how to use it or customise it to low carb

[lljkk]

I am toying with this for health & curiosity reasons, too, but the tedium of counting carbs is really putting me off.

Anything below about 300 grams/day is lower than the supposed healthy, so I think 20 grams must be quite a shock. Especially if like me you don't really like meat or fat!

I am thinking to go about 80grams for 3 days & then up to 160 grams and see how that does as a maintenance number. I'll have to stop or drastically raise grams if I lose more than 5 kg.

[miffy49]

I use Fat Secret which is very similar to MFP. I just put what I have into the food diary but just look at the carbs. You need to be a little careful with net carbs. I tend just to go for the main carb figure as you never know who has entered the info into the database! It can get confusing with the info crossing continents. In the USA fibre is included in the carb total on food labels hence the need for net carbs. (ie carb less any indigestible fibre)In the UK and Europe we list the fibre as a separate entity so our labels are already net carb.

Have you looked at the Diet Doctor site? He has quite a bit of stuff on blood glucose. Low carb does seem the way to go but some docs are still wary and don't know that much about it. Personally I'm best on as few carbs as possible but you will soon find your path. The first two weeks are hardest but get those behind you and most people feel tons better. Whats two weeks of your life if it gets results!

[miffy49]

If you are worried about dropping carbs right down why not look at Zoe Harcombe's web site? Shes big on hypoglycaemia. She does two weeks hard core but then introduces carb meals. It might suit you better.

[lljkk]

Bizkit I've just been looking at the advice for diabetics. May be mostly American.

They talk a lot about recognising "single servings" of carbs, which is to say they work in units of 15 grams. So what the diabetics learn to do is to recognise a serving that has 15 grams of C and then work from there in their calculations and targets.

Not precise enough for a modern true low diet planning, but the idea (recognising common units of what is 5 or 3 or 10 carbs) might work.

Read here
and here.

[Bizkit]

Thanks for all the advice, I'm gonna spend the next week or so just adding up what I actually eat on average normally as I have no clue, then set my self a target, at the moment I'm thinking to start with 100g a day, rather than the very strict 20g a Day. I'm feeling very positive about it though and will be lurking on these boards