# Low carb diet for 4 weeks - Anyone care to join me? \[Continung discussion\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 10, 2018, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913 "2018-05-10T11:21:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/281 "2018-06-12T15:50:31Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > nice recommendation. This is gonna help immensely. Those tortillas are lifesavers. Dinner last night was baked boneless, skinless chicken thigh in two tortillas, with ¼ avocado each, and shredded cheese and Tapatio. You might also try [Sara Lee Delightful™](https://www.saraleebread.com/our-breads/delightful-healthy-multi-grain-bread) bread. Two slices are only 90 kilocalories and 13 g net carbohydrates (18 g carbohydrates minus 5 g fibre). And it tastes good. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/282 "2018-06-12T23:27:07Z")
My goal was to have lost 30 pounds by my birthday. Today is my birthday. I’ve lost 40 pounds. Next goal: 20 pounds by the end of the next four months. ETA: I just got back from the supermarket with some of the Sara Lee bread, deli-sliced ham, and Swiss cheese. 🙂 . ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/283 "2018-06-12T23:35:55Z")
Update: down 10 pounds from 7 weeks ago. Not counting rapid water loss in the early stages, I’ve averaged three pounds off every two weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/284 "2018-06-13T01:39:16Z")
> [@johnod](#): > > …down about 23lbs… > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > …I’ve lost 40 pounds… > [@Lumpy](#): > > …down 10 pounds… A hearty congrats to all! And happy birthday Johnny! mmm ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/285 "2018-06-13T15:12:46Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > If anyone is interested, breakfast this morning was two burritos: Two [Mission Carb Balance (4 g net each) tortillas](https://target.scene7.com/is/image/Target/49159664?wid=488&hei=488&fmt=pjpeg), 1.5 ‘jumbo’ scrambled eggs, two rashers bacon, 2 tablespoons Pace Picante sauce (1 g carbohydrate), shredded cheese. Those tortillas are a lifesaver for me. I’m hypoglycemic (I have no idea why) and when I need carbs or sugars quickly, a tortilla hits the spot. We’ve been eating a lot of eggs and sausage, and canned meats. Getting a little old, but they are cheap, and we are not doing well financially. Eating protein instead of cheap carbs is expensive. I know processed meats are bad, but so is being obese. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/286 "2018-06-13T15:21:48Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > And happy birthday Johnny! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/287 "2018-06-13T21:52:05Z")
Monday morning, I was down ten pounds (10.1) from the start, but my body fat is not dropping at all. After the first week, I’ve been running about a pound a week, which isn’t exciting, but feels healthy. I’m on vacation now, and getting plenty of, ‘Oh, one piece of bread won’t hurt’, so my options are going hungry or exercising a lot more, so I’ll be walking a lot , I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/288 "2018-06-14T03:35:45Z")
**Trader Joe’s Roasted & Unsalted Mixed Nuts** have 5 g carbohydrates per serving – and two of those are fibre, so they’re 5 net grams (and 180 kilocalories). I’ll be honest, I can easily eat four ¼ cup servings at a sitting. I love nuts. But while one serving isn’t ‘enough’, it’s enough to satisfy my craving. I’m not a big sweet-eater. Still I like something sweet from time to time. I’ll occasionally allow myself a ‘chocolate ration’. I have ⅓ serving (one square) of **Trader Joe’s 72% Dark Chocolate**. Taking the fibre into account, it rounds up to 5 g of carbohydrates. It’s been a week or so since I’ve had my chocolate ration, but I know I can have some any time without a huge carb penalty. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/289 "2018-06-14T22:39:45Z")
I went to the doctor today for my first physical in 4 years. I’ve been putting it off and putting it off, finally decided to be an adult about it. Anyway, I was very surprised at my blood pressure (usually around 144/90, today 130/72) and my pulse (usually 90-92, today 68). I’m interested in seeing my blood work results (cholesterol, lipids, etc.) which will be mailed to me soon. So if you’re due for a physical, pick up the phone and make an appointment! I feel so good that I did. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/290 "2018-06-14T22:56:31Z")
> [@CharmaChameleon](#): > > Sunny Daze–Here’s how I do ice cream. > > 1 pint heavy whipping cream > 14 oz. can coconut milk (I like Thai brand) > 1 tsp. vanilla extract > 1/2 tsp. salt > 1/2 cup Truvia or other sweetener > (1/2 cup cocoa for chocolate) > > Whip the cream in a mixing bowl until it gets thick. > Dump in the coconut milk and vanilla, and mix some more. > Add the salt and sweetener and mix some more. > If you’re adding cocoa, add it last, using a low mixer speed. > > I sometimes add 1 teaspoon orange, almond, or peppermint flavoring, and have found crushed macadamia nuts or pecans help. > > Freeze it and consume as you like. (It will get pretty hard in the freezer. I guess if you wanted you could use some of those silicon molds to shape it into ice cream bars.) I have a heavy duty ice cream maker, so I’m pulling that out and will be starting by doing a regular churned chocolate, but subbing in Swerve for the sugar. I’ll report back. I’m down 10 pounds. Less than I hoped, but better than a poke in the eye. Happy birthday Johnny! ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/291 "2018-06-15T00:24:14Z")
I’ve tried making no-sugar ice cream in the past but got very iffy results. Without the sugar to soften the texture it tends to be either mushy or rock solid. I notice that store brands of no-sugar ice cream include tons of texture additives: guar gum, lecithin, carrageenan, etc. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/292 "2018-06-15T04:01:30Z")
You can buy those texture additives if you want. Bob’s Red Mill sells guar gum and another useful one I can’t recall at the moment. I’ve bought them at Whole Foods but you can buy them online too. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/293 "2018-06-15T04:26:28Z")
Blew it tonight. Mrs. L.A. took me out to dinner. Steak and lobster and escargots. I had _one_ slice of the little loaf of bread. The good news is that I had spinach and steamed vegetables. The bad news is that it was creamed spinach, and I ate some of the green beans in the veg. (I did put the slices of potato and carrot aside.) _And_ I had a little triangle of puff pastry that was stuck into the spinach. And a bit of merlot. _sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/294 "2018-06-15T04:46:41Z")
[Slow Carb Diet (SCD) Tim Ferriss](https://tim.blog/category/the-slow-carb-diet/) is one I tried before. Has a lot of tweaks that work for Tim Ferris but seem like a lot of woo to me. That said, he has a theory (which I have not seen actually proven) that your body will go into starvation mode if you keep up the low (he calls it slow carb). BUT you can avoid this by going hog wild one day per week. In other words, pick a day like every Saturday, ethen at whatever and however much you want of anything. This serves the function of avoiding “starvation mode” and for some people makes it easier to stick 100% to the diet if you know the fast is broken on Sat. A work buddy and I did this a few years ago. I remember we both took almost unhuman joy in thinking about how we would respectively go off the wagon on the coming Saturday, and then brag spectacularly about the gluttony on Monday morning. (Don’t know about you, but lunch started with a couple of orders of salsa with extra chips, French fries and onion rings, before digging into a steak sandwich with a big ol honking sourdough loaf masquerading as a bun, a couple ears of corn and topped it off with sweet potato pie along with a couple of triple IPA’s.) As a diet, it took me down 5 pounds fast and then really didn’t move after that. The Saturday food binge was kinda fun for a few weeks. Anyhoo, Johnny, just tossing that out as a thought. Maybe its easier to stick on the diet longer term if there is no guilt meal once a week you can starve yourself to wait for??? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/295 "2018-06-15T05:30:59Z")
I do have a small portion of freshly-grated hashbrowns every Saturday… ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/296 "2018-06-15T09:49:06Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > …Maybe its easier to stick on the diet longer term if there is no guilt meal once a week you can starve yourself to wait for??? I am wired just the opposite. Once I cheat it takes all the king’s horses and all the king’s men to get me back up on that diet. The “all or none” principle works better for me. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/297 "2018-06-15T13:57:09Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Once I cheat it takes all the king’s horses and all the king’s men to get me back up on that diet. I tend to double down on the ‘diet’. (In quotes because I want this to be a lifestyle change.) ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/298 "2018-06-15T18:02:31Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > You can buy those texture additives if you want. Bob’s Red Mill sells guar gum and another useful one I can’t recall at the moment. I’ve bought them at Whole Foods but you can buy them online too. I think Swerve is supposed to behave more like real sugar would, and my ice cream maker is the home version of an industrial one, so it will do a great job on the churn. I’ll try it one time this way and then we’ll see what happens. > [@China\_Guy](#): > > [Slow Carb Diet (SCD) Tim Ferriss](https://tim.blog/category/the-slow-carb-diet/) is one I tried before. Has a lot of tweaks that work for Tim Ferris but seem like a lot of woo to me. That said, he has a theory (which I have not seen actually proven) that your body will go into starvation mode if you keep up the low (he calls it slow carb). BUT you can avoid this by going hog wild one day per week. In other words, pick a day like every Saturday, ethen at whatever and however much you want of anything. This serves the function of avoiding “starvation mode” and for some people makes it easier to stick 100% to the diet if you know the fast is broken on Sat.[…] My worry on this is that huge binges will knock me out of ketosis and I’ll have to start over again. Little indulgences like **Johnny** ’s don’t seem to have that affect. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/299 "2018-06-15T18:42:16Z")
I had a little bit of no-no because I had some friends over helping me with some work and they requested grilled cheese sammiches for lunch–and I had a loaf of parmesan garlic sourdough in the freezer that predates my diet change. So I made them sammiches but I’m damned and go to hell if I’m going to waste the rest of it so over the course of several days I used it, sliced whisper thin, to make salami and cheese sammiches for me. Not a big slip, but a delicious one! I resisted the candied pecans one of them schlepped over and the rest of the dreadful things they were eating so I feel NO guilt. And I ate a ton of good salads too. My coagulation numbers are awful, but otherwise I feel pretty damned good. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/300 "2018-06-15T19:32:52Z")
I’m stuck at the same weight for a week! What do you do when you hit those dreaded plateaus? Suggestions? I’m still at the same “down almost 10” that I posted last. I recently had a coworker say, “You don’t need to lose more weight…” \*\*I know \*\*at what weight my knees don’t hurt and my back feels good. I’m almost there. It’s not about fitting into a particular size or having a certain size waist. I feel light and healthy at just under 120. These last 10 are a killer. It’s so great to read about everyone’s progress. Congratulations! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913.md?page=16)