Any advice on how to curb carb consumption?

[flamingdem]

I'm addicted to the local bakery 7 grain and wheat bread and can't seem to manage portion control. If I cut out bread (or pasta or cereal that I like less) my energy seems to go down and I have cravings. I'd like to lose weight but can't seem to cut the carbs.

[littlemissmartypants]

1. Try

cinnamon.

[flamingdem]

2. Sprinkles or massive quantities?

[littlemissmartypants]

3. massive quantities

would make you sick...

[Warpy]

4. Listen to your body

It seems to me that the 7 grain bread is doing you more good than harm. It's complex carbs and probably higher in protein than white bread.

However, what you might do is start every meal with protein. Once you've dispensed with protein and veggies, eat your carbs. Chances are the protein will have you feeling full enough that you cut down on your own without feeling deprived.

No carb diets are like any deficiency diet, doomed to fail when people start to Jones for foods they miss and then go on massive binges. Eating moderate amounts of a wide variety of food--including carbs--is the best way to get and remain healthy.

[flamingdem]

7. I can try that, it just takes some control to be orderly

and not chaw down on the bread first. I am truly scared of no carb diets, for the binge that happens later and because it might be another system stress, and mess with hormones and metabolism. Some people are carb haters and can go on those diets. I'm guessing it drains B vitamins for one.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. How my wife and I managed this....

1. you can't eat what's not in the house, so don't buy it. sugar/carbs, esp candy, bread, etc - seem to just create the desire for more.

2. Fruit! Once we added morning and afternoon fruit breaks (grapes, apples, melon, berries, pineapple), it satisfied and also fills us up.

Doing these two things, I lost 60 pounds and have maintained it....we eat plenty, but it is mostly grains, veggies, fruit, and any carbs are with a good ratio of fiber to carbs (glycemic index) - a few Trader joe cereals and our own home made granola fit the bill.

good luck - it isn't easy!

[flamingdem]

8. I wish I could buy a quarter loaf of fresh bread

Other than that I need to try the fruit idea. It looks like losing weight will be a bit of an investment. Things like organic fruits are pricey now but that would probably help. Also, the home made granola could be filling but not that attractive in massive quantity if it's not sweet. Congrats on the 60 pound loss!!

[NRaleighLiberal]

10. good luck and ask anything!

The first slug of weight loss was via the Weight Watcher program. It was very effective. Doing it with my wife added support and we both benefited from it. The fruit thing was a saving grace. I also added more activity - got moving - and that helped as well. We also tried out going vegan for a month (Engine 2 diet through Whole Foods - it was free). It all contributed. I think that two years after all that started the major things are....not buying that which we know we can't control easily, no soft drinks at all - water, water, water, water at meals...cutting down on alcohol, and on portions in general. And I keep a food diary - just on my Google calendar - I am totally honest with myself and write down everything I eat each day, and have been for two years. I convert the food consumed to WW points (makes it easy) - each point is about 50 calories. So, I am 57, 6 feet and 196 lbs - try to keep it at 2000 calories or less per day.

As a lifetime food addict and stress eater, and junk food, salty and sweet snack eater, this is a major change for me. I like myself much better, feel much better....and it is still a struggle.

[elfin]

6. Try eating the protein and drinking water BEFORE the carb

That might help you feel full enough to reduce the portion. It is tough.

Did Atkins some years ago, now need to do again. The first few days are HARD, but the cravings do subside, if you don't go to a restaurant with those yummy rolls.

Also, celery for crunch - stuffed with peanut butter and drink WATER.

[flamingdem]

9. I've never done that but will try it out

Am considering buying nut butters since now that you mention it the fats are so filling - of course they can lead to weight gain too!

[Roselma]

11. Have a tablespoon of peanut butter

It is very satisfying and will curb the craving for more than a few hours. If you were trying the Atkins diet, you'd give yourself all sorts of high-fat treats like meat, bacon, eggs, cream. In a day or two, you'd break the craving altogether. Simple trick. Never keep that bread in your house. If you simply must have bread, then make it as inconvenient as possible. On Atkins, you almost get light-headed, but it doesn't take long to see real results.

[flamingdem]

14. People say it works but what

bothers me is that it's extreme. I'd rather do a modified version that allows for carbs or a way to taper.

The trick might be to use the principle of high fat to control carb cravings but go into it gradually. I'm
buying peanut butter tomorrow to see if that does the trick!

[womanofthehills]

12. Freeze your bread

And each day take out that day's portion. If it's frozen it's less available. Eating carbs make you crave more carbs. I've cut out cereal , bread and pasta. I'm juicing lots of organic vegetable and fruits and I definitely have more energy now.

[flamingdem]

13. Good tip about freezing

Just have to see if I have the discipline to freeze it instead of enjoy it fresh. Juicing sounds very healthy and easy on the digestive system.

[safeinOhio]

15. For a snack, I'll eat a

a low carb tortilla with a smear of peanut butter and a few walnuts wrapped up.

[enough]

16. It's hard to believe unless you've experienced it, but

the carb cravings do go away after not very long. Same thing with sugar. The cravings fade out. You have to be willing to live with the cravings for a few days, but knowing that they WILL go away.

The only problem is the cravings come back if you start eating the stuff again.

A lot of good tips in this thread. For me the most important is NOT HAVING THE THING YOU CRAVE IN THE HOUSE.

Also, plan ahead. Figure out in advance what you are going to eat for snacks and meals. Don't wait until you're hungry and start grabbing for food. Have the nutritious snack available where you can get at it immediately, with no complicated fixing. I like plain yogurt for this. Extremely boring, but by the time you've had a couple of spoonfuls, the urge to have something "exciting" goes away.

Good luck!

[Marr]

17. Drink more water. People often get the cravings for crunchies when they're dehydrated, not hungry.

If that doesn't do the trick, you might try replacing some of the bread with fruits. They've got plenty of complex carbs that might just fill the void.

[ErikJ]

18. Swear off all wheat products.

Especially breads, cookies and crackers. I did this 10 years ago and had withdrawal trouble at first but now have no problemo. It is largely empty calories. I would rather substitute the calories with nuts, olive oil and other nutrition packed foods than waste it on bread which they are finding is bad for your health.