How many stick to a high Protein low carb diet? Or do you just eat what you want in smaller portions watching your calorie intake?

Also, I am having such a hard time finding an artificial sweetener I can actually enjoy. Does anyone just use the sugar and not worry about it? I don't use much, occasionally in my coffee or iced tea. I tend to stick to Water because it's easier but I do like iced tea in the summer.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I may not be the best person to give advice, since I am somewhat new to this whole "losing weight" thing myself, but I do not like the chemical sweeteners either. I do not drink alot of tea, but when I do, it is sweet, and with the real stuff mother nature gave us. I have heard many people talk about other side effects of art. sweeteners, such as memory loss. I just cannot make myself believe a chemical sweetener is better for me than a natural sweetener.

Also, as far as food goes. I am trying to make better food choices, but I am not willing to give up my favorite things. I shucked out all this money and got the band to help me lose weight, not to condemn me to dieting the rest of my life. I am trying to focus more on how much I eat rather than what I eat.

Just my 2 cents.

I just eat what I want in smaller portions. I dont count anything, calories, Protein etc, and I dont really believe a high protein, low carb diet is particularly healthy.

As far as sugar goes, I gave it up in tea and coffee when I was about 16 and it was easy. It takes 2 weeks tops, and you get used the non sugared taste.

But I woudnt hesitate to just use a bit of real sugar in moderation.

I think there's some people, particularly PCOS sufferers who seem to do loads better by really cutting out carbs. In which case its sensible to do so, but for a lot of people, it just isnt necessary and they certainly dont tell you to do it in Australia, it really is an American thing.

I use Stevia for a sweetner but I don't really need that much because I'm a Water drinker. I do have 1 cup of decaf coffee in the AM so I use 1 in that. I also buy a Protein drink (Reset) that is low carb and uses Stevia as a sweetner.

I am a low carber but from what I read from other people I don't think it's for everyone. There is no question that I feel much better and lose more weight on it. I saw a top neuroendocrinologist in Boston who says that low carb was absolutely the best diet for me. All my blood work is excellent when I stay on low carb. Some people don't find it helpful and some people do. I think you need experiment and find out what works for you.

I just eat smaller portions, but w/o counting calories. And I use a Splenda/sugar blend. Used to buy it that way but found a 5lb bag of sugar and a bag of splenda...just mix them as they go into a canister...that's what I use.

But there's nothing like Dixie Crystals (sugar) in Lemonade in the summertime! So I can see your delima.

congrats on the weightloss thus far...you're off to a great start.

If you prefer a natural sweetener, try xylitol or stevia. They are both alternatives to sugar that are natural (unlike saccharine, aspartame or sucralose aka Sweet-n-Low, Equal, and Splenda).

My dad likes Splenda best. Same with my brother/sil. Both do low-carb when they diet.

Thank you all for your input!!

Where do you buy stevia? I've never heard of it.

GraceUtah - you mix Splenda and Sugar together???

I'm trying to eat as natural as possible, so I don't add the artificial sweetners. I'm trying to like things unsweetened, but not totally there. I use the raw sugar, or agave nectar (highly recommended because has smaller effect on blood sugar) I read the book "Skinny Bitch" and one thing made a lot of sense to me was they said when you see the words "low fat" or "no fat" just think of the words "chemical st storm" And I have to agree. I don't like the idea that when I am only eat less than 1 cup each meal 3x per day it should be filled with chemicals. I'll take my .75 cup and eat the most natural whole foods I can find, even if they are more naturally fattening.

I'm trying to eat as natural as possible, so I don't add the artificial sweetners. I'm trying to like things unsweetened, but not totally there. I use the raw sugar, or agave nectar (highly recommended because has smaller effect on blood sugar) I read the book "Skinny Bitch" and one thing made a lot of sense to me was they said when you see the words "low fat" or "no fat" just think of the words "chemical st storm" And I have to agree. I don't like the idea that when I am only eat less than 1 cup each meal 3x per day it should be filled with chemicals. I'll take my .75 cup and eat the most natural whole foods I can find, even if they are more naturally fattening.

I like this way of thinking & am slowly adopting a similar philosophy. I hate the after taste of artificial sweetners & some can give me a headache. I can handle weaning towards unsweetened tea & coffee ... but every now and then I need a "fix" - and I've gone to pure honey or raw sugar.

I agree, I'm eating so little that I'm not going to subsitute chemicals for natural - regardless if more calories. I also had to convince myself that I need carbs (the good ones of course), they really aren't to be ignored - rather a more balanced meal is preferred.

For me I rather find a balance way of eating ( shop only the perimeter of the store - only going up an aisle for grains/wht Pasta ) that will sustain me long term.

DH and I try to support our local farmers often w/fresh veggies / fruits & some "game". I hit my local sushi bar & get a slab of tuna/salmon whenever I want some fish. We just bought some chicks - so we'll see if I can get some eggs from them, and well - I've yet to figure out what to do w/my cows other than give them my partial rotting fruit:smile:

I love food / wine & for me to give them up during "weighloss mode" might not bode well for me once I'm at the place I want to be - I'll just overindulge from the restriction & won't be successful maintaining.

Carol,

I've been banded since 2006, and I started putting weight back on like crazy, because I kept indulging my 50-story-high sweet tooth. I realized that if I didn't give sugar the boot, I was going to be in real trouble. I went back on a low-carb diet, I've slain the sweet-tooth, and I've never felt better. For me, low-carb is the way to go. I'm losing weight again, eating better, sleeping better, and I have more energy. Most high-carb things like rice, bread, Pasta, crackers, biscuits, popcorn, and tortillas, still give my band lots 'o' trouble. No problem with that now, since I'm a low-carb bandster.