Greetings from Dubai :)

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

>> I'm thinking I may need a buddy though, someone to check up on me and hold me accountable.>>

The best buddy there is is you ... you're the one to hold yourself accountable!

It needs to matter to YOU if you eat "on plan" ...

[dxbfatguy]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

Hi Georgiana,

I realize the whole prepare-everything-from-scratch thing.. but let's say you want to buy a can of beans. 9/10, the can will NOT contain nutritional facts. I can't safely buy cold cuts from the deli because no one really knows what's inside of them.

This makes it very difficult for me, especially when I'm not known for my cooking skills My wife tries to help, but I find it places an unfair burden on her so I do my own cooking, which ends up consisting of eggs or just meats with little else.

I know setting deadlines and high expectations can lead to disappointment.. but I'm also realistic, so I won't shoot myself for not reaching my dream goal..

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

>>let's say you want to buy a can of beans. 9/10, the can will NOT contain nutritional facts.>>

What kind of beans?

If you're referring to green beans, then you can look up the information on FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal

>> I do my own cooking, which ends up consisting of eggs or just meats with little else. >>

You need vegetables to do Atkins.

[Georgiana]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

I realize the whole prepare-everything-from-scratch thing.. but let's say you want to buy a can of beans. 9/10, the can will NOT contain nutritional facts.

Use FitDay or the USDA database.

I can't safely buy cold cuts from the deli because no one really knows what's inside of them.

I rarely buy cold cuts...

This makes it very difficult for me, especially when I'm not known for my cooking skills

You can learn. No one was born with cooking skills.

My wife tries to help, but I find it places an unfair burden on her so I do my own cooking, which ends up consisting of eggs or just meats with little else.

Are you eating vegetables?

Is your diet high fat? About 65% of your calories should come from fat.

[Georgiana]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

Sorry, forgot to post the links. This is the one to the USDA database: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/.

J., I'm known to reply very quickly, but you beat me to it!

[dxbfatguy]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

>>let's say you want to buy a can of beans. 9/10, the can will NOT contain nutritional facts.>>

What kind of beans?

If you're referring to green beans, then you can look up the information on FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal


You need vegetables to do Atkins.

Any kind of beans. Simply put: anything in a can, package that you will find a grocery store will more likely NOT include a nutritional facts label than not. Let's say I want to buy cheese. No facts. Let's say I want to buy sausages (pre-cooked ones) - one or 2 brands only contain nutritional facts. All I'm saying is, shopping without the facts makes it more difficult. I feel it puts an additional strain on an already tough diet.

I'm not letting it stop me though!

[dxbfatguy]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

Use FitDay or the USDA database.

I rarely buy cold cuts...

You can learn. No one was born with cooking skills.

Are you eating vegetables?

Is your diet high fat? About 65% of your calories should come from fat.

I like cold cuts.. I eat veggies, but not consistently. I eat them when in the office and end up ordering fish with steamed vegetables.

I think the cheese alone can take care of the necessary fat intake, but yeah, I don't look for anything 'fat-free', etc.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

>>I eat veggies, but not consistently.>>

It's not "Atkins" without the vegetables.

>> think the cheese alone can take care of the necessary fat intake>>

Are you tracking your food somehow?

4 ounces (the maximum amount) of cheddar, for example is 32 grams of fat and 283 calories. I'm guessing that's not going to be 60-70% of your daily calories (the backwards math escapes me!).

I think becoming familiar with the USDA database or the carb count information in the back of your DANDR is going to be critical for you ... shopping wise.

Also, buying fresh may work out better for you.

[chinadoll]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

Its tough for those in the US or Europe to get how hard the shopping can be in way out places like Dubai or China. They are right about the veggies--you do need more. BUt with regard to the sausages and things, just do the best you can there. Canned green beans will be fine but other beans are not allowed until the higher rungs. I know that is just an example but here's how you might need to look at it: If a veggie is allowed on Atkins Induction then chances are the frozen or canned version of it will be fine unless there is a sauce on it of some kind. The canned stuff will have a bit more sodium though. Meats and sausages bought there--well, go by taste for one. And go by the scale. You will need to watch how these affect your losses and cravings. If you aren't losing or are hungry every time you eat the sausages then you know there is something in there that shouldn't be.

Here's the thing...use the lack of packaged frankenfood crap like the bars to your advantage. I stay on Atkins MUCH BETTER here than at home because I don't have a lot of sweetened, processed low carb foods around. Instead I have real food. real veggies, real meat (sometimes with the head still on), real eggs, and a lot of bottled water. Would I like access to some low carb stuff? Sure and that's usually when I go off track too. So 1) allow your wife to get involved with your weight loss and 2) do the best you can with real fresh food and use common sense when shopping for sausage, etc. because you are right. You can't control what is in a lot of what you eat and you don't have a lot of choices with some of it. But DO pay attention to the affect those things have on you. If you do these things you will get results.

I am also a career expat and have done Atkins in three countries and have kept of 60+ pounds for 5 years and am losing the other 60 now. I have never had access to packaged low carb stuff. I bring back a couple of goodies in my bag each year (a box of Splenda, a bottle of sugar free maple syrup, and a couple bottles of low carb ketchup) and make do. I don't feel like it makes the diet more difficult and I can tell you it does work!

[haifawehbe]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

Hey..I haven't been around for a long time due to some upheavals in my personal life. I am now at 120 and want to lost at least 10 lbs before I go to Dubai to visit my brother (and ex) on December 4. I would really love to buddy up with someone here. I just had an omlette with 2 eggs and a eggwhites for breakfast. Hope that keeps me going for most of the day. The only thing I struggle with wine in the evenings though. Just can't give that up I need motivation.

[Georgiana]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

Hey..I haven't been around for a long time due to some upheavals in my personal life. I am now at 120 and want to lost at least 10 lbs before I go to Dubai to visit my brother (and ex) on December 4. I would really love to buddy up with someone here. I just had an omlette with 2 eggs and a eggwhites for breakfast. Hope that keeps me going for most of the day. The only thing I struggle with wine in the evenings though. Just can't give that up I need motivation.

Welcome back!

Are you still on Induction, as your profile info says, or did you move to OWL or Pre-Maintenance?

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

<<The only thing I struggle with wine in the evenings though. Just can't give that up<<

Hmmm ... if you can't give up wine for two weeks ... then???

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

>>I just had an omlette with 2 eggs and a eggwhites for breakfast. Hope that keeps me going for most of the day. >>

That's not good Atkins eating.

Are you just using Atkins to diet away 10 pounds?

[dxbfatguy]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

Okay, cooking question then:

I love burgers and steak. I mean, I LOVE burgers.. and I don't mind tofu. I would like to use tofu as a replacement for the buns (less messy than lettuce in my experience). What's the best way to cook it/fry it/etc. to have the hardened feeling of a bun? I'm using 'extra firm' tofu.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Greetings from Dubai

Tofu isn't allowed on Induction.