When can you introduce low carb alternatives?

[Zarabelle]

Hi

Just wondering when I can introduce low carb alternatives such as low carb bread, spaghetti, shakes etc.?

[yemenitegreen]

Read the book. Read the labels. Read the stickies on the OWL part of the board when it's time to move on from induction.

Even the so called low carb breads and spaghetti contain grains, which means, you should eat them sparingly and not before the grain rung of OWL. Or even pre-maintenance.

In OWL you might want to think about spaghetti squash.

Shakes: not all shakes are created equally. Read the labels, count the carbs, try what stalls you or what doesn't and keep in mind these are still substitutes, ersatz food. Make your own. Have a look at the recipe section of the board. Eat real food.

yemenitegreen

[Effie]

Edited to add: Yemenitegreen, you beat me to it! Ah well, here was my response which is quite similar. Great minds think alike

Not until you have reached the appropriate rung in OWL. It really depends on the ingredients in each food. Spaghetti, for example, will still need to wait until the grains rung in OWL, and then you can only have 5 net carbs worth, so a food like this might even be better suited for pre-maintenance.

As an alternative to the...uh... alternatives, have you tried making induction friendly versions of these? For example, you can make your own flax bread, or you can just use a lettuce leaf as wrap for your sandwich. For spaghetti, spaghetti squash is an excellent substitute (and a great way to get your veggies in).

I see you did Atkins last year... did you move through all the rungs, or did you pretty much stay on extended induction?

[Zarabelle]

Hi Guys

Thanks for your help.

Just to clarify, I have no intention of eating them at this time and am doing a clean induction. I just couldn't remember when you could introduce them. I never used to eat them much anyway - they are not they easy to get in the UK and cost a fortune here - but some months down the line, it is nice to have a change/treat.

Cheers

[FightingTheFight]

Theres a time and place for everything.

[2big4mysize]

one way to tell about any food you see is if and only if the ingredients listed for it are on your induction aceptable food or your levle of OWL or premaintenance or maintnenance can you ever have it.

Just like mayo is not listed in the acceptable foods the ingredients for mayo are so we can eat mayo.

[Zarabelle]

Hi Effie

I pretty much stayed on extended Induction for three months as I wanted to lose the maximum amount of weight before my wedding. I would have moved up the OWL rungs but got pregnant on honeymoon so had to leave the Atkins WOE for a while.

I did used to have the odd Frankenfood (as they used to be referred to on these boards!) but only as a rare treat and when I thought I may be tempted to fall off the wagon. As it was so rare, it never slowed my weight loss.

This time, I plan to stay on induction for a couple of months and then move up the rungs. I will introduce the occassional low carb alternative at the appropriate time.

Thanks again.