Low carb diet on a budget?

Pennywise2012

I need to lose some weight, and I feel low carbing is the way forward. I'm also on a super tight food budget (about £10 per week).

I've found the threads on low carb, OS weight loss, and eating for £7 per week, but does anyone know of a thread that kind of combines the lot? Or is low carb and low budget just something that's never going to go together?

Me and my thighs would be eternally grateful for any help! x

Pink.

These threads may help and give you some ideas for cheaper options:

Low-carb diets support thread

Low carb diet

Low carb bargains in supermarkets ?

As low carb isn't strictly an Old Style concept, I'll move this thread over to the Health and Beauty board later where you'll find lots of threads that may help.

Pink

sonastin

To be honest, on a strict budget, I would have thought the buy-less-eat-less-weigh-less diet was the way to go. If you don't spend the money to buy surplus calories, portion control happens automatically and the weightloss usually follows.

From my experience its usually the temptation to have extras which leads people down the low fat/low carb/etc diets but the limited budget should curb that temptation.

lobbyludd

In contrast - whilst I may at the moment be very overweight - I successfully lost all of the weight (3 stones) after giving birth to my son by low carbing: there are no "extra" calories, portion control happens because all the food I ate is high quality protein/fat/veg with no filler-bulk-empty calories from cereal/bread/pasta/rice/biscuits etc (which contain nothing that isn't in the other food I was eating).

The first week I find I may eat more but after that, I no longer crave anything and my hunger is curtailed to when I actually need nutrients. I find it then very cost effective, because I can buy cheaper cuts of meat (whole birds etc) and eat all of it.

make sure you eat a large variety of fresh green leafy vegetables which are cheap and nutritious.

Each of have different challenges when it comes to weight control.

I'd argue that low carb can indeed be very "old style" it's just that it's paleolithic rather than world war II.

Byatt

lobbyludd wrote: »

In contrast - whilst I may at the moment be very overweight - I successfully lost all of the weight (3 stones) after giving birth to my son by low carbing: there are no "extra" calories, portion control happens because all the food I ate is high quality protein/fat/veg with no filler-bulk-empty calories from cereal/bread/pasta/rice/biscuits etc (which contain nothing that isn't in the other food I was eating).

The first week I find I may eat more but after that, I no longer crave anything and my hunger is curtailed to when I actually need nutrients. I find it then very cost effective, because I can buy cheaper cuts of meat (whole birds etc) and eat all of it.

make sure you eat a large variety of fresh green leafy vegetables which are cheap and nutritious.

Each of have different challenges when it comes to weight control.

I'd argue that low carb can indeed be very "old style" it's just that it's paleolithic rather than world war II.

:T Totally agree. I am currently low carbing because of health as well as weight issues. I am "addicted" to carbs, the more I eat the more I want and they don't satisfy the hunger trigger. The first week or so is always the worst, but I now find I am eating more healthily but also I don't feel hungry all the time, as the fat/proteins fill me. No more grazing.

I use eggs a lot, chicken, and lots of veg and salads. I buy from the market mostly as veg is cheaper. It works out cheaper anyway as I'm not buying carp like biscuits and cakes.

Cauliflower is a versatile veg and can be eaten/cooked all sorts of ways. I buy in season veg too.

I am slowly losing weight, but want to change my way of eating too, and try not to think of it as a diet.

Sambucus_Nigra

We're veggie and have been low carbing [in the main] for about 6 months.

We're not religious about it and to be honest; I've just stopped doing anything other that making sure the carbs are 'low' and enjoying whatever is on my plate.

If I eat half now of what I used to eat, I feel full. And cheese at 10am can keep me going til teatime. It's brought my appetite right down and hence, the volume of food bought down significantly.

Our main spends are on Quorn products and other veggie protein.

Byatt

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

We're veggie and have been low carbing [in the main] for about 6 months.

We're not religious about it and to be honest; I've just stopped doing anything other that making sure the carbs are 'low' and enjoying whatever is on my plate.

If I eat half now of what I used to eat, I feel full. And cheese at 10am can keep me going til teatime. It's brought my appetite right down and hence, the volume of food bought down significantly.

Our main spends are on Quorn products and other veggie protein.

I agree with all of your post but isn't it amazing how the highlighted part, works! I don't measure religiously either, mainly avoiding the obvious ones, but I'm finding I just don't want carbs in the same way I did when I was eating them all the time. I love feeling full, I used to think something was "broken" in me because I never got that with carbs such as bread, pasta etc all foods I loved.

Jei70

Some more examples of low carb on a budget include tinned fish (sardines, tuna, mackerel - in oil or spring water), smoked salmon offcuts (they are usually very cheap, and ideal for mixing with loads of salad veg) and own brand soft cheese (for thickening soups, stews and sauces).

Sambucus_Nigra

Byatt wrote: »

I agree with all of your post but isn't it amazing how the highlighted part, works! I don't measure religiously either, mainly avoiding the obvious ones, but I'm finding I just don't want carbs in the same way I did when I was eating them all the time.

Totally!

I've had people comment 'why aren't you eating' at lunchtimes recently - and it's really because I just don't get hungry much. If i do - a few lumps of cheese and a glass of water and 4 hours later i'm only just getting peckish.

Fire_Fox

The problem is protein tends to be the most expensive part of a wholefood diet, You could try to focus on canned oily fish like pilchards and pink salmon, the cheaper and higher protein cheeses plus nuts/ seeds - much meat, fish and dairy are quite pricey. Do be sure to replace the nutrients you will be losing out on if you cut out wholegrains and pulses - primarily minerals, again nuts and seeds are a good source but you will have to eat a fairly large amount and many are expensive.

Have you considered reduced carb/ low glycaemic index (carbs that have a very gentle effect on your blood sugar)? Many beans, lentils and pot barley are really low GI and good sources of fibre and minerals. They all supply a modest amount of protein, making a 'complete' protein (all the amino acids humans need) when eaten with nuts or seeds.

Eliza_2

I'd love to do the same, but so many frugal meals depend on pasta or similar type of cheaper food. I don't know how you could replace a cheap and filling meal on a cold day, like a bowl of pasta topped with h-m tomato sauce (half tin of toms, half onion, sprinkle herbs) with something low carb.

Cutting down on protein is a cheaper - and maybe healthier? - way to go, Aldi carrots etc - big bag for 39p this week, fill the freezer. But for me, low carbing does work but virtually impossible on a very tight budget. I'd find it really hard to justify eating a piece of cheese as a snack when I know the same amount would be a good part of a meal.

It's all very complicated - portion size is probably the only sensible way in the end, as has been said. I'm basically just far too greedy!