Hi all!

I am really surprised how often sugar is used .. even in food I wouldn't think would need it.

For example, most of the sausages and deli here in Switzerland have some sort of sugar in it. I guess it's to keep the sausage 'good'? Anyway, the carb amount is always very low so .. I guess it's ok to eat it? I hope it is as otherwise I would go hungry soon!

It also seems that the butchers use nitrates in almost all their products. Unfortunately, I don't live in the states where I can get nitrate-free bacon, for example. (The low carb craze hasn't this country yet, although the doctors do recommend the diet!). So my other question is, if it's ok to have meat with nitrates?

Thank and have a nice weekend

Massimo,
Lucerne, Switzerland

God that's pretty. Anyway, I know Atkins advices against meat with nitrates (not because it inhibits weight loss, but for general good health) but I've been eating them anyway. I don't eat bacon or sausage every day, so I don't think it's a big deal, but I guess it's a personal choice.

Nitrates that is. I know I need to cut them out. It is so expensive to do so though!

What I actually wanted to know is .. whether it was OK to eat those sausages and deli that contain sugar. The sugar content is very low (less than 0.5g per 100g) so I assumed it was OK that sort of meat. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks

You seem to be doing okay weight-loss-wise, so I would say - yeah, it's okay to keep eating the sausages. That really is a trace amount.

On the other hand, if you experience a stall, or sugar cravings, you may want to try and find an alternative.

Luckily I have not had any sugar cravings during the duration of the diet, which is great.

However, it seems that I'm on some sort of a plateau (now almost three weeks).

What do you suggest? Should I stop eating those sausages or other packed-meat, such as bacon or so?

Thanks,

Massimo

Massimo, it's hard to say.

There are several things to consider:

First of all, you don't have that much to lose, and the last few kilos are the slowest, usually. So you may just be having a natural slow-down.

Also, are you measuring, or just weighing? Lot's of people lose either weight, or inches, but not both at the same time. In my view, inches are better

And, are you exercising? If so, the muscle you are building can be taking up the weight you are losing in fat. Once again with as little as you need to lose, it would be hard to tell.

If you post what your typical daily menu is, it might be easer to tell. Salty food can make you retain water, in which case the sausage/bacon might be the culprits.

Other things that influence it:

If your fat intake is not high enough, or if your calories are too low, that can also affect losing. And, dairy stalls some people.

So - there's a lot to think about... In any case, I hope this helps.

Good luck!

I generally don't go nitrate free on most things. It seems like the nitrate free bacon has a lot more sodium which causes me to retain water so I would rather eat the nitrates. Nitrates have not affected me so far. I also eat the deli meat that has trace sugar sometimes but I TRY to do so in moderation! Here in the states the Boar's Head deli meat is good and no sugars!

What a GREAT picture! How beautiful!!!