Translation troubles

[sallyseachange]

Am on the verge of moving to the berries rung. Wanted to eat something we in Italy call "mirtilli" (a berry). Did a 'translate' in WORD... so I could find out the carb count...and it came up with 'bilberry'. Checked on the USDA data base... and it wasn't there. Does anyone know anything about mirtilli? (mirtles... or bilberries or whatever they're called). Are they allowed? What are they called? And what is the carb count?

Thanks for any advice!

Sal

[not2late]

Re: Translation troubles

Botanically, bilberries are related to blueberries. They are in the same plant species, but are different varieties. In other words, they're plant cousins. So, I would use the carb count for blueberries.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Translation troubles

Thanks a lot Not2late, good to know....will do!

Sal

[Jennyxxx]

Re: Translation troubles

Hi Sally

Mirtilli are "blackcurrants" in the UK - I suppose that is similar to the blueberries.

Jen

[sallyseachange]

Re: Translation troubles

Thanks Jen, for the reply. I see you're in Italy too. How do you find doing Atkins here? It isn't the easiest place in the world, I don't think...but lots of fresh veggies...

Sal

[Jennyxxx]

Re: Translation troubles

Pleased to meet you Sally ... you are right it is not so easy here! I read all the things the others find in supermarkets and restaurants .. and here there is just nothing. Even to find soya flour took ages and it was so expensive! My mother then brought me some over from the UK with a huge can of splenda so I cooked for a while. I tend to live on chicken - turkey breasts - affettati - cheese and loads of salad and veggies. In the morning I make what someone kindly suggested some time ago - mascarpone & cream & coffee - otherwise my menu is quite dull. Fish I have occasionally - I found some bran "grissini" which were only 0.5 gr carb/stick so they are handy. Otherwise I have never found any low-carb foods at all.

Take care

Jen

[sallyseachange]

Re: Translation troubles

Nice to meet you too Jen. I too get quite envious of all the low carb choices people have abroad. Sometimes I get stuff (supplements etc) sent from the UK from Lowcarbmegastore...but it's soooooo expensive! From the States I had trouble with customs... they asked for seventy euro just to check a package, with no guarantee of sending it on to me. So I had them return it!

You can get flax seed here and protein powder. For sweetner I use Dietor (but only the liquid one which is saccharin only, as opposed to the Dietor powders which have other sweetners in them). But I might get my relatives to send out a pack of splenda. Didn't realise you could get it in the UK too. Thanks for the tip.

Think that here in Italy you just have to do more cooking, if you want variety, but it's uphill all the way, isn't it?! Melanzane alla Parmigiana is good (made with the frozen packs of grilled melanzane).

Oh well...despite Italy I still managed to get to within 200 grams of goal! Am keeping my fingers crossed that I don't stall at this point!!! Maintenance here I come!

Happy low carbing!

Sal

[Elizellen]

Re: Translation troubles

What a co-incidence, Sally - our local greengrocer has packs of blueberries from - guess where? Italy!! - and on the labels it says 'mirtilli'.
Delicious they were too and really huge!! Excellent with a spoonful of Greek Yogurt.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Translation troubles

Oh I do so agree Elizellen! That's exactly how I eat mine...with Greek yogurt! (though sometimes cream). Got a big bush in the garden...but that's not enough for me... also pick when walking the dogs, then freeze! Those and raspberries are real favs. Best thing about OWL for me was berries and the odd glass of wine!

Sal