Is it just my imagination or........................

Hi All,

I need some sound advice and factual information here.  Since I am nearing goal, I have recently allowed myself to have a few items that have a fair amount of carbs in them such as Thinsations Yogurt Pretzels and Thinsations Nutter Butter bars and a few other things like that.  They are all things that certainly have more carbs than protein in them.  It seems to me, or maybe its all in my head, that when I have one of these Thinsations snacks for my morning snack, I am SO hungry for the rest of the day and just want more carbs.  Really?  Do 100 calories of carbs really do that?

I need some ideas for dense proteins for breakfast and snacks.  I am starting to tire of yogurt (greek, and just about any other kind of fat free).  I eat it with fruit and hemp hearts.  Other than that, I don't know what to have.  My lunch is usually two pieces of crispbread (Ryvita Sesame) with hummus on them and a small yogurt cup.  Did I mention that I am a vegetarian, and that is what I find so hard.

I need to get back to 800-1000 calories a day and I think if I could stay on proteins, I could do it because my hunger wouldn't get in the way if it is in fact that one little carby snack that is causing my woes.

HELP!?

I am a carb addict and certain types of carbs, especially refined ones, can trigger my appetite big time. Those innocent little 100 calorie packs of stuff? Sure they might only have 15 carbs, but that's all it takes with the refined carbs to set me off sometimes. I avoid them most of the time.

I eat quite a big of string cheese for snacks. Also eggs - hard boiled for snacks, scrambled for breakfast sometimes. I occassionally have sprouted bread but you really have to watch the labels to make sure it is low carb and high protein (Trader Joe's has 7 carbs and 5 protein per slice). Fish is good, too, though not something I eat for breakfast. Tuna, shrimp, salmon, any white fish. Yum!

I also still do a protein shake most days. It helps me get protein in quickly and easily. I'm not a vegetarian so I also eat lots of meats. I know you are, so I tried to list a few things that weren't meat.

Those Thinsations things sound like they have sugar in them.  Do they?  Sugar (and simple/junk carbs, which pretzels are) are the devil, will make a person hungry as a bear in a very short time, and cause one to crave more of the same.  There has to be some other options for snacks.

Some of my snacks are a spoonful of peanut butter or a piece or two of cheese (or a cheese stick), a spoonful of cream cheese (sometimes with stuff mixed in), a pack of peanut butter crackers (not the best choice, but the PB is good), some nuts, a piece of celery with pimento cheese or cream cheese in the crack, a few bites of tuna salad, a small bit of vegetable soup....  Um, that's all I can think of right now.  

I'd lose those Thinsations if I were you.  You can find better options!  Best wishes :-)

--Dorothy 

Two issues for me:

*Refined carbs (read sugars and starches) trigger the carb monster, which is what you're experiencing. Simple carbs can cause your blood sugar (anyone's) to spike and then plummet, causing hunger and awakening the carb monster.
*Carbs mixed with protein in the same meal are better, though I didn't start this until maintenance.

Have you tried Quest bars? They are protein and mostly fiber carbs.

 

Total Hijack - But I finally got your new AVI to load!  Love It - especially that big smile!

 Another great source of protein is tofu and tempeh. Sometimes, I'll use silken tofu in shakes, but there are many uses for tofu, and it can make great meals and snacks. I don't use it, as much as I would like, but it a good source of protein.

Have you tried any of the Julian Bakery breads? They are very low in net carbs and their Smart Carb#1 bread has 12 g protein per slice. http://www.julianbakery.com/bread-product/smart-carb-1/

They have two other breads also that are very good.http://www.julianbakery.com/bread-product/paleo-bread-coconu t/ look around their site.

 Hi..  I love the carbsmart #1 bread, just wondered if it gave you any problems as far as weight regain.. I like to eat it 2 to 3x a week with cheese broiled on top.. but quit buying as i am trying to get focused on losing good again..

I read this online just yesterday:

"Both the anticipation of carbohydrates and the actual eating of them cause our bodies to secrete the hormone insulin which serves to deposit both fatty acids and glucose in fat tissue and it keeps those calories trapped in fat tissue once they get there. As long as we respond to carbohydrates by secreting more insulin, we continue to move nutrients from our bloodstream in expectation of the arrival of more, so we remain hungry or at least not fulfilled."

Here's the link to the full article: http://www.zeroinginonhealth.com/Hunger.html

How about cottage cheese? I eat 1/2 cup mixed with green apples and it hits the spot!