Hi there,

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any good resources online or books to help with this. Especially looking for a free website that is good at showing true carb counts (like net carbs), I'm using myfitnesspal currently and it's ok for a starter. I want to know more food choices I can make to maintain a 40 carb/ 1200-1500 cal a day diet. I'd appreciate it. I hope someone has time to post an answer by tomorrow evening before I get groceries. Thank you all so much in advance and have a great weekend!

Calculating net carbs is easy - subtract your dietary Fiber from the carb count.

Please keep in mind that everything I'm telling you is based on either Atkins or The 17 Day Diet, so I'm not entirely sure of calories.

Salads are fantastic, but watch the cal contents of your toppings, especially with dressings.

eggs are wonderful - remember the white is Protein and the yolk is fat, so if you scramble eggs, keep one yolk in, one yolk out.

Turkey and chicken sausages are great.

Mashed cauliflower is a great sub for mashed 'taters. I cook mine until tender then mash in some low fat sour cream and low fat cream cheese - delish!

I enjoy Atkin's shakes - 15 grams of protein and 1-2 net carbs. My husband likes the Atkins bars, I don't.

I got Isopure Low Carb Dutch chocolate - mix w/water and it's 50g protein and I believe 1 carb. It's not great, it's not something I get excited about, but it's palatable and you can't beat 50g of protein. If you get one of those blender bottles (WHICH ARE MAGICAL), you can blend it up super easy. MAGIC, I TELL YOU.

One of my favorite low-carb meals is taco salad! Make it with ground turkey or ground chicken, salsa, lettuce, low fat sour cream and low fat cheese! Yummy!

Honestly, though? Eggs are your friend. Good luck!

I use a software program called "Diet Power" it's not free though. $27.95 Free 15-day trial. It lists all nutrients including the different carbs (dietary fiber & sugar) I love it...it keeps track of everything...huge food/calorie database. Hope this helps.

Calculating net carbs is easy - subtract your dietary fiber from the carb count.

Please keep in mind that everything I'm telling you is based on either Atkins or The 17 Day Diet, so I'm not entirely sure of calories.

Salads are fantastic, but watch the cal contents of your toppings, especially with dressings.

eggs are wonderful - remember the white is Protein and the yolk is fat, so if you scramble eggs, keep one yolk in, one yolk out.

Turkey and chicken sausages are great.

Mashed cauliflower is a great sub for mashed 'taters. I cook mine until tender then mash in some low fat sour cream and low fat cream cheese - delish!

I enjoy Atkin's shakes - 15 grams of protein and 1-2 net carbs. My husband likes the Atkins bars, I don't.

I got Isopure Low Carb Dutch chocolate - mix w/water and it's 50g protein and I believe 1 carb. It's not great, it's not something I get excited about, but it's palatable and you can't beat 50g of protein. If you get one of those blender bottles (WHICH ARE MAGICAL), you can blend it up super easy. MAGIC, I TELL YOU.

One of my favorite low-carb meals is taco salad! Make it with ground turkey or ground chicken, salsa, lettuce, low fat sour cream and low fat cheese! Yummy!

Honestly, though? Eggs are your friend. Good luck!