Libby Jenkinson, MPS, founder & CEO.
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Hi there, and welcome to Ditch The Carbs.
I’m Libby Jenkinson. A registered pharmacist, certified Health Coach, mother of 3 and founder of Ditch The Carbs. Ditch The Carbs PRO and Low-Carb Practitioners. – three of the world’s top low-carb websites. I also run one of the most popular online low-carb support groups and membership site.
Here at Ditch The Carbs, our mission is simple. To help people regain their health and lose weight by using low-carb nutrition - using my stepwise method in the 4-week QUICKSTART programme.
As a trained pharmacist, I'm in a unique position to understand the science behind low-carb living. And as a busy mother, I understand how to make low-carb EASY, on budget and practical.
I have helped more people regain their health in the last few years by using low-carb nutrition, than in my 25-year career, dispensing medication.
I have witnessed for decades the effects of chronic high blood sugars in my patients. I understand how wide-reaching metabolic syndrome is to almost every chronic disease. I want YOU to live your BEST life!
An ever-increasing number of medical professionals are telling their patients WHY they need to live low-carb, I can teach you HOW to live low-carb.
So join our the millions who visit here every month, and live your best life.
New here?
Want to start low-carb FAST? Do these 3 things ...
1: Download your FREE 5-day meal plan & shopping list
2: Read HOW TO START LOW-CARB for beginners. Everything you need to know.
3: Visit the LOW-CARB SHOP for all your cookbooks, meal plans & starter guides.
As seen on:
Ditch The Carbs is the no.1 recipe website in New Zealand and Australia, and ranked 7th in the world.
We now have over 1.5 million followers across all social media channels.
- Flippin Health Podcast - Listen to my story and why I resigned as a pharmacist.
“Libby Jenkinson is a pharmacist turned health promoter – her site Ditchthecarbs.com offers a new way of thinking and eating aimed at families. It’s a runaway success and sheer site visits will astonish you.”
- Diet Doctor: I have written numerous guest articles for Diet Doctor, one of the world's leading low-carb website.
- Huffington Post: You can see my articles here.
- Buzzfeed: You can see my previous articles here.
- Diabetes Mine: My recent interview, bio, my 25-year career as a pharmacist, history of weight loss and gestational diabetes.
- Institute For Responsible Foods: IRN – Founded by Dr Robert Lustig. Read my interview and feature post.
- Good Housekeeping - listed as one of the Top Banting (low-carb) sites in South Africa.
- TalkFeed: - SA Podcast and Website 5 banting Diet resources
- Food 24: Africa’s biggest food website. LCHF- Banting recipes Easter special.
- Keto Summit Podcast: Learn how to start low-carb kids and how to reduce your kid’s sugar intake without a fight.
The importance of whole food nutrition in children’s health and development cannot be stressed enough. All children will benefit from lowering their sugar and carbohydrate intake, especially from processed and junk foods.
Meet The Team
Here at Ditch The Carbs, our mission is to be transparent, independent and trustworthy. We refuse company sponsorship, we refuse sponsored posts, we refuse paid articles to endorse company products.
The amazing team here at Ditch The Carbs is our worldwide family of like-minded people who want to bring health and low-carb nutrition to the world.
Our medical review team ensures content is of the highest standard, they provide a medical review as stated in individual articles. Our medical review team are not paid for their reviews so they may remain independent and unbiased.
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It's good to have you with us!
Let's get started.
Visit the LOW-CARB SHOP for all your cookbooks, meal plans & starter guides.
Sharon
Your website was recommended to us from Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. Our granddaughter has epilepsy and has been put on a Modified Atkins
Diet. The dietician suggested we use your website for some recipes. Thanks for all you do. Difficult to get a 9 year old who hates eggs, beef, etc. but your recipes are helping. Thanks again.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hi Sharon, welcome, I'm so glad you're here. I completely understand having picky kids and hating eggs is a tricky one. Hopefully, these recipes might help. would she eat chaffles? You can flavour them any which way and here is a free cookbook for you to try. 23 sweet and savoury chaffle recipes, she can even learn to make them herself. Other recipes that are very popular in my Kids Group are Fat Head Pizza, tortillas, cheeseburger casserole and mint ice-cream with a sugar-free chocolate magic shell.
Please give your granddaughter a little hug from me and thank your hospital dietician for recommending me. As an ex-paediatric pharmacist, I love to hear that nutrition is being used to help support patient's health 🙂
Sue
Hi I've longed your recipes for years but can't seem to find a favourite anymore. It was a gluten free waffle recipe that used tahini as one of its ingredients. Absolute best recipe!! I've tried searching all sorts but it seems to have vanished! Can you point me in the right direction please?
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
I'm afraid you may be thinking of another recipe website. I don't have that recipe. I have "peanut butter" cookies with tahini or keto waffles which are the most popular keto waffles on the web. Try them both and I am sure you'll love them both.
Anne
Hi Libby,
I plan on trying your slow cooker keto vanilla berry cheesecake but I couldn’t find on the recipe what size springform pan you are using. Can you please let me know?
Thank you
Anne
Amy Lazzaretti
Hello!
I hope you'd help me with this question regarding macros. I received my DNA reports that's related to my health, including weight issues/loss/gain. It says that my body needs 30% protein, 30% carbs and 40% fat (not like the Zone which is reversed for protein/fat) to be able to lose weight slowly and naturally.. Since I'm clueless with macros and how to figure it out and all. Is it possible to have that macros ratio with your system? Also, now do I figure out the percentages? I tried to study it but I'm terrible with math and my eyes went dazed when I read the articles about it. :^(
Thanks! Amy
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hi Amy, those macros aren't low-carb at all. We aim for low-carb, moderate protein and higher healthy fats. I like to keep things simple, otherwise, it feels like we are still on the dieting bandwagon. Lower your daily carbs to under 100g (moderate low-carb), below 50g (low-carb) or below 20g (keto). Keep your protein and serving sizes moderate and use healthy fats to help keep you fuller for longer. Personally, I don't like these new DNA, genetic tests that are coming out. They remind me of the blood type tests in the 90's that made a fortune and helped no one. Stick to real whole food that is lower in carbs and you can't go far wrong 🙂
Bonnie Black
Libby, How manynet carbs do you suggest? I have strated with 20. I have digestive problems and I am hoping this will help. In fact, my doctor suggested low carb. There is SO much out there but I think your website is great! Thanks!! Bonnie
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
That would depend on where you are starting from and your health goals. The general guidance is even lowering your carbs, cutting out all sugar and junk food is beneficial. Typically, <100g carbs/day = moderate low-carb, <50g carbs/day = low-carb, <20g carbs/day = keto. I hope that helps. Good luck, you'll love this way of life ?
Great stuff that you have a low-carb friendly Dr, you're lucky! And thank you for your kind compliments about my website, I am so pleased it is helping you.
Joy
For the waffle. When you list one do you mean one triangle on the waffle iron or the whole waffle. Just made them. Outstanding
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
I'm so glad you loved them, they are my absolute favourite weekend breakfast. The serving size is 1 waffle. Enjoy 🙂
Bob Pritchard
I just got the Low Carb bundle. It's 2 but hard to read as it appears on my Kindle. Can you tell me how to get the docs in the Kindle format? Thanks, Bob
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hi Bob, I'm afraid they are not Kindle books but an eBook PDF. I'm not sure if you're kindle can read those?
Jay Arr
Do a google search, or use your favorite search engine), for "convert pdf to kindle".
There are plenty of ways to do it.
JUST DON"T FORGET TO GET AUTHOR'S PERMISSION TO CONVERT FOR your PRIVATE USE.
Kathy
any chance you can come up with recipes that don't use almond OR coconut flour? I can't eat either, and what a pain that is.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
These are the most common low-carb flours. Which ones can you tolerate and I'll see if I can develop some for you 🙂
kimberlee
I'm curious how much weight did you lose when you started out on low carb and how long did it take?
Nathalie
Hello, first thank you for your books, love them. We are as a family low carb since last june, but it is hard for my daughter who seems to have a hard time digesting erythritol, but would love sweets , especially on events with other teens. Can you please tell me what to use...we use Stevia but it as an after taste...thinking of going to raw local honey..but...thank you for your help.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Awesome question! Read this article Ultimate Guide To Low-Carb Sweeteners. I discuss what I use and what I avoid. I personally don't use honey because it is still sugar, just in another form. There are lots of stevia products coming onto the market which may suit her, or have you tried Monkfruit? It may be a case of trial and error until she finds one that she can tolerate. Stevia comes I drops, concentrated powders and some are mixed with erythritol so they measure spoon for spoon, so make sure you read the ingredients carefully, back they may say stevia, but actually contain both.
Lindsey Louw
HI Libby,
Please could you advise where you get your nutritional information from please.
I would like to line mine up with yours.
Thank you
Lindsey
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Great question. I use cronometer.com as it is the most reliable set of data. I avoid apps such as My Fitness pal or anything which allows "user added" entries which are incredibly inaccurate.
Terry Bowman
Made my 1st fathead pizza today. It was pretty good for a first effort. However, it really only yielded 4 nice pieces. No complaint there at all, just never got that sort of diameter out of it, despite rolling it out quite thin. WAS FILLING, as you had said it would be. 2 pieces and I was done, and that was only my 2nd meal of the day, AND my last. 1st pizza in a year and a half!
Lynda
Hi Libby, I seem to have been following your blog forever! I went fully low carb in 2011 and also blog but more privately. You have done an amazing job with your wonderful recipes and information and I love that you have kept your blog and recipes free. I was interested to read about how you wanted to become qualified in nutrition but had to go down the "low fat" route to get there. I too discovered this back when I was interested in getting some sort of nutritional qualification. I'm not just happy to help others who ask what it is that I do.
Anyway, I just wanted to say how much I love all that you do - from a fellow New Zealander 🙂
Pauline McGee
I think that you are awesome that you post all this information along with all your recipes for free. You have a great website and some fantastic recipes. So a huge thank you from me. Today I have had a cooking day I made Zucchini bread, scotch eggs and almond bread. All your recipes turn out as expected except that I need to cook everything much longer than you . But no complaints I know that I just need to adjust. So a huge thank you
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
What a brilliant low-carb bake off! I'm so pleased all my recipes were successful, albeit with longer cooking times. I wonder if I have a powerful oven? Enjoy you hard work, and yummy creations.
Ian
Hi Libby stumbled across your site when i started my LCHF diet and by far think its the best i have seen, have already bought both your recipe books and loving them.
My only issue os that i've tried to sign up for the newsletter twice now but im still not recieving anything?
If theres anything that can be done that would be great as i would love to get regular updates.
Keep up the good work
Many thanks
Ian
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hi Ian, I can see from my email system that those emails are being delivered to you. Go and check all your folders to see where they have landed, then drag them into your in-box so you can see them regularly. Welcome 🙂
Yilam
Dear Libby,
I have been following your blog for some time now, not yet said hi to you 🙂 HI~~~
And thank you so much for the informative articles and great-tasting recipes!!
I can always refer here when I need something low carb.
I am from Hong Kong and I am a new mom. I have been changing to moderately low carb (or call it carb-conscious) lifestyle for over 1 year, and like it!
Sadly in my city, resources about low carb is unbelievably scarce and I am quite an alien (rice is the soul in Asian diet culture...). So I am very glad to have some reference here!
Love,
Yilam
Sean Daniels
My doctor recommended that I start a low-carb diet, recommended this site to learn more, and said that there are 10 questions that I should honestly answer to determine my starting or set point. I've searched this site and do not see any reference to the 10 questions. What have I missed and can you direct me to the right place? Thanks in advance.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Wow, what a superb doctor you have. Stick with them. They may have been referring to my low carb FAQ page that has a diet sheet also. Also look at all my articles here.
jimej71
Great page! I'm new to this carb conversion life style. Congrats on Googling numero uno all the way in Baltimore, MD. I look forward to being part of this community. My mean doctor seems to think my diabetes and heart disease may have been staved off had I exercised some common sense earlier in life. That being said I'm sure I'm not the only 46 year old with a nasty scar on his chest and a sudden urge to live a wee bit better.
I'll be checking in often and learning from everyone willing to teach me. Keep rocking the info. I'm going to try the calamari tomorrow and blog about it. I'll give this life changer page credit of course.
Thanks.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hey welcome, I'm so glad you have discovered LCHF, and are on this new road to health. Maybe you can convert your doctor into this way of thinking. I'm sure he/she will see your amazing improvement in health and do some sneaky reading/research into this new fangled low-carb approach and realise there is something to it. The science and research is there. They cannot doubt that. P.S. I'm glad my little old kiwi website has winged it's way all the way to Baltimore. 🙂
jimej71
I'm anxious to see my results today. My doctor had me do two test. One on meds and fasting...a week later one with no meds and not fasting. Even had to drink juice. Should be a fun science project to say the least.
jimej71
Ok. My fasting results from two weeks ago were identical to my non fasting no insulin injection results two weeks later. The experiment even had me drinking juice before the test!! Pretty excited to see that a low carb diet could have this drastic of an effect. I even lowered insulin amounts during the two weeks of 80 a day carb dieting. My blood sugar normally hovers in the very high 200's to low 400's. That's because I normally eat a bunch of crap. I have an appointment in October. We shall see if my 120 average exceeds the doctors expectation.
Drachula
Yay! Go for it. No bloody drugs (and I'm a doctor!!)
Donna
Hi Libby. Any ideas for thickening a beef casserole made in the slow cooker? In the old days I would have used cornflour or plain flour. Many thanks
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Great question, I have never found a "like for like" substitute for cornflour. I either use less liquid to begin with so the gravy in the slow cooker is naturally thicker, or I remove some liquid/gravy and heat it on the stove with some cream cheese (not the soft spreadable type, the full fat block). That makes an amazing sauce.
Ann
Hi Libby. I came across a recipe for a sponge cake that uses tiger nut flour. It claims it is gluten free, grain free, and not a nut. Can you shed some wisdom on this particular flour? Thank you,
Ann
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Great question. Tiger nut is grain free but has 63% carbs "It's considered a good flour or additive for the bakery industry , as it's natural sugars contents is really high, avoiding the necessity of adding to much extra sugar (good option for diabetics)" Unfortunately I don't think they comprehend that carbs raise blood sugars as much as sugar does. It is sold as "sweet and gluten free" so the clue is in the name I guess. I would avoid its there are much better alternatives. See this post, my Ultimate Guide To Low Carb Flours.
Mike Smith
To be totally honest, ive been LC for 18 months and the way I eat and cook in simple terms is exactly how my grannie used to, Butter, Lard, Full Fat Milk, Absolutely nothing out of a tin or packet and no sugar, grains, flour, rice, beer, diet food etc. Wine is Fine though (in moderation) and it just works. I live in the UK which means we are all deficient in Vitamin D so I supplement that (5000 IU/Day in winter) along with 1000mg Vitamin C. Feel great - Sleep great and 7 stone lighter without trying too hard
Tonia Collins
looking at granola recipe. any ideas for substitute for coconut flakes?
Katurah
Hi. I love your website! Before I got pregnant I used your site all of the time. I'm curious about the calorie guide on your recipes (now that I'm trying to lose a lot of baby weight, I've been monitoring my calories).
Is the total amount for one of the item made? Could you explain a little please? Thanks!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hi and welcome back. The nutrition is per serving size, so if a recipe states it will serve 6, it is the nutrition for 1/6 of the recipe. There may be a few occasions where it is per item, such as pepperoni meatballs makes 35 meatballs so the serving size is per ball as some may wish to have one or two as a snack.
fleetvanriper
Your anti-wholegrain crusade is nonsense and criminal in its potential harm to people's health you should be exposed for the incompetents you are.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Why? Is there and essential wholegrain I am unaware of perhaps?
Mike Smith
Yer, We demand grains,sugar and carbs. its our right to believe the nutritionists that work impartially for the food corporations. We have the right to spike our insulin and send our blood trigs through the roof. We have the right to make ourselves sick and we have the right to be ignorant and stupid. 🙂
It makes me wonder what that person came here for in the first place libby - Keep up the great work, Ive been LC for 18 months now and never felt better.
Kelly Ackerman McLaughlin
Good afternoon! So excited to find your site! Thank you for all of the amazing information. I'm struggling to find good information on LCHF and fout. My husband has suffered from gout in the past and he is concerned this will cause a flare up for him. Any resources or information that might be helpful? Thank you!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Here are a few resources you may like to read. Gout is caused by raised uric acid levels. This is interesting - "Recent open study of a low-carbohydrate and high-protein diet featuring preferential monounsaturates in the fat component of the diet and tailored for insulin resistance, however, appeared promising for patients with gout." Read further here, here, here and here.
Kelly Ackerman McLaughlin
Thank you!
Elizabeth
Thank your for this amazing website! It's such a comprehensive and helpful resource. I have an autoimmune condition that has gone into remission thanks to me changing to a low carb diet, and I appreciate all the help you provide here for low carbers.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Elizabeth this is such great news. I am so happy my website is helping you in some way. I really want to show everyone making real low-carb food is possible, easy and with a few little simple swaps, achievable. Congratulations on your autoimmune condition going into remission. Sending you a big hug across the internet 🙂
Marilyn
I am so enjoying your recipes. I have recently changed to a low carb keto lifestyle and your recipes have made the transition so smooth. The smaller portion recipes work well for the two of us. Thank you for all of your hard work and for sharing with us.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Marilyn this is so lovely, thank you for being such a kind and considerate reader. x
Kristine
Libby, I thought you might want to know - today I saw an advertisement for Honey Nut Cherrios on your website!! I have a screen shot if you want to see...
Thank You for all you do!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Uhhhhh, thank you for letting me know. As much as I report them, they sneak on in. I'll get onto it.
Stef
Hi Libby
Like you I live in NZ, wonder what brand of sausages you buy, most brands I see have the wrong carbs in?
Many thanks
Stef
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hi Stef, how lovely to meet a kiwi here. Sausages can be a pain to find the prefect one so I just find the best I can. I first of all choose the ones that are 85% or above meat, and have less than 2% carbs. This indicates it has the least amount of fillers possible. Yes they may have a little wheat or rice starch in there, but if it is only 1% then I'm not going to reject them. The pre cooked variety and value packs I wouldn't touch at all, they can be up to 25% carbs which indicates all manner of rubbish is in there. Do the best you can with what is local and handy. I also refuse to buy beef 'flavoured' or pork 'flavoured' sausages. There are some great butchers out there that make amazing sausages. Seaview meats in Milford are amazing. Buy in bulk and stock up the freezer.
Kate Matthews
Hi Libby. Just wanted to say how much I love your site and how useful it has been to me this year. I am an active 73 year old diagnosed early this year with Diabetes 2. Thanks to low carb and your site in particular I am now 3 1/2 stone lighter and in remission. I love the humour and the simple, clear recipes. Now looking to make the Christmas cake and gingerbread men. Thank you. Happy Christmas. Kate
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hi Kate, this is so lovely to read and I am thrilled to have helped you in your journey to stabilising your T2 diabetes and a weight loss of 3.5 stone. Congratulations, that is absolutely fantastic. I wish I could get more of my patients at work (I'm a pharmacist) to give low carb a try, as you know, it is more powerful and has less side effects than the drugs I dispense. I'm glad you like my humour and easy instructions, life has to be easy and fun huh? Maybe I should write more posts once I've had a glass of wine - maybe not, I might get in a lot of trouble for what I might say 😉 Happy Christmas to you and your family, Libby x