Carb ladder or land mine?

[steady]

I am just a bit frustrated. It feels like the carb ladder is filled with land mines. I can't seem to climb the carb ladder because I hit too many triggers (even weird ones) or I am afraid to hit triggers because of former binge behavior. More veggies- Ok with this one. I am a veggie junkie, but that is acceptable.
Cheese- Fresh Cheeses (ricotta, cottage cheese, and even cream cheese) are triggers.
Nuts- are all triggers. Can't stop
Berries- too scared. I am a former fruit junkie...use to eat like 10 servings/ day.
Wine- I use to be a wine junkie. But I think I am ok here... I just take sips which total about one glass a week.
Legumes- Can't stick to the portions. I want more!!!
Other fruit- see berries
Starchy veggies- I failed with winter squashes. I know potatoes, corn, or peas are triggers.
Whole grains- I was a former bread/grain fiend. In my LF days, I could easily put away a loaf of whole grain bread without batting an eye.

In some ways, I am OK, even happy, with these limits (love meat and veggies)...it feels safe to eat virtually induction style. The cravings are so unbearable, but I feel avoiding these triggers might backfire in the long run.

Do you have lots of trigger? unusual ones? What is your outlook on this?

[fawn]

In some ways, I am OK, even happy, with these limits (love meat and veggies)...it feels safe to eat virtually induction style. The cravings are so unbearable, but I feel avoiding these triggers might backfire in the long run

Unless you challenge yourself to portion control it sounds to me like the above sentence is your answer.

Food period triggers me.
I had to work hard on getting a handle on my portions. This is why I lost so slowly. Looks like you have exceeded goal? Take it slow in the introduction of the foods and be vary aware of how it makes you feel. Portion the food out ahead of time. Take 1/8-1/4 cup of nuts and put the bag away before you eat the nuts.

It's about behavioral modification and only you have the power to over come this barrier.

[Sharis]

I agree. Take it slow. It sounds like you have serious challenges with food in general. Were you bulemic or did you have an ED? There are some good ED books that might be able to help you sort this out.

Either way, you will eventually need to figure out a way to make peace with food. No, you don't have to eat food that absolutely trigger you and most of us have those. (I can't eat grains. CAN NOT.) But you can get a handle on dealing with a lot of it. It just takes time. Go SLOW! Limit what you bring into the house but try expanding your food choices. For instance, is it ALL nuts? Is there a nut you aren't crazy about? If so, pick that one. Practice portion control with things you don't love necessarily. Of course, you can live on meat and veggies if that's what it comes down to. It might be a bit boring but you can certainly nourish your body with those limited choices if you have to.

[steady]

Originally Posted by Sharis

I agree. Take it slow. It sounds like you have serious challenges with food in general. Were you bulemic or did you have an ED? There are some good ED books that might be able to help you sort this out.

I know I have some disorder, although not diagnosed..eating, psychological, maybe both. Most definitely at least disordered eating.

Sharis you mention an approach I haven't taken. Trying to gain portion control on things I don't really care for. I guess I just use to avoid these foods with the logic that why would I bother eating something I don't like when I can eat something I do like. I'll give that a try it will atleast broaden my horizon. Thanks...

[Sharis]

Disordered thinking about food is something a lot of us have. Maybe not exactly the way you do but disordered thinking is not healthy whether it's fear of losing control over food so we don't eat or fearing NOT having enough food so we stuff ourselves or whatever. Making peace with food is something I think a lot of us battle with. I know I do.

One thing that seems to work for me is to allow myself my problem foods only when outside the house. I never let it into the house because I will eat it all but I let myself eat it when I'm out at a restaurant or with other people at their house or at the movies or whatever. Maybe you can try something that as you learn to make peace with some of these foods?

Just please know that I wish you all the best and hope you find something that helps you with your struggles. Food can be such a joy in life and I hope you find some way to allow food to be a joy to you instead of such a burden.

[CarolynF]

Steady: Honestly, you weigh 110 and are 5 2"? That sounds pretty good to me...You aren't bingeing and purging are you??? I suggest that you get some
professional help in case it gets worse..

[Loner]

i started to climb the ladder 3 weeks after my re-induction on 1-1-2006. veggies i did for the first several weeks. bye the 3-4 weeks i was making some awesome stirfries

(just because its all allowed does not mean you have to have it on a daily basis, it means you can have it , a taste of it, if you need it or want it.)

then i would add something else like maybe a soft cheese. blend it with something else, and always have a small protein with it.

the hardest thing i had to add was oatmeal. for some reason it set me off flying into the food cabinet. now i have it under control if i have a bit of protein and tell myself to get a grip!

i still do not eat whole grains other than the oatmeal, (with small amount of protein) i only drink if its a special occasion like a wedding or banquet or something. you will find your way..... not sure i would recommend strickly veggies and meat. you may try to lean towards lean meat, but try to add something now and then even if you are mixing it with something else...did i mention protein?

[cleochatra]

Stay at induction levels for numbers and only work in one serving of a new food three times (modified owl).

If you find you are addicted, you probably have an intolerance towards them.

[steady]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Steady: Honestly, you weigh 110 and are 5 2"? That sounds pretty good to me...You aren't bingeing and purging are you??? I suggest that you get some
professional help in case it gets worse..

The Atkin's diet is not only for weightloss. I use to had insatiable sugar cravings that would trigger binges. That is why I chose Atkin's WOL. I have made progress the sugar cravings are nearly non existent. The difficulty I am having is adding back any carb items seems to trigger a binge for more of the same type of food.

So to answer your question: Bingeing Yes, Purging NO! Thank you very much!

[steady]

Thanks Cleochatra and Loner:

I know I am trying to pace myself. That is why I am sort of stuck in induction. If I have a new food that causes a craving and I go back to induction. Aside from the nuts, I did add new foods in combo with proteins and fats, it didn't work it only made me crave a "purer" form of the new food. However, I do value your advice and appreciate it, as will other members.

I am thankful I have kicked the sugar craving with Atkins. I realize I may be having more difficulty than others with the food ladder, because when I lived a HC/LF lifestyle, every rung on that ladder was a staple food that I enjoyed very much ( I am not a picky eater!). I may addicted (intolerant) to all those foods...So I may just be better off abstaining and only having them when I am out of the house like Sharis mentioned. I have good control over foods that come into my home.

[cleochatra]

The problem with abstaining from all things is the greater liklihood of falling off the wagon. You know, I lost 115 pounds in 7 months doing only induction, but-- My Gollygracious. I can't tell you what a mistake that was. Stringency is not our friend. To a degree and to lessen the cravings, sure. But it is so important to start coping with food intolerances rather than ignore them as I did.

That said, I started by rotating foods through while on induction-levels of carbs. I measure using a digital scale. I never take more (say, macadamias) than the scale dictates. And I always eat new foods with copious amounts of fats to ensure if there are issues, they are actual intolerances and not simply blood-sugar-woobly issues.

I have learned that fear of food comes back and bites us in the patookis eventually, and that it is important to introduce a safe variety to help stick to plan for the long haul. I don't want to see anyone make the same mistakes I did.

[KrystaLyn]

I agree that it sounds like you have either portion control issues or some kind of psychological thing about food. I agree with Fawn that it IS something you can overcome. I would focus on only one food at a time for a couple of weeks. For example, yogurt. Start off with 1 TABLESPOON a day if you have to and really see how you feel with it. Have it every other day at first. Tell yourself before you eat it that that is all you are having, you know, psych yourself out about it. Then see how you actually feel...not what your mind is telling you. Is it your mind that tells you beforehand, "If I eat this, I am going to want more," or is it really your body that reacts to it? Work on that one item, that one small amount, until you feel like you have it under control. Then maybe add another T. every day, so you are eating an 1/8 of a cup, or whatever schedule and amount you feel comfortable with. Then, when you feel you have conqured that one food (or truly discovered that you can't) move onto another food. It may take you a long time to do it, but in the long run, you want to be able to eat a variety of food. THAT will keep you from binging in the long run.

[flourchild]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Steady: Honestly, you weigh 110 and are 5 2"?

If I read her right, she started at 110 but she's currently 93.

I'm a big believer in climbing the carb ladder, but that doesn't mean I can eat everything in each rung. I don't even try. When I got to starches for instance, I found I could have a small sweet potato or casserole full of Dreamfields, no problem. But a single slice of LC bread? Hunger and cravings off the chart, within minutes. Now I know to avoid or plan around some of the foods I've tried adding back. But I think it's dangerous in terms of long-term success to avoid expanding one's food horizons. That'd be like only wearing black or white because you're afraid you won't look good in any shade of pink. Heck, try on a few shades and then you'll know for sure!

[steady]

The sensible side of me knows to climb the ladder, but I think with time, lots of time, I will find foods or ways of incorporating new foods that won't set me wayward but maintain LC for a lifetime. Thanks for the advice, lessons, and support.

[fawn]

Another piece of advice for you.........make sure your veggies have fat on them. This will help with the cravings you may feel later.

[SPECK]

Originally Posted by fawn

Unless you challenge yourself;

Food period triggers me.
I had to work hard on getting a handle on my portions. This is why I lost so slowly. It's about behavioral modification and only you have the power to over come this barrier.

Thanks, I needed to hear that.