Weight-Loss Slow Carb/Low-GI snack ideas?

[shrinkingLeon]

Last year, I was looking for ways to lose weight. One day, I was on the Internet, and I discovered a website that suggests that people keep it simple with a "Slow Carb" diet. Basically, avoid "white" foods with lots of refined sugar and flour, avoiding soft drinks and lots of protein heavy foods. I also eat similar meals for 6 days/wk. Basically, lots of lean meats, green, leafy vegetables, and legumes (Black Beans and Lentils in particular). I also try to eat 3-4 small meals per day to keep my metabolism going. I am also allowed one "cheat day" per week. Sometimes, I cut it down to a "cheat meal" depending on how I feel. Sometimes, that means eating junk food, sometimes it can mean me eating pasta or Thai food with noodles.

I have managed to lose 85 pounds over the last year, but in the last few months, I have been gaining and losing the same 15 pounds. I've had a number of personal issues going on in my life, which has affected my motivation. Some days, I'm gung ho, other days, I'm not.

A Typical day includes:

AM Breakfast (eaten at 8:00 & 10:00 AM):

Egg Whites
Spinach
Pinto Beans


12:30 PM Lunch:

Grilled Chicken or Smoked Turkey
Vegetable Mix of Green Beans, Broccoli, and Spinach
Mixture of beans, typically Black Beans and Pinto Beans

2:00 PM Snack:

Usually some Celery and Hummus

4:00 PM Dinner:

See 12:30 PM lunch

The reason why I eat so early is because I usually work out in the afternoons. The trouble I have is what to eat after my workouts. Usually, it means me going to Chipotle or Willy's to eat a salad, but sometimes, I have a tendency to snack, and quite frankly, I get sick of eating celery. I also eat nuts (usually, unsalted almonds), but I try to be VERY careful with those because of the calories that can accrue. I've also experimented with making low-carb wraps with turkey, cheese, celery, and hummus. I'm trying to avoid cheese though, but I bought a pack in a moment of weakness. I figure that I can enjoy cheese every once in awhile if I don't just scarf down on it all the time.

I bought some dried Wasabi peas at the grocery store the other day, which I felt was a good low-carb snack option, but I discovered that one of the main ingredients in it is rice flour, and the net carbs are pretty high.

I also saw some wasabi edamame, but I'm concerned about allowing a lot of soy in my diet too.

I have found that "crunchy bean" mix with Peas, Lentils, and Adzuki Beans. I usually put that in my salad, but if it can work as a snack food, I'm all for it.

I did find a recipe for roasted Chick-peas that I'm willing to do. Has anyone tried that?

Anyone elso on a low-GI diet? Any suggestions on snacking? I know I posted a sample of a "typical" meal, but I do usually have a bit more variety than that. When I have time, I'll cook asparagus or Kale or Bok Choy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! For my height (5'11"), I should be in the 170s-180s. While I don't think I'll be that weight anytime soon, anything that will help me reach my goals would be great. Any ideas for snacking that won't contribute to a plateau? There are some days when I want to climb a wall in frustration, but I managed to get from 345 pounds to 260 pounds in the last year, so I know I must keep on doing what I have to do. It's just trying to figure out what are some good things to snack on, moreso than the meals themselves, if that makes any sense.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Jeanette401]

I'm doing something like the low-GI although it's more glycemic load and focusing on 1) avoiding blood sugar spikes and 2) getting plenty of fiber, protein & veggies.

I haven't done roasted chickpeas, but I do like hummus. My husband particularly loves celery & hummus.

One thing to note is that you can 'slow down' carbs by eating them with fat, fiber & protein. So you can 'slow down' an apple by having some string cheese with it, as an example.

I snack regularly on dry roasted edamame (soy beans). You don't want to overdo soy, but in moderation it's fine.

I also like Greek yogurt + inulin (a slightly sweet fiber) + frozen fruit.

I'm currently experimenting with some protein powder, fake sugar, mini-cheesecake recipes and those have been pretty decent (I'm trying to see how low fat I can go before they're not really edible - the 1/3 less fat is just as good as full fat to me).

I will occasionally have the "Weight Control" oatmeal. Not only are oats whole grains that are definitely slower than the white foods, the weight control variant adds extra protein & fiber. Oatmeal by itself has a GI of around 55, and a GL of around 12. I also will make steel cut oats which have a lower GI than the oatmeal, but they're not that quick to cook.

Another fave is tuna-avocado salad. Instead of mayo, I throw in avocado and maybe a bit of the Greek yogurt if I really want the creaminess and wrap in some romaine or something.

Romaine wraps with cheese + ham or chicken lunch meat is also good. And simpler than trying to figure out a wrap that tastes good and is nutritionally right for me.

Please to share the roasted chickpea recipe Beans, lentils etc. are all good options, but they're outside my experience with cooking so I've been slowly learning.

Hope this helps!