So, cognitively the best thing to do with any diet plan is to focus on the positives and what you love about your chosen plan. I try to do that a lot here, meat pusher that I am, never forgetting the advantages of low carb in terms of fast weight loss, overall health, curbing hunger, delicious foods.
But, today, I'm doing the opposite, and answering the question: what's the worst part about doing low carb?
For me, it's that low carbing can be an essentially anti-social diet. As a culture, we choose to celebrate by sharing food. Now, some people will counter this by saying the focus on food as a necessity for celebration is not healthy, and we should just opt out of it altogether. I think that's a bit extreme, and as someone who gets a lot of pleasure out of cooking and sharing a meal with friends and family, I'm not about to throw out the very delicious baby with the carby bathwater.
The problem with low carb is the one I brought up during the low carb conference call back in February: this is not a widely socially accepted diet. People counting calories can always just eat less, or stick to the salad and fruit which is generally always available. People on low carb have to be wary of sugary salad dressings and shredded carrots, ask about sauces and marinades, and skip many courses altogether.
While we may have only started incorporating carbs into our diet fairly recently in evolutionary terms, socially, carb eating seems to be well ingrained.
Restaurants that cater to low carbers are few and getting fewer as marketing departments dismiss this way of eating as a long-gone "fad". (Single tear here for the loss of the incredible low carb cheesecake at Ruby Tuesday's. Full disclosure: I used to waitress for Ruby Tuesday's, and I had a whole one of those cheesecakes for my birthday cake two years ago. Yum!)
I get annoyed going out to eat and paying double to eat half as much. For a twenty-something in the big city, the lack of low carb drink mixers available in bars and clubs is also a social concern. Gin or vodka and diet coke can only last for so long before you realize wait, this tastes revolting, and sugar gives people worse hangovers anyway so why not offer some lower carb options?
While we're on the low carb options kick, I find the plethora of ready made carb options in the grocery store ridiculously disproportionate to the rotisserie chickens or lunchmeats available for us. Add in the "heart healthy" or "sensible solution" stickers all over products crammed with high fructose corn syrup and a bunch of chemicals, and I'm positively growling by the time I get to the steak section.
I also find being invited to a restaurant or event has a little extra layer of stress: will there be something I can eat? I'm not about to call my host and demand they lay on the protein for me (I've read too much Miss Manners for that), but it is a small worry.
So, what's a low carb girl to do?
1) Change the culture
Watch this space. In all seriousness though, one of the reasons I try to blog about low carb whenever I can is to spread the word. Slowly, slowly, people are starting to pay more attention to the way sugar affects them, and a variety of low carb plans are getting more positive media attention.
2) Make like a Boy Scout
Being prepared for little to no low carb options at certain gatherings helps me stick to plan. It's way easier for me to do this if I have a protein bar stashed away, or if I down a protein shake beforehand to tide me over. Also, checking the restaurant menus ahead of time can ease your mind.
3) Realize other people's comments are about themselves
This is a powerful tool when combating negative energy about low carbing. I learned this from a wise poster over at the Meat & Eggers For Life Forum, who advised anyone worrying about what others would think that diet-bashing comments usually just came from a place of insecurity or hurt in the commenter. This may not always be the case, but it is ALWAYS the case that their comments are more about themselves than about you.
When people come at me with the usual Atkins myths, I just grin and tell them how much I love it, and how I've been doing it for years and never felt healthier. If they actually want to engage in discussion, I enjoy telling them about the studies and research backing up low carb. If it's just a drive-by bash (you know the ones I mean!) then I just grin and get back to my meat. Remember, though, you don't have to defend the way to eat to anyone.
I bring up these points not to be negative about low carbing, but because I believe in painting an accurate picture of this way of life. I know I can deal with problems much better by writing about them and analyzing them, and I think it's important to be very honest about all aspects of a plan.
So, what about you? Do you find it harder to low carb in a carby culture? Any tips for survival?
YES ! it is so hard to low carb in social situations. some people who don't understand the first thing about the diet are the worst. they can be so rude/mean with their "thoughts" on low carbing.
I know, let's kill them all.
just kidding.
cheesecake factory has a giant slice 6-carb cheesecake made with splenda with a nutty crust.
it's yummy!
Posted by: paj | June 25, 2007 at 06:43 PM
Yeah, you're right, the food thing really IS a pain.
I don't go out much. When I do, I eat super LC/HP before I go. Then I figure, when I get to the food, if it's good I can have some, if it's great I can take some home too maybe, and if it sucks, then it doesn't make me bat an eye to skip most of it and only eat a few pieces here and there.
Nothing's more inclined to make me think maybe I should just eat carby stuff than being really hungry with food in front of me, so I try to avoid those two things happening together in social occasions. ;-)
Posted by: PJ (RightNow) | June 25, 2007 at 11:25 PM
If I've learned anything, it's to always be prepared. I keep a low-carb bar or some nuts in my purse all the time, in case I arrive at a gathering and can't find anything lc friendly, which has happened several times.
I also HATE that I have to pay more to replace fries with a salad, or that I waste food because I can't eat 1/2 of what comes with my choice of meat.
I do agree that we should educate people when we can, but that we don't have to defend ourselves anymore. I've been defending my lc lifestyle for almost 7 years. It really gets old so I just smile and keep eating now.
Posted by: Sparkys Girl | June 26, 2007 at 06:02 AM
I hear you. They charge full price, and all I want is the meat. Some places, like Sizzler, have a secret 'a la carte' menu, so I order a big steak a la carte, extra rare, and I'm good.
We went to Disneyland and I got the roast beef plate. Two small pieces of roast beef on an otherwise empty plate for 18.00. Sigh...
Cheesecake? ::wakes up::
Posted by: Shelly Smith | June 27, 2007 at 02:36 AM
I actually have it a little easier, though most don't think so. I have to be gluten and dairy free, and I have laminated cards that explain my dietary needs so that servers and chefs can accomodate me. This makes it easier to refuse any carby stuff I don't want and get a replacement, bc they assume I'm allergic to potatoes or rice or whatever.
If I forget my cards? Well...you get some pretty rude comments when you order breakfast as scrambled eggs and bacon, no toast, no homefries, extra bacon and tomato slices, and maybe a little ham, please.
I've never understood why it costs more to replace fries with salad. It should just always be an option: fries or salad.
Posted by: Tracy | June 28, 2007 at 04:25 PM
I forgot to add my tip...
claim food allergies!!
Posted by: Tracy | June 28, 2007 at 04:31 PM
I'm a type 2 diabetic, so I have a good excuse. I find most restaurants are willing to substitute veggies for starch at no additional charge. Most fast food places offer the choice of salad or fries.
However, I too have found that some places skimp on the protein. If I go to subway for a salad, I usually order double meat.
Social situations are a challenge. I have to bring my own. Everyone seems to want carby food. If I want dessert, I have to bring my own low carb version. We went to a friend's Christmas party and brought a shrimp ring. For a while, all I could eat was shrimp, cheese, & nuts. Eventually, someone brought a veggie tray. Of course, there were plenty of sweets, which I had to avoid. Thank God that low carb has curbed my cravings. It's tough for us low carbers and you have to plan ahead & be prepared.
Posted by: Dan | June 29, 2007 at 06:04 AM
The audacity of strangers who feel compelled to comment upon what you eat can only be explained by the 'it's really about them' observation. Thank you! It's tempting to reply to a question like "What, don't you eat corn" with "Oh, we've had nothing to eat but corn for the past two weeks thanks to the harvest." "Don't you eat ice cream?" "Oh, I can't look at it this evening because I ate 2 pints for lunch." And just let them wonder at your slim figure...
The only comfort for them is to think that you're an uncontrollable glutton like themselves.
Posted by: Jewels | June 29, 2007 at 08:40 AM
Sure it can be difficult to eat low-carb in a carb-loaded society like ours. But I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING else I've ever come across to manage my weight and health. GREAT ADVICE about how to handle the negative comments, too, Kate! :)
Posted by: Jimmy Moore | July 01, 2007 at 08:24 PM
I ate out last night at a good friends family pot luck and 4th of July fireworks get together. I simply made sure to eat some beef jerky and nuts on the way, and grabbed a large Diet Mt Dew that I nursed for a while there.
I was never hungry - no cravings or white knuckle moments. It was really enjoyable and just not even a temptation to eat high carb hot dishes (what I grew up on and love) and other awesome sweets and treats there!
Be Prepared!! Deal with it up front on your own terms. Then if there are low carb offerings - Great! But if not you are doing fine too!! Not feeling like you are missing out at all!!
Posted by: Tim Nolan | July 04, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Try Outback Steakhouse. I found at least 10 things I can eat from their menu. They were also very accommodating to swap rice for green beans. Their vegies are yummy.
Posted by: meat and two veg | July 05, 2007 at 03:15 PM
I find the office setting to be difficult. We are treated to a meal once a month when the building celebrates the month's anniversaries, birthdays, etc. It's very nice and certainly a bonus, but lately it's always been a breakfast meal - which seems to mean donuts, bagels and cake. They do have one fruit platter and a few containers of low-fat yogurt for the "dieters." I just get ticked off about it when I let myself, but I'm the ONLY low-carber in the building, so asking for a cheese platter instead, just for me, seems a little much. I wish they'd go back to lunches because there are usually salads or deli meats or, if we're really lucky, roast chicken! And all the folks around me who constantly whine about their weight while whining about their WW frozen meals and then eating the office candy (and the donuts, bagels, and cake) but telling me I'm ruining my health really tick me off, too. When I let them. So I try not to let them as much as possible.
Posted by: Cindy Brickley | July 10, 2007 at 10:56 AM
I make sure I take along low carb choices when I'm out, or eat a high-fat meal beforehand.
As for rude comments, I haven't had any. I have learned not to discuss my choices with others in real life.
When eating out, I don't ask IF they will substitute a low carb item; I just ask for the substitute outright.
Posted by: djac99 | July 11, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Unfortunately, a lot of places that let you substitue veggies or salad for the starchy offerings usually have pretty crappy veggies or salad. It would be nice if they made an effort to prepare them well. If they did, more non-low-carbers would order them too.
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Posted by: irany | July 14, 2007 at 12:29 AM
Great tips everyone!
Tracy, the allergies claim is a great one!
"Sorry, I can't eat that, I'm allergic."
"Oh, no! I'm sorry - I didn't realize."
"Yeah, it makes me fat."
Jewels, your ice cream line cracked me up!
Cindy, good point about choosing to "let" people tick you off or not. If their comments say more about them than about us or our eating, our reactions speak worlds about us.
Thanks for all the continuing advice.
Posted by: Kate Welch | July 15, 2007 at 05:56 PM
Great commentary, Kate!
It definitely helps to be prepared for the social situations where the choices are out of your control. Nuts are my safety net. But, I find it incredibly frustrating to deal with the social aspect of eating out. I don't eat out often but I also don't want to become a social recluse just because I choose a low carb life. Recently I tried to get together with my best friend who I hadn't seen in 3 months and while I knew she was being supportive when we were trying to pick a restaurant, her comment of "What can you eat?" made me cringe a little.
I like Tim's suggestion of picking Outback! I will have to remember that one! I don't need some fancy schmancy place with atmosphere. Just throw me that side of beef on a plate. :)
Keep spreading the word!
Posted by: Scale Mistress | August 12, 2007 at 06:56 AM