I need to cut back on bad carbs: alternatives to them?

I really just noticed that almost all of my diet is made up of carbohydrates, and some of them are not good either.

I'd like to reduce my carb intake, but I don't know what good foods are out there that aren't almost halfway made of carbs!

Things I don't eat:

Anything like cereal, bread, pasta, and the obvious carbs.

Basically:

Does anyone have some good meals that don't invlove a lot of bad carbs?

make pancakes out of plain unsweetened soy protein powder

add one scoop of the powder to 1/4-1/2 cup of egg whites, add cinnamon, baking powder, and stevia, mix, pour into a skilet and cook like a normal pancake

server with fruit, yogurt, SF syrup, SF jam...etc what ever you like!

they are basically carb free. except for the 1-2 grams of carbs (which is mainly fiber) in the soy.. and contain 30-40 grams of protein depending on how much egg whites you use or how much soy protien

...

have you tried Shirataki Noodles? 0 grams impactable carbs, all fiber

eat lots of low starch/sugar vegetables

some of my fav veg recipes include:

-cauliflower rice

-mashed "potatoes".. made with cauliflower!!

-fries... made out of zucchini strips!!

...

eggs/egg whites:

-cinnamon egg omlette

-egg pizza (make a plain omlette, then spread with tomato paste or sauce, sprinkle with italian seasonings, parmasan cheese, and extra veggies if desired)

...

add egg whites into oatmeal

try greek yogurt

blend Mori Nu lite firm tofu, vanilla and stevia into "pudding"... or add gelatin, let set and make "cheesecake"

...

I have tons more

What are bad carbs?

Bad carbohydrate foods are those that are not in their natural state. They have been refined and contain additive that make them tasty but most of the nutritional value has been removed. Bottom line, they are empty calories.

What are good carbs?

Food that contain carbs in their natural state.

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Beans
• Legumes
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Whole grain breads
• Whole grain cereals
• Whole grain pastas
• Some dairy products

Okay that lesson is over for today. Now to answer your question.

Meals like the following are low in bad carbs:

• Cobb Salad
• Taco Salad (Don't eat the tortilla bowl!)
• Meat, Vegetable, and side salad
• Spagetti sauce over Spaghetti squash

However, if like me you like your starches (carbs) then try the diet I'm currently using. (If you want to call it a diet.)

Ground Rules

• Fruit alone or leave it alone.
• Never mix protein foods with starch foods
• Wait the minimum digestion time before eating a different food combination

Digestion Times

• Fruits - 20 minutes
• Salad and raw Vegetables - 2 hours
• Starch and Vegetables - 3 hours
• Protein and Vegetables - 4 hours

Here's the link to the diet I'm using (if you want to call it a diet).

http://www.plweightlossclinic.com/

Good Luck!

Original Post by raybanslady:

Ground Rules

• Fruit alone or leave it alone.
• Never mix protein foods with starch foods
• Wait the minimum digestion time before eating a different food combination

people have been eating carbs (starches) and proteins together for thousands of years.. there is no reason why you have to separate them and wait hours before you can eat your next item

do you actually go to a restaurant and say "I'll eat my bun now, but bring out my burger in 4 hours"?

the human body is perfectly capable of digesting both at the same time. Not only does paring a carb with a protein fill you up quicker and keep you satisfied, it's the way that you SHOULD eat your meals

ex: turkey slices on a whole wheat wrap with vegetables, cottage cheese with fruit, vegetables with hummas, chicken with salad

the only reason I can think of to separate foods would be if you have problems digesting certain food types.. the majority of the population doesnt though

and I have heard before that fruit should be eaten alone on an empty stomach first thing in the morning because its good for the disgestive system and the carbs kick start your metabolism

Original Post by raybanslady:

Ground Rules

• Fruit alone or leave it alone.
• Never mix protein foods with starch foods
• Wait the minimum digestion time before eating a different food combination

Digestion Times

• Fruits - 20 minutes
• Salad and raw Vegetables - 2 hours
• Starch and Vegetables - 3 hours
• Protein and Vegetables - 4 hours

I definitely disagree with that point. Combining protein and starch is the best way to feel satisfied.  The "perfect", well rounded meal = 1/4 lean protein, 1/4 starch, 1/2 vegetable.

Also, any diet that says to avoid fruit seems too restrictive and silly. Fruit is full of nutrients and part of a balanced diet.

I never said "don't" eat fruit.  Just don't mix it with other foods.  Also, I never said this diet was for everyone.

On this diet, I can eat all of the food groups and feel full and satisfied.  I just don't mix certain combinations.

Like you, I disagreed with this philosophy.  But, I have watched several of my friends lose weight on this diet and they have kept it off.  So, I decided to give it a try.

Eating a Cobb Salad or Chicken Salad satisfies me.  I also eat starchy foods when I want, just not with a protein.  It is working for me and I'm eating all of the food groups which is healthy.

I'll stick to my diet and you stick to yours.  I have to do what is best for me and respect your decision to do what is best for you.

But, I would like to see your recipe for "fries... made out of zucchini strips".  Sounds intriguing.

Have you tried fried chicken made with crushed pork rinds instead of flour?

Original Post by raybanslady:

But, I would like to see your recipe for "fries... made out of zucchini strips".  Sounds intriguing.

Have you tried fried chicken made with crushed pork rinds instead of flour?

When I make zucchini fries, I just cut the veg into fry shapes, brush with olive oil, season and bake for 20 mins. I might top them with parmesan cheese.

I use multibran-flax cereal for breaded chicken.

wow, I read a few articles in your "diet" plan ("if you want to call it a diet")

and I refuse to believe in anything that would actually say something like this:

Dr. Dewey said, "There are no overweights who would not receive the greatest benefit by a fast that would diminish the pounds to that of the ripest maturity of life, a fast that would be determined by the time required to reach the desired number of pounds."

Fasting is not only a quick, safe, and effective way to lose weight but the added benefit of ridding the body of toxic debris is a bonus.

1) fasting is NOT safe

2) fasting is NOT an effective way to lose weight... most of the wieght loss will be primarily water loss, and be regained once food is re-introduced

3) fasting does NOT rid the body of toxins... if there was that much toxins in your body, you would be dead.

...

I would advise you to really do some actual research and not be brain washed by this "diet" '*if you want to call it a diet*... while some of the articles have some valid points (eat whole foods, eat lots of vegetables, avoid refined products etc,) a lot of them are complete nonsense like avoiding protein

Original Post by raybanslady:

ILike you, I disagreed with this philosophy.  But, I have watched several of my friends lose weight on this diet and they have kept it off.  So, I decided to give it a try.

 It is working for me and I'm eating all of the food groups which is healthy.

Not as a knock on what you're doing, but just an observation. Isn't it possible that you just end up eating less calories on a diet like this and that is why you are losing weight? I'm guessing your meals are smaller since you aren't mixing protein and carbs, which would result in weight loss. I doubt the actual combination of foods has anything to do with it. I had a chiropracter/trainer suggest a diet just like this once. I can't say if it worked or not, because I could never stick to it. Too many rules for me. If it works for you and you're still getting all your nutrients for the day, then that's great.

There is some truth with not eating protein with carbs and having fruit alone from a digestive perspective, not a weightloss one. Our body uses different digestive juices for different kinds of food. There is some science & research behind it, just can't remember it all.

However, we are capable of eating both at the same time. For some people who do have digestive problems it works very well for them. I have noticed less bloat when I don't combine certain foods. I've tried it a few times when I do have issues but the benefits of constantly having protein in my body outweigh it.  As a few of you have stated above eating fiber, protein with some fats will help one to stay fuller longer. And it keeps my blood sugar levelled.