What low carb product can you not do without?

[4myself4mykids]

OK, I'm ordering a few things from Netrition and was curious as to what others use that helps them stay on plan. It's not easy to find things around here (example: I had to go to 4 groceries to find alfalfa sprouts!) So I was wondering what shelf stable foods (i.e. condiments, baking stuff) do you all like to use and why! About the only special thing other than meat/veggies I've ever purchased for this WOE is flax meal....

Also, have never used a protein powder-do you use it much and for what???
Thanks for any suggestions!

[dewdropinn]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

I usually stay away from low carb products for purchase, but I do love the heinze one carb ketchup. Just make sure to only use 1 tbs, as it's 1 carb per Tbs.

[*Emma*]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

I dont use low carb products either, sorry!

In my opinion its those products that cause problems.

[Bettestress]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

Definitely the ketchup!

[Mirya]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

I won't use low carb products because they typically have ingredients not allowed in our plan. Also they usually have something hidden somewhere in them. Also unless its an absolute EMERGENCY I won't even consider an Atkins bar or shake.

With that said my favorite 2 low carb treats are:

1/2 square of unsweetened chocolate with a packet of splenda & melted. 2 net carbs

Mock cheese danish.:
2-3 eggs (i prefer 3 cause it makes me feel sated)
3oz creme cheese
1 packet of splenda
Soften creme cheese in microwave
mix splenda and eggs in and put in microwave for 1-2 minutes (until done but not over done)

I prefer the mock cheese danish.

I know this one will sound odd but I absolutely freaking love it.
1TBLSP Ground Flaxseed
1TBLSP Heavy Creme
water to your liking to dilute creme.
1 packet splenda

Heat in microwave for 1min. mmmm like creme of wheat

[kate58]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

I don't eat any specifically low carb products either, unless you count things available anywhere that happen to be low carb, like full-fat mayonaise. Which is my "could not do without".

[sadie147]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

Low carb ketchup as well.

that's pretty much it.

i've bought other things in the past like carbquick etc (note you have to be on the grains rung to use it), but have never purchased again, there are other whole foods like almond flour, flax meal etc i find i prefer baking with.

i do keep s/f syrups in teh house, similar to davincis but i could easily live without them...i rarely use them at all.

[4myself4mykids]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

Thanks for your replies! I didn't actually mean convenience low carb products per say, what I guess I was wanting to know was different cooking supplies-thickeners/breading, oils, protein powders, syrups, sauces that I remembered hearing about when I was living this WOL before-Things that help you prepare your food or make your recipes special or help you with a legal treat so I don't go off the deep end!

One Carb Ketchup was on my list and I was trying to decide what kind of "breading"/thickener to use...I ended up getting an immersion blender and think I will try to use that to make veggies as thickener for my "gravies"/sauces and will just continue using parmesan for anything I want "crusty".

Mirya-I love the flax cream of wheat too!

In the meantime, I'm still waiting on my darn book (my old DANDR disappeared-cant remember if I loaned it out or if its in a moving box yet unpacked!) to come in the mail, it was supposed to be here by Friday and still isn't!

[kate58]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

Here is what I use for these things.

thickeners: mostly veg purees, of which cauliflower seems to me to work best. I make loads and freeze in bags. Occasionally Xanthan gum, which is available in most health food stores since coeliacs use it a fair bit. It's good for gravy and is quick.

breading: parmesan or a mix of half and half almond flour and unsweetened dessicated coconut - which is fab with chicken expecially and gets really nice and crisp. Nuts rung obviously!

oils: Olive, walnut, sesame, truffle - all available in regular stores

protein powders: Never used them, don't really know what they are for!

syrups: don't use them - though I would like if Da Vinci syrups were available here. Partly for me, but also cause they would be better for kids than the other sugary gloop.

sauces: homemade

Favorite legal treats: Occasionally some whipped cream or mascarpone cheese with sf cocoa powder. Now that I am on the berry rung, my absolute fav is mixed berries, or just raspberries, with vanilla cream. I used to add a little splenda to the cream, but don't bother any more as I now find it sweet enough without. VERY occasionally, Linda's Three Minute chocolate cake with a mascaprone and cocoa filling - but strictly only if there are enough people around to share it - there needs to be only one small portion available for me, otherwise I KNOW I'd scoff the lot!!

[julirama723]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

My LC "staples" for the kitchen include:

*almonds (I'm too cheap to buy almond flour, but I will grind whole almonds into almond meal to use in baking or for a crust/topping/breading)
*protein powder (I've used this mainly for baking when I've had to make LC stuff for holidays. I also used to put a scoop into my steel cut oats/pecans for some balance--I never make actual shakes out of them--for that I use silken tofu!)
*Olive oil
*BUTTER (I would eat butter on everything if I could)
*heavy cream (I add a bit to eggs, add it to oatmeal, add it to sauces/broth, whip it with cocoa, make alfredo sauce, etc.)
*xanthan gum (I use this on the rare occasion I make gravy, when I make jelled berries, when I make sauces)
*stevia (I use this almost exclusively and try to avoid splenda at all costs)

[4myself4mykids]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

Thank you! That's the info I was looking for....It takes me forever reading labels at the store on the things I do use, and half the time end up still not buying anything....I can't find a chicken broth or bouillon that doesn't have some type of sugar/dextrose/etc. in it....so I guess I will have to make my own and freeze some to keep on hand. Waiting on my immersion blender to arrive tomorrow, so I can make the "cream of anything soup"!

LOL, I ate my steak tonight with a little ranch on the side since I usually like worchestershire on it and all of the different steak sauces had dextrose or cane sugar in them. I did however find a nice bottle of steak seasoning spices with nothing in them that was very good!

Thanks for all the help!

[Hopeful1]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

I know this one will sound odd but I absolutely freaking love it.
1TBLSP Ground Flaxseed
1TBLSP Heavy Creme
water to your liking to dilute creme.
1 packet splenda

Heat in microwave for 1min. mmmm like creme of wheat

doesnt sound too odd at all I actually was wondering the other day how well flax would do for a hot cereal because I have the Bob's brand (I think thats it) and it doesn't have a strong taste like some of them do. So I will definitely be doing this tomorrow AM! I bought some cream today. YUM! thanks.

[Kansas Deb]

Re: What low carb product can you not do without?

I use the protein powder in the flax meal muffin half protein powder and half flax meal. I think it gives it a lighter texture. Protein powder is either 1 carb per 30 grams and I use 15 grams.

Xanthan gum for thickening sauces. I use a little when I make cheese sauce. It just gives a little extra body. It has a kind of slick texture.

Coconut Oil, I use in making the flax micorwave muffin instead of butter. Sometimes I will make pancakes out of the muffin batter. Terrific! Costs a little bit less than butter.

DaVinci and Torani SF syrups. Very sparingly.

Splenda and Brown Sugar Twin.