No Carbs for Dinner?!

I don't have specific experience, but when I had gestational diabetes I had to restrict carbs. One of the surprisingly tasty recipes was cauliflower mashed "potatoes". Basically, you cook it and then mix milk, butter, salt in as if you were making mashed potatoes - surprisingly yummy!

Visit your library for cookbooks with no carb/low carb recipes - that way you can check into it without spending money on the cookbooks till you find what you like. You may also find some great recipes online by googling your condition and cooking, recipes, etc. or no-carb recipes, etc.

Do as much as you can to have tasty food and not feel like you're restricting yourself. You may also find that when you're getting comfortable with your new diet, you might CHOSE to cut something out :)

Can you start in a couple weeks? It is a really hard time to start something like that and at the beginning of the year lots of people try to make changes so you might find support from friends. It is very difficult to eliminate carbs at first. It can make you feel really gross and if you are also on caffeine now, withdrawal from that is no picnic (but it's quick). Before long at all you have a ton of energy and feel really great so it is no longer so difficult.

See if your library has a copy of South Beach Diet as many of those recipes would qualify. It might give you some ideas.

When I got off caffeine I really missed having that "substantial" beverage in the am. So I tried teaccino (not sure of the spelling). It's an herbal coffee-like beverage that is really yummy. I do like herbal tea, but in the am I want something that feels bigger.

Do you have to quit everything all at once? Generally it is easier to ease into things as it is totally normal to go overboard the other way if you feel too deprived.

I can understand how you feel!! But my husband eats a diet like this and he lost 40 lbs and keeps it off. I make him lots of soups. That way, he gets protein as well as veggies. I think if you can, keep the dairy in your diet because then you can eat cream based soups which are more fun. I personally love French Onion, Cream of mushroom, and any Chinese or Asian soups. They key is to use a lot of bold flavors so you are not feeling bummed out. In terms of main course, you can make a lot of proteins and veggies by using once again, Asian flavors. I do a lot of home made marinades and grill a lot. You can also roast veggies in olive oil and salt and pepper and that tastes really good. Beyond soup, do not boil any of your food. How depressing!

Go to the library and check-out some cookbooks. I'm not a fan of any diet that restricts ENTIRE food groups, but the Atkins diet books and the South Beach Diet books may have some different ideas!

Off the top of my head, I would suggest
-omlettes with varied fillings and fruits as a side dish.
-kebabs with proteins and veggies on an indoor grill, playing around with seasonings and marinades
-warm spinach salad with grilled chicken or flank steak (I also slice boiled eggs and crumbled bacon on top)

I'm of the moderation school. Eat healthy home cooked meals, but keep the portion size under control. Every meal should have a balance, and you should snack frequently on fresh fruits, veggies and nuts. I would not buy into a diet that was so restrictive you are unable to stick with it. Eat what you want, just dont eat too much. If you ear "right", lots of fiber and fruits/veg's you will not be hungry and tempted to go for that quarter pounder with cheese.
Drink lots of water, it keeps you full.
I drink several cups of green tea every day, it has antioxidants and is a natural appetite supressor.
Celery and peanut butter is an awesome between meal snack that has protein, fiber and hydration.

i am confused. cuz all veggies have carbs in them, are you allowed potatoes for example or bananas (both which are high in carbs but not a grain.) you could make stir fry or chinese chicken and brocoli. black bean soup, (most soups actually) here is a good recipe for carrot soup that makes 2 bowls (at 45cal a bowl) 3oz baby carrots cut and boiled in 3 cups water and 2 tsp each cinnomon and chili pwder and 2 chicken bullion cubes. boil till soft with lid on pan. place in food processor or blender with 2 tb fat free sour cream and 1/2 cup low cal orange juice.this has half the sugar. puree. mmmm its so good. or how about taking a piece of chicken breast and pouding it flat and putting half a slice of swiss cheese and 1 slice turkey ham in center then rolling it (tie close with twine) and bake....this is good served with fresh grean beans. i makke this roasted veggie salad that is good (i roast green beans tomatoes potatoes and zuchini and red pepers but u can choose whatever veggies you like) and serve the roasted veggies over spinach or arugula

I found out over a year ago I am very intolerant to wheat and somewhat intolerant to dairy. I was shocked but it turned out that's what was giving me headaches and making me so tired. I've never had any weight problem at all - my family has incredible metabolisms - so I'd always been able to eat as much of anything I want. So how in the world could I give up pizza??? But I did. I noticed a change in how I felt so quickly that it was really motivating. And it's almost easier to not be able to eat any of something. You lose your taste or cravings for things to a large degree and just "don't go there". I would suggest trying it for 2 weeks and seeing if you feel differently. That can be a big motivator. I also lost weight quickly though really didn't need to and am too thin now. But it struck me as a great way for people to lose weight who need to. You don't mention dairy but if you can eat that, that makes a huge difference. If you can eat corn, I gorge on chips and guacamole. I love that so it's a great treat. Look up celiac disease or gluten free diet stuff on the web. There are lots of pastas now that have no wheat and they're not bad if you have a lot of sauce on them. And there's gluten free pizza crust that's good. I found the rice/corn pasta best though I guess rice/corn are grains... So maybe don't cut out dairy... I also add guac and/or salsa to grilled chicken or add mushrooms and grilled onions. I suggest trying to force yourself for at least 2 weeks and just see what happens. Not sure if you can have dark chocolate but that's my treat too.