I have never really given a real effort at dieting, but am ready. When I was pregnant with my last child I had gestaional diabetes. I was put on a extreamly low carb diet and insulan. I lost weight while pregnat which was a concern for me at the time. But this very thing is what intriges me now. I felt so food deprived and hungry all the time. I'm sure there is a happy in between from the diet I was on then and the way I eat now. But I don't know where to start, what to count. I would like to lose about 40 lbs. The problem is that I really enjoy pastas and breads. Do these have to be cut out compleatly? Or can I still have these in moderation? Where can I get diet guidelins for free? Anyone willing to help out a newbie please respond.

Welcome!

If you are doing low carb, you shouldn't feel hungry or deprived. It's one of the most satisfying ways of eating, because you are controlling your insulin and blood sugar levels, and you are getting enough fat to make you feel satisfied.

Pasta and bread are problems for low carbers. They cause a rise in blood sugar and then you get the insulin rushing in to take care of that, and then you store the fat. And then you get really hungry again.

You can find lots of info online. Most of us do Atkins or Protein Power, or a combo of the 2. You can get some good, basic info on the Atkins site, and I am a regular reader of both Drs. Eades blogs.

SCIENCE: Diets, Weight Loss & Nutrition - The Science Behind Atkins

Mary Dan Eades, M.D.

Health and Nutrition by Dr. Michael R. Eades, M.D.

Controlled Carbohydrate Nutritio (This site is by Jackie Eberstein, who used to work with Dr. Atkins)

And an explanation of how low carb works:

A clear explanation of why low carb diets work. (article)

I hope you find some help here. If you can't afford to buy a book, you can try the library. It's best to get your own book, though, so you can dog ear pages, highlight important points, etc.

Most low carb plans start you low on carbs, about 20 net per day (you can deduct fiber from the carb count), and then you gradually add more carbs so that you continue to lose.

Peruse the various stickies in these forums; you'll find lots of good, solid information.

Wishing you success!

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Nita

Welcome!

I thought the same thing about not being able to eat potatoes and bread. I can honestly say though that once starting LCE those thoughts never entered my head. I look at what I can eat......and it looks good and healthy. I'd rather eat bacon with my eggs than have toast anyway.

There is so much information on here and the other links above.

katlupe

Welcome, Tammy.

Hope you'll make yourself at home here.

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Thank you all for your advice. I think I will pick up a book.

The book will be a great help! The other thing that is crucial is to focus on what you can have rather than what you "can't" have!

There are also things that you can use to substitute those things with and low carb versions of those products that some people use. I don't suggest this until your well versed and in complete control over your eating habits!

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"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."
- Sir Winston Churchill

Tanya

My current stats are: 285/257/240(2nd mini goal)/130

26lbs shed!

Down 28lbs!

I found much info on The Atkins Community You can track your weight and carbs.