Eliminating Breads, Pasta and Sugars from your diet.

2.7k rep

MemberFloyds Knobs, IN

I need some help with my diet. I weigh over 400lbs. I exercise 3 days a week and I'm working with a trainer whenever I can afford it, (so far 3 times this month). I log every bite I eat and my calories stay between 1700 and 2000 per day I am not losing any weight, in fact, I have gained 5 lbs this month.

Also, I am an ovo-lacto vegetarian. I talked to my doctor about it a couple of days ago. She said I was gonna have to cut way back on the carbs. Honestly, this is the only thing I think I have never done.

I have decided to eliminate breads, pasta and sugar. Does anyone on here follow a diet such as this? Do you see any problems with this or do you have any suggestions? Should I also eliminate rice? I see forums where people talk about adding an occasional yam. What is the benefit of this?

I just joined AF November 1.
I will probably only be able to work with a trainer once a month from this point on.

I would really appreciate any advise.

49k rep

MemberSmyrna, TN

It is very difficult to "eliminate" breads, pastas and sugars from one's diet.

I would strongly recommend swapping instead of eliminating. Eliminating leads to feeling deprived which can lead to binging. Swap whole grain foods for "white" foods, and limit your added sugars. Adding things like quinoa, brown rice, and sweet potatoes offers variety and keeps your meals interesting.

Track your food, log your expenditures of energy, swap for healthier choices, work with your trainer.

I wish you luck, Godspeed and success. But limiting carbs is one thing, eliminating carbs is extremely difficult and can really make one grumpy, as carbs are your brain's preferred food!

27k rep

AlumniBettendorf, IA

You could cut back on carbs but I think it is still important to have some healthy carbs. Try to cosume healthy carbs like whole grain pastas, bread, and brown rice. As far as sugars, try to stick with natural sugars like fruit.

287 rep

You have the right idea but you cant eliminate carbs completely out of you diet. What you need to do is switch your simple carbs(flour based products, high starch foods, and simple sugars) to complex carbs(grains and oats, high fiber veggies) and try to drop your carb intake to 100 grams a day. Carbs are you bodies primary source of energy eliminating them completely will put your body into shock. Simple carbs are the fast acting carbs that will give you a quick energy spike but wont last long. Complex carbs are a slow digesting carb that will release in your body overtime causing sustained energy and feeling full longer. Remember to eat in moderation, try not to focus on 3 big meals a day, rather 6 small healthy meals every 2-3 hours throughout the day. Take the time to do your own research before you start eliminating anything out of your diet; you can really go downhill fast if you dont know what your doing. Educating yourself is the best advice anyone can give, all the info is online you just need to look

2.7k rep

MemberFloyds Knobs, IN

Thanks so much everyone. I may have not been clear, I have no intention of eliminating carbs completely. I just want to cut back significantly. I appreciate all the information. I didn't know what my total carb goal for the day should be. I appreciate the info of 100 grams a day. I can easily do that. The infor on the internet is so confusing. There are so many different opinions going to both extremes. Thanks again for the information.

488 rep

AlumniLockport, NY

I am also an ovo-lacto vegetarian and I've discovered so many different foods you can eat and still get all your nutrition. As far as carbs are concerned, all the advice above is great, sticking with whole grains. You might want to try a gluten free diet. Many people don't even realize they have a gluten intolerance and that could add to the slow weight loss.

257 rep

MemberLincoln, NE

Have you had your thyroid checked lately? Thyroid isn't something that is normally part of the blood work that your doctor does so I'd ask him/her if it's been checked. I have a friend who was having all kinds of problems losing weight despite minding his diet and getting exercise. They finally tested him for this and found that he had a problem and since he been getting treated he's lost a lot of weight.

I hate him.

277 rep

MemberMichigan City, IN

Good luck at losing the weight that you want to loose. I tried before to eliminate carbs from out of my diet, and when I did I got the worst headache ever. I didnt drop any weight, but my God it was terrible. The headache lasted nearly 4 days. There are low carb breads that you can eat, and alot of other low carb foods that are out there. What I have started doing is "eating clean" and healthy foods. Try looking at Tosca Reno books she has alot of useful info in there. Do your best to get away from foods that are processed. Plus you will stay fuller longer. Give it a try in addition to all the other advice you have received. Dont worry about not being able to pay for a personal trainer more than 1 day a month right now. Just do everything that he/she tells you to do, and do it until you can afford another session the following month. At least after 30 days they can see how much improvement you have made. Good Luck.

2.7k rep

MemberFloyds Knobs, IN

Thank you!
I have cut back on the carbs, but I have not eliminated them completely. I have taken the advise of trying to stay at 100 carbs a day. I am also eating whole foods. I have lost 5.6 lbs in 5 days. This makes me happy. It has been a while since I could say that I'm LOST weight instead of gained weight. I really appreciate the support I continue to get on this forum. Stay tuned!

1.3k rep

O₂i | OwnerSuffolk, VA

Great Job, Rhea!

It is great hearing that you have made progress towards your goal.

As a personal trainer you would think that I have all the answers for you, but unfortunately it is not that easy as everyone is different.

My recommendation:

1. Continue using your trainer to master your cardio/strength training routine.

2. Consult with a Registered Dietician about your food choices.

A registered dietician can give you a view that nobody else can. Our molecular make-up is confusing, but they have the tools to help you understand your internal body.

Sometimes a deficit or a surplus in a nutrient can be the difference between success or failure.

Go to www.eatright.org to find a dietician near you!

2.7k rep

MemberFloyds Knobs, IN

Thank you Scott! I will look into your suggestions. I'm not sure where to find a registered dietician but I will see if my doctor has any suggestions.

2.1k rep

I have completely cut bread, pasta and rice from my meal. I am following The Primal Blueprint. I wish it was a diet option here to track. You will feel So much better and less bloated eliminating the starches in our life. just do not buy them and bring them home.

2.7k rep

MemberFloyds Knobs, IN

I have not heard of the Primal Blueprint, but I will look into it. I have lost 12 lbs this weeks. I have worked out 4 days and cut my carbs back to around 100 a day and increaseed my protein to about 115 per day. I really needed this big loss this week to help me emotionally.

27 rep

MemberLouisville, KY

rhea, mind set is half of the battle, great job.... this might help... http://www.myhealingkitchen.com
I got it from The 30-day diabetes cure by dr.stefan ripich,nd,cnp and jim healthy..
I lost 55# in 6 months... the book retrains you how to eat...It will help you if your diabetic or not.

2.1k rep

Keep up the good work Rhea! I have found if I have a protein shake or bacon and eggs in my case in the first 30 min of rising it has made a HUGE difference. I just am not hungry. The Primal Blueprint is controversial but it is basically going back to eating like we did original. meat, veggies, fruit and nuts. Just cutting out the processed foods and mainly sugars. I have lost 30 and can eat all the time if I want as long as it is natural foods. You'll find that you just aren't that hungry when filling up on protein. We do pretty much the 80/20 principal. if we eat right 80% of the time you don't sweat it OR feel deprived when there is something you really want to eat.

2.1k rep

Originally, Gotta love the dumb auto correct. Sorry