Sounding like a Broken Record...

[starblazon]

I know that some people may think that it's easy to start the 14 day induction but I think the hard part is knowing exactly what you eat especially when you don't really have the materials to cook it with so you have to buy things from accessible places. (I live on-campus). I have been attempting to do the 14 day induction and i end up messing up somehow on the 3rd day or so because I didn't realize a certain ingredient or so that is in the food that I'm eating. >.> I think caesar dressing has sugar in it? I asked the waiter but he said it didn't have sugar...and then i munched on a crouton and after that i was sad so I didn't eat much of the salad that I bought >.>. Any tips on what I can do to prevent myself from making these mistakes again? Does anyone have certain rules that may be catchy so that they will stick to my brain? O.x

[abstractillusions]

Re: Sounding like a Broken Record...

It sounds like what you need to do is have a list of do not bring mes. For example, most salads in a restuarant have croutons or sometimes carrott slicings. Start making yourself a list of what to tell them not to put in your salad. ALWAYS ALWAYS get dressing on the side, most dressings in restaurants have sugar in them. Most sauces in restaurants have flour and sugar in them. So what do you do you ask?

1) learn not to be afraid to be VERY specific when you are ordering. You are the customer.
2) If you have to to make sure they realize how serious you are, sometimes i will tell them i am illergic to something or a diabetic. Some people may not think this is right, but sometimes people don't take you seriously when you say do not give me or bring me such and such in my food.
3) When in doubt don't eat it.
4) Be prepared which means bring your list of acceptable foods, make a list of what to NOT have brought to you or used in your food. A list of questions to ask with you. Keep these with you.
5) Start staking out which restuarants are easy to work with, which ones give you a variety, which ones allow the flexibility you need in creating your meal with them,
6) if you have a fridge and a microwave, always cut your meal in half everything and bring some home to have the next day. Most restuarnts serve oversized portions anyway. That way you have a meal you know is good waiting that you just have to throw in the mircrowave or use your own dressing on. The easiest way to do this is ask for a to go box as soon as your meal comes and split it before you even take a bite.

7) Last resort order plain chicken or hamburger sans bun and a large salad.

Keep asking for help here, it will take you a bit to learn how to do this ordering out all the time, just to give you some motivation, my boss lost 50 lbs doing atkins and he eats out ALL meals at least 25 days a month because he travels so much. Take it one meal at a time.

Chin up!!

[Desertthorn]

Re: Sounding like a Broken Record...

Its tough to eat out. Everyone who knows me on this board knows about the time I went to IHOP and ate an Omelet only to come back on this board and find out that they make their omelets with PANCAKE batter. Knowing that, you have to be soooo careful and ask tons of questions or just go for something that doesn't have gravy or breading or anything white.
Taco salad in one of those taco bowls are good, just don't eat the bowl and tell them No beans.
Chef salad with blue or ranch dressing is generally okay

[ValidRouge]

Re: Sounding like a Broken Record...

What's your cafeteria like? I work at a residential university campus and there are PLENTY of low carb options in our cafeteria for breakfast lunch and dinner. You may have to put it all together...and they may not call it "low carb" but it can be done.

[starblazon]

Re: Sounding like a Broken Record...

I biked to the nearby University Village and ordered a Caesar salad at a restaurant...because the one on campus had basically the same thing but I had to substitute the sauce for cream cheese. I believe cream cheese is all right, and I can deal with it so I suppose i could just buy a lot of salad and cream cheese whenever I'm able to go to the market? And also, that hamburger without the bread sounds good with the salad...*droolz*

Thank you all for your support, it helped a lot!

[dreamof145]

Re: Sounding like a Broken Record...

Do you have a list of the induction foods? I worry that you are becoming frustrated over the foods. Instead of thinking of this as a diet, think of it as a lifestyle change. Becoming comfortable with what you can eat and not feeling deprived over what you shouldn't eat is 1/2 the battle. I never say I can't eat this or that. I tell myself that I choose not to eat certain foods because I am changing my habits and becoming healthier.

Here is a free wallet sized list of the induction foods that you can carry with you. http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...let+sized+list

As you can see, there are so many foods to choose from. Find the foods that you like and ask how they are prepared when you go out to eat. Ask if you can have them specially prepared if they have sugars or other non-acceptable ingredients in them. I've never had a problem with this as most places I've eaten want to please the customer to keep them coming back.

I use lettuce leaves as my bread substitute. I wrap my sandwich meats, cheeses or hamburger patty inside lettuce. I also have made my sandwiches inside out. Meaning I don't use bread, but use the slice of meat as the bread and put the other stuff (cheese, mayo, onion) inside the two slices of meat.

I agree, changing old habits is always difficult at first. But, once you get used to it, it becomes easier and feels comfortable. Don't stress - be happy that their are so many foods that you can eat on this WOE that are healthy and delicious.

[abstractillusions]

Re: Sounding like a Broken Record...

Star, you can also use Mayo like in a hamburger salad (if you like mayo on your hamburgers) i sometimes mix mayo and some brown mustard together (count the carbs) throw a salad together and then add the hamburger mix hit all up with the mayo and brown mustard mix. In otherwords anything you like as a sandwich you can make into a salad and use the acceptable low carb condiments as the dressing. Just make sure you leave out stuff not on the list for induction.

Hang in there, its all about figuring this all out. Until you get more familiar and comfortable, maybe stick basics. Once you get past induction, you will start climbing the ladder and your choices will expand.

[starblazon]

Re: Sounding like a Broken Record...

Thanx again! Yeah, using mayo and mustard seems to be a good idea And the link will help a lot! Thanks you all

[julirama723]

Re: Sounding like a Broken Record...

The dining commons don't have to be as frightening as you think! Make friends with the salad bar--salad veggies are great, but stay away from croutons, seeds, nuts, sugary dressings, etc. on induction. Lots of salad bars have hard-boiled eggs--these are great! Awesome for any meal of the day. Eat them with salt, with mayo, mash them up with salad veggies, etc. Like dream said, carry the list with you and memorize it. Does your cafeteria have a deli hour, or lunch meats? Eat the meat, cheese, mayo, wrap it in lettuce, and bam! Also, check if they have steamed veggies at dinner, and any time of roasted/boiled/baked meat. Nothing breaded, nothing that could be considered "fast food."

Also, just because something comes on your plate doesn't mean you have to eat it. Send it back or pick it off! Sometimes I'm nervous about being a "bad" customer, but then I realize that my body is more important than making a waitress happy.

[soappedaler]

Re: Sounding like a Broken Record...

At restrarunts I order olive oil and vinegar for dressing, if they only have balsamic vinegar I ask for lemon wedges. Tell them to leave the croutons off that your allergic to wheat.

[abstractillusions]

Re: Sounding like a Broken Record...

Also, check with your cafeteria or talk to your nutritionist/center there (they probably have one or someone who deals with the menus) and ask them if they can have more of basic foods i.e. grilled chicken with no marinate etc or ask them if they can cater to a specific menu (diabetic maybe) for you. I am not sure how much you are trying to lose but your dr or health center may be able to back you on this. It would be easier too if there were a group of you. Put out fliers or such or start an atkins support group (weightloss) on campus. That way if many of you ask for something the cafeteria will probably be more abt to offer what you need.

But i think your first step is to talk to see what your options at the cafeteria are, i.e. special menu for diabetics etc. All of their stuff probably has nutritional info posted if not ask to head of the nutrition/cafeteria become friends with that person.

It may take some work, if you are only a Freshman and have 4 more years to go, you may be able to make changes that will help you stay maintained for4 years once you reach your goal. If that makes sense.