Starchy veg advise please.

[lizpolat]

Am looking ahead to next week when I can reintroduce starchy veg. have looked on fitday and see that 1 cup of potatoes is about 28g of carbs. That would take up the most of my days carbs. Why would I introduce them? surely they are one thing I should avoid?
Carrots look about 8g a cup so will certainly have soem of them.

[Elizellen]

Re: Starchy veg advise please.

Yes - as you progress up the carb ladder you will find some foods that mean only a tablespoon or so of them would make the 5 net carbs addition. Like you I would prefer to add half a cup or so of carrots or other starchy veg rather than a small dollop of spuds

[lizpolat]

Re: Starchy veg advise please.

Thanks Elizellen- yes I think i would rather not have them than just have a tiny bit! I had thought that next week I would be tucking into a big jacket spud with loadsa butter and cheese!!! Oh well- have managed this long without thinking about them!

[EverLosing]

Re: Starchy veg advise please.

Yeah, the carb content of potatoes is a bit depressing. I have had them a FEW times since beginning this WOL in December 2008. If you're really wanting something potato-like without the huge impact of the real thing, cauliflower (prepared any way you like) with bacon bits, sour cream, butter and cheese is awesome. I have found along the way the things I used to love the most need to be replaced with something healthier but similar. That way you can have more than a bite or two and you'll find something new and delicious to add to your menu. I don't even buy potatoes anymore. The only times I've had them have been in social situations where I've been somewhere else and they were being served. They won't kill your day if you keep your portion very small.

[lizpolat]

Re: Starchy veg advise please.

Everlosing- thanks for replying. Now I see alot on here about Cauliflower. But I cant bear the smell of it! When you add the extras like butter and cheese, does it really taste like a mash potatoes or does the cauliflower smell and taste over power it all.?

[EverLosing]

Re: Starchy veg advise please.

I have read tips on how to prepare the cauliflower to not smell so bad and adding other things surely changes the taste. Can't remember what I've read about the smell though. Google cauliflower low carb and see what you come up with. It's not exactly the same as mashed taters but certainly is close enough to satisfy you. Try it out and see if you like it. You might just LOVE it. Explore the veggie challenge post. You'll find more than one awesome recipe over there for cauliflower preparation. Mitzi is heading up the challenge and cauliflower is one of her favorite veggies. She has great suggestions, recipes and ideas. Utilize her knowledge. It will lead you to deliciousness!!!

[pagliaccia]

Re: Starchy veg advise please.

I have issues with the smell of steamed cauli, and that is my main form of preparation. I find that if you salt the cauli a little, the smell isn't so intense. Also, I just kinda deal with the smell until I load it up with butter, herbs, etc. It tastes excellent after that! Give it a shot!

[not2late]

Re: Starchy veg advise please.

You only add foods in 5 net carb amounts during OWL, so you shouldn't be adding 1 cup of potatoes or 1 cup of blueberries or 1 cup of pinto beans or 1 cup of rice, etc.

5 net carbs of potatoes is a "small" amount. However, if you mix that "small" amount of potatoes with other foods, it stretches the amount. For example, let's say you want to have an OWL Rung 8 "egg roll". You cook your ground meat, add the other egg roll veg (primarily cabbage), and add 5 net carbs of minced potato or 5 net carbs of shredded carrot.

Do you like vegetable soup? 5 net carbs of cubed potatoes gives your vegetable soup serving some variety.

For omelette fillings, add 5 net carbs of cubed potatoes to the usual mushrooms, peppers, etc.

There is a sticky at the top of the forum about eating at the higher Rungs, you might want to check it out.

[liv]

Re: Starchy veg advise please.

And then there are rutabaga (I love them) and yams and sweet potatoes and beets and squashes. But yes potatoes are carby - I sometimes have a few spoonfulls of mashed with supper if the rest of the family have them or a piece of baked (especially the skin because is the most yummy part - a couple of fries maybe But it is all about the portion size. It is probably the most important thing I learned on OWL to portion things out in 5 carb units.

[Georgiana]

Re: Starchy veg advise please.

When you add the extras like butter and cheese, does it really taste like a mash potatoes or does the cauliflower smell and taste over power it all.?

It tastes like mashed cauliflower to me.

I don't know about the smell... it doesn't bother me, so I never thought of it.