An English man in need of suggestions...

[matty7890]

Hi, I am starting the induction tomorrow. Just went to the shops and loaded the larder with a variety of meats and cheeses and salads. Trying my hardest to steer clear of sugars and those dreaded carbs.

I am aware that there are a variety of recipes and food suggestions already on the forum but I live in the UK and lot of the foods I can't get hold of e.g. I can't for the life of me find a salad dressing that doesn't have sugar in it. Also, there aren't that many low carb products to but off the shelf. I normally shop at CO-OP, Morrisons or ASDA and would appreciate any advice.

In summary I would like:

1) Any advice on branded food I can buy in UK supermarkets (brands and where I can buy them from would be brill!)

2) Any advice on salad dressing (we all know dry salad isn't that exciting!)

3) Good value food which is great for the Atkins diet (I am a poor student after all).

4) Snack ideas that I can buy or make myself.

Thanks

Matt

[*Emma*]

Hi!

I'm in the UK, there is a lot less options here but its still doable, meat n veggies dont need to be branded! what exactly are you hoping to find and maybe i can help out on that one?

for salad dressing i just use mayo, though i'm sure someone here found a ranch dressing somewhere, maybe they'll pop in with that!

good value food... hmmm... do you have an iceland near you? i buy their fresh chicken and steak packs, leave a couple out and freeze some, theyre not bad 4 steaks for £4!

snack ideas... you always have the ol' cucumber sticks dipped in cream cheese, pepperoni, chicken wings, cheese, pork scratchings (watch the sodium tho) uhhh...

I always cook too much for dinner so that theres something in the fridge to snack on all the time.

[Discolemonade]

Ranch Dressing:


RANCH-STYLE SALAD DRESSING
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sour cream
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2 drops Tabasco
1/8 teaspoon granular Splenda
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon dill
1/2 teaspoon chives
1 teaspoon fresh parsley, minced

Mix all ingredients and chill well before serving.

Makes about 7 tablespoons

Per Tablespoon: 76 Calories; 8g Fat; trace Protein; 1g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 1g Net Carbs
Per 2 Tablespoons: 178 Calories; 19g Fat; 1g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 1.5g Net Carbs
This comes out quite thick so could probably thin it down with a little water which would also cut the carbs a bit.

Lindas Low Carb site is AWESOME, check it out!
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/recipes.html

[matty7890]

Wow, some cool suggestions I'll be sure to try those!

The Iceland deal sounds great... maybe I'll head over next time I go shopping.

I was pretty much just looking for Atkins friendly food that I can buy readily in the UK. Just for something a bit different every now and then. I think I'll go with the homemade salad dressing just to liven things up.

Thanks Emma and thanks Discolemonade

[Elizellen]

Do you have a Lidl near you?

I get their meats - bratwurst have no fillers (unlike british bangers) so are good Atkins food!

Also their fullfat mayonnaise has half the carbs of Hellmans (only 0.9 carbs per 100 grams!!)

I have been told that Aldi have virtually the same foods too (I think they are owned by the same family.

[matty7890]

Thanks Elizellen! We have both stores so I'll be sure to check them out. Anyone know a place where I can buy Splenda and multivitamins? so far I've been on eBay for the multivitamins.

[*Emma*]

You can get splenda in any supermarket, by the normal sugar

i got my multi vits from boots but im not sure that they stock the atkins range anymore, you might hafta go for ebay or holland and barrett

[presidentholmes]

Tesco burgers!
The one in the brown box, with less than 1g carb per burger. Good value for a pack of 6 quarter pounders, I eat em all the time, very tasty.
Make some stew and add it over the top of them, or some melted cheese, bacon, etc...
Buy a roasted chicken, will do you for a while and o my! So tasty!
Buy some value stir-fry mix, cheap and very tasty and so good for you.
I love to have malt vinegar on my salad and some coleslaw or garlic mayo/dip on the side.

[presidentholmes]

Make sure you buy the tesco quarter pounders with less than 1g carb as they do some other ones that are very high inncarbs.
The ingredients should be beef only, maybe salt, NOTHING ELSE

[presidentholmes]

Yeah Eliz, Lidl are great for salamis and all those kind of European sausages, much tastier and much,. much cheaper than from other stores and a much larger range. Must go tomorrow.