Need some help, please!

[Allison'sMom]

Hey everyone! I have been MIA for a while, well, basically since I hit my goal weight. Since then, I have been eating pretty much whatever I want! I have gotten to a point of eating WAY too much of "whatever I want"! This has gone on for about 2 months or so. The scale has finally gone over my high weight range (I weighted in at 165.8 on Saturday morning). I KNOW this is not healthy for me, even if the scale always said 160.0!

So, as of today, I am going with 2 weeks of eating 20-30g of carbs/day and LOTS of water!

I would love to get some suggestions on higher carb foods (like side dishes) that are HEALTHY for me! Please keep in mind that I am NOT a cook! I like quick and easy when it comes to food! Also, please remember that my DH is doing Low-Carb (is starting induction again today), but needs to eat VLC in order to lose weight.

Thanks so much for any advice you can give me so I can maintain HEALTHY weight loss!

[Big_Al]

First of all welcome back!!

Trust me I know how easy it is to get a few extra pounds and then feel the panic of Oh No!! Still working off Christmas here but I learned some important lessons so perhaps it will work out.

To answer your question, I always love avocados as a side dish. They are always in season and can be eaten right out of the skin or made into guacamole (or you can buy premade quac if you are careful).

I've also fallen in love with the Parmesan cheese chips (Kitchen Table Bakers Garlic Parmesan Crisps) ... Netrition probably has similar). These with some cream cheese dip are a great snack / side dish.

And I am on a spinach salad with hot balsamic dressing and bacon kick. mmmmm bacon

[Salamander]

I'm confused. Your plan is to eat 30g carbs per day, but you want ideas for higher carb side dishes? Or do you mean substitutes for them?

[Allison'sMom]

So sorry for the confusion! I am intending to do 20-30g carbs for the next 2 weeks, then I will be increasing carbs again. I'm just trying to plan for after those 2 weeks!

[Primada]

Once you are back at goal and ready to go to maintenance carbs you might add in green beans, sliced tomatoes, almonds, a small piece of 70% dark chocolate, even a glass of pinot noir. Those are the perks that make LC sustainable.

[girondet]

I like sweet potatoes, baked, mashed, or fried like French fries. I eat about 1/3 cup at a time. Also, nut butter on apple, and I make chocolate bark with coconut oil. 1/4 c fruit at a time. I switch it all around, along with muffins and pancakes made from nut flours, still stay within 60g carbs per day. I too like a glass of wine, usually red, a couple times a week.....so true.....these perks make this woe very livable.....

If you or your dh have trouble limiting portions on any of the above foods, that may not work for you....if you're limited to meat, fish, eggs and veggies and high fat dairy...you can still do a lot with that...think different combinations and remember the word sauté....lol....

I go thru periods where I want very easy and quick prep, but still good. It can be done!

[shipshemom]

I have been on maintenance plan for a few months now, but I find that I still need to keep my carbs down to 30g or so/day or I gain weight. I know the books say to only do induction for 2 wks., but I couldn't lose weight when I increased my carbs. It was easier to just cut them all out altogether. I also continue to weigh myself every morning which motivates me to keep eating on plan. That way overindulging shows up right away. Eliminating Bread, potatoes, sugar, pasta & processed foods is what helped me reach my goal, so I know I still can't eat them if I want to keep it off.

[peanutte]

I love avocados too, Al. And brussels sprouts, carrots, and seasonal fruit in the summer.

Since then, I have been eating pretty much whatever I want! I have gotten to a point of eating WAY too much of "whatever I want"! This has gone on for about 2 months or so.

Michelle, it sounds like what you're wanting to work on is reining in your permissive eating habits, as much as getting a handle on the carbs themselves. Maybe once you get your weight back to your goal range, you can have your higher-rung foods just once or twice a week?

I know that I can't eat much differently in maintenance than I did during weight loss. If I do allow extra carbs, or higher-rung foods, I have to limit both the amount and the frequency.

Good luck as you try to wrestle this back under control. Keep working on it. And congratulations on your weight loss!