Hi, I saw Gary Taubes a couple of times this past week on tv. What he said seemed to make sense to me. After researching him on the internet I found this site. Seems like a very helpful place.
I am interested in starting a low carb diet. Have tried LA WeightLoss and lost 45 pounds but 25 have crept back on. I read the box of the bars they want you to eat. It seems to be everything bad for you is in them.
One of my main concerns about the low carb diet is if you get enough fiber. I lost a parent to colon cancer at a young age and want to avoid that myself. Where do you get fiber on the low carb diet? Right now I eat fiber one cereal every morning. Will that be allowed? Or will I need to find another source?
Also I really struggle with my sweet tooth. I have heard that the low carb diet will reduce those cravings. Is this true?
I plan on heading to the book store later today or tomorrow. Any help or advice that you could give would be great.
Oh by the way I am a woman in my late 40's who has already been through menopause. So that is working against my struggle with my weight.
Please help if you can.
Thank you

Hi and welcome!!

Ok Low carbing does not mean no fiber (AKA No veggies!)
If the diet your looking at wants you to eat bars with stuff thats not good for you, then stop looking at the diet.

If you want a low carb healthy diet, I say go atkins and get Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution 2002 (red cover)

Also - depending on the low carb diet - no fiber one cereal will not be allowed. You can have fiber rich veggies like leafy greens and broccoli though, and can also take a fiber supplement if you find you need more.

Sweet tooth, yes, for instance Atkins Induction, gets you into ketosis, and you do lose the cravings you once had.

Meat, fats and some veggies. YUM! Look into all of the low carb diets availble though and find one thats right for you, that you don't feel wary about.

Good luck!

I agree, you can get fiber from veggies! And it is not harmful to take a non-stimulant laxative, such as metamucil. I have found that has kept me very regular.

And I hear you on those diet bars! It's unreal what they put in so-called healthy food. That's why I'm stickin' to all the natural stuff. The outer aisles at the grocery store are your friend. Those middle aisles are nothing but trouble! Well, unless you have to get TP or laundry soap...lol

Thanks for the replies. I think I can learn a lot from the experienced folks on here.

Your welcome!

I agree with Syndey Nelson - Stay away from man made low carb foods. They are filled with junk as far as I am concerned and go as natural whole foods as you can

Hey Seusa and WELCOME to my forum! It's SOOO good to see you here and it is a thrill and an honor to help share with you about the healthy low-carb lifestyle!

As for your questions, let's take a stab at them:

Where do you get fiber on the low carb diet?

I did a blog post on this very subject not that long ago:

http://livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com/2007...carb-fiber.html

Although there are alternative views regarding the need for fiber:

http://livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com/2007...ly-finally.html

Right now I eat fiber one cereal every morning. Will that be allowed?

No, cereal is not a good choice for fiber because you still consume carbohydrates which turn to sugar in the body and prevent ketosis. This is not good. I've blogged about the cereal diet scam that's been perpetrated on our culture, too:

http://livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com/2006...eight-loss.html

I really struggle with my sweet tooth. I have heard that the low carb diet will reduce those cravings. Is this true?

Sugar addiction is REALLY hard to overcome and it's like beating an addiction to crack cocaine. So when you start livin' la vida low-carb, it will be VERY hard at first. But stick with it and don't give in to temptation even once and you will reap the benefits of a reduced craving for sweets.

There are alternatives to sugar-filled foods like chocolate, for example, that I use to help keep me on the straight and narrow of my low-carb lifestyle. My favorite chocolate bar is ChocoPerfection and they are VERY low-carb and sugar-free:

http://livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com/2006...olate-bars.html

I plan on heading to the book store later today or tomorrow. Any help or advice that you could give would be great.

DEFINITELY, you should get Dr. Jonny Bowden's Living The Low-Carb Life for an overview of low-carb and all the major plans. It's a good starting point for anyone choosing to do this lifestyle because it lays the groundwork for what you'll be doing. Here's my review:

http://livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com/2005...-doing-low.html

Again, WELCOME to my forum and please let me know how I can help you in any way.