Low carb wonders - I stopped nibbling my fingernails

[Bex72]

I feel fab eating lower carb meals. There are so many benefits: I don't get hungry so hace lost some of the middle age spread, also I don't get so much brain fog. Touch wood, after a rocky start, my migraines have disappeared.

What has surprised me most is that 40+ years of nibbling my fingernails stopped when I made the change.

I wasn't a constant nibbler, my nails would grow a little and every few days or so get nibbled down. I assumed it was a stress related habit. I always felt slightly ashamed that I did this to myself. I tried over the counter remedies yo no avail. I assumed that I would always nibble.

Has anyone else experienced any unexpected low carb benefits?

 

[MrsA2]

My skin seems clearer of spots, and less dry

 

[SaskiaKC]

I wish I liked low-carb meals but I just don't. The LC substitutes for carby sides make me gag. I really envy people who can eat LC meals. I wish I could!

 

[Resurgam]

What do you mean by 'carby sides'?

 

[Daphne917]

I wish I liked low-carb meals but I just don't. The LC substitutes for carby sides make me gag. I really envy people who can eat LC meals. I wish I could!

I don’t like many of the substitutes such as cauli rice, naked noodles etc but I like using courgettes as a substitute for lasagne and spaghetti or noodles in a stir fry. Tried to make Fathead Pizza a couple of times but failed and my Keto porridge ended up like wallpaper paste and tasted awful so now I tend to have more of the low carb foods such as meat, eggs, cheese, dairy and veg and go easy on the potatoes and bread etc.

 

[VashtiB]

I wish I liked low-carb meals but I just don't. The LC substitutes for carby sides make me gag. I really envy people who can eat LC meals. I wish I could!

hi- I feel your pain to0 some extent.

before this diagnosis I was not a big meat eater- red meat 3-4 times a year maybe though a lot more for chicken and fish. I was a big eater of carbs- bread, rice, potatoes- you name it I would eat it. I found the transition to LCHF difficult- I was so grateful to this forum without it I would have given up. I am now an unashamed advocate of LCHF. would I eat carbs if my body could tolerate them? yes- but low arb has got rid of my asthma completely. In Australia we had major fires- before low carb I would have ended up in hospital-- this year not even a cough. In Australia we have a brand of 'milk chocolate' that is low carb and I have some most days- I also have diet jelly. in terms of carbs sides- I like cauliflower mash- I add cheese and either chives or spring onions to vary the texture.

what sides are you particularly having difficulty with the low carb version?

 

[DavidGrahamJones]

The LC substitutes for carby sides make me gag.

If by LC substitute you mean something that is processed or manufactured that's the problem.

Personally I don't eat any food that's been processed/manufactured except for tinned ratatouille and Quorn.

I don’t like many of the substitutes such as cauli rice,

That's interesting, when I started making cauliflower rice which I steam, the one thing I noticed was a lack of taste. We're all different, I've tried some low carb pasta and it was like cardboard.

 

[DCUKMod]

I wish I liked low-carb meals but I just don't. The LC substitutes for carby sides make me gag. I really envy people who can eat LC meals. I wish I could!

It's a shame you don't care for many of the LC sides. In that situation, I just leave the sides out of it, and eat the meat/fish/eggs or whatever.

Are there any things that particularly leave you "cold"?

 

[Daphne917]

If by LC substitute you mean something that is processed or manufactured that's the problem.

Personally I don't eat any food that's been processed/manufactured except for tinned ratatouille and Quorn.



That's interesting, when I started making cauliflower rice which I steam, the one thing I noticed was a lack of taste. We're all different, I've tried some low carb pasta and it was like cardboard.

I like cauliflower with or w/out cheese but don’t like the cauli rice. My substitute for pasta is courgette either spirallised for spaghetti or thinly cut slices for lasagne although I do sometimes have the real thing cooked, cooled and reheated.

 

[Goonergal]

I feel fab eating lower carb meals. There are so many benefits: I don't get hungry so hace lost some of the middle age spread, also I don't get so much brain fog. Touch wood, after a rocky start, my migraines have disappeared.

Great news on all fronts, especially the migraines!

 

[SaskiaKC]

What do you mean by 'carby sides'?

Rice, potatoes, bread, etc.

 

[SaskiaKC]

If by LC substitute you mean something that is processed or manufactured that's the problem.

I mean cauliflower "rice" and other riced vegetables, e.g., zucchini (courgettes). Although to be fair to zucchini, I have only tried the frozen, pre-riced variety. I like fresh zucchini so maybe I should buy a grater and start ricing my own, along with yellow squash. Baked in butter, could be delicious.

 

[SaskiaKC]

I like cauliflower with or w/out cheese but don’t like the cauli rice. My substitute for pasta is courgette either spirallised for spaghetti or thinly cut slices for lasagne although I do sometimes have the real thing cooked, cooled and reheated.

I am the same, as to cauliflower and courgette.

 

[Resurgam]

Split a leek along the tube and flatten out into sheets for lasagne - the middle can be chopped and added to the meat.
I never ate much high carb food when growing up so don't feel the need to try to make imitations, I eat the things used as substitutes, but I always did. Herbs and spices were used in small amounts to give a zing to dishes.

 

[Bex72]

I wish I liked low-carb meals but I just don't. The LC substitutes for carby sides make me gag. I really envy people who can eat LC meals. I wish I could!

I needed a lot of cook books for inspiration. My favourites are by Katie and Giancatlo Caldesi (their 2nd book is on sale v cheaply in The Works atm). They really helped me to like cauliflower rice. Their basic recipe is with finely diced onion, softed first and then all cooked on the hob with oil. There are lots of variations. The combo with onion stopped me from gagging. Instead of pasta, try finely sliced courgette, cabbage, beans. French beans can be cut the other way to make penne. The cabbage tagliatelle was fine. I like courgetti but need to reduce excess water. I love aubergines so these are a sraple, as are peppers and avocados.
I have used celeriac and swede in moderation.
Instead of tacos, little gem leaves work a treat. Probably my favourite lunch is salad nicoise.
I've been in bed more than out recently (as the whole family have covid). It's only looking at cookbooks that is keeping me going. I don't feel like eating much today, a few of us have nausea as a symptom.
I hope that you are able to find something that you can stomach.

 

[Bex72]

I don’t like many of the substitutes such as cauli rice, naked noodles etc but I like using courgettes as a substitute for lasagne and spaghetti or noodles in a stir fry. Tried to make Fathead Pizza a couple of times but failed and my Keto porridge ended up like wallpaper paste and tasted awful so now I tend to have more of the low carb foods such as meat, eggs, cheese, dairy and veg and go easy on the potatoes and bread etc.

When I feel better (after this bout of covid), I am going to try and make pizza. I'm using the Caldesi books. I will report back.

 

[Bex72]

hi- I feel your pain to0 some extent.

before this diagnosis I was not a big meat eater- red meat 3-4 times a year maybe though a lot more for chicken and fish. I was a big eater of carbs- bread, rice, potatoes- you name it I would eat it. I found the transition to LCHF difficult- I was so grateful to this forum without it I would have given up. I am now an unashamed advocate of LCHF. would I eat carbs if my body could tolerate them? yes- but low arb has got rid of my asthma completely. In Australia we had major fires- before low carb I would have ended up in hospital-- this year not even a cough. In Australia we have a brand of 'milk chocolate' that is low carb and I have some most days- I also have diet jelly. in terms of carbs sides- I like cauliflower mash- I add cheese and either chives or spring onions to vary the texture.

what sides are you particularly having difficulty with the low carb version?

Your cauliflower mash sounds divine. I will give it a go.

 

[Brunneria]

@Bex72
It is brilliant that you feel so much better (Covid aside!).
My main LC improvements are higher energy levels, brain fog elimination and reduction in gut issues (used to have heartburn regularly and bloating). Although the gut improvements coincide with going gluten free.

 

[Bex72]

@Bex72
It is brilliant that you feel so much better (Covid aside!).
My main LC improvements are higher energy levels, brain fog elimination and reduction in gut issues (used to have heartburn regularly and bloating). Although the gut improvements coincide with going gluten free.

Thanks. You are right. No bloating now at all.

 

[MrsA2]

I'm also enjoying fewer but longer wees (blush)
I hadnt realised how often and little I was going. I had put it down to being female of a certain age