Atkins and or low carb supplements in the UK

Does anyone know if there are any shops in the UK that sell low-carb drinks or similar items? Not necessarily Atkins; I don't care about the brand?

All they have in Boots and Superdrug is Slimfast, which has sugar as the second or third ingredient. (I know there used to be a low-carb Slimfast in the US, but I've never seen it here.)

I'm trying to increase the amount of protein that I eat throughout the day, but I don't want to add carbs.

Nuts cause me digestive problems if I eat more than a small amount of them, so I can't rely on them.

I'm looking for something that does not have sugar or glucose syrup or anything similar anywhere in the ingredients list.

Holland and Barret sell sugar-free whey protein.  You have to mix it into stuff or make shakes with it.

Body Fortress was the brand I tried when I was vegetarian and trying to up my protein, and it's not bad.  Not yummy, but not bad either.  If you were closer, I'd give you what I had left over to try.

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=100&prodid=565

That's what I used.  A word of warning about Atkins and other low carb shakes is the sugar alcohols.  I know you're a diabetic, so you've probably used them in the past, but Atkins products tend to rely heavily on them.  They can cause gastro-intestinal problems in people.

Sugar-free protein mixes (you can get egg white protein, whey, and soy), either are plain or can use sucralose. In the States some of them have stevia, but that's banned in the EU at the moment.

There are lots of body-building and "sports nutrition" type shops in the UK that sell these whey protein powder products. They are not for everybody. 

Some info on dangers

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/whey-protein-dangers.html

That article should be taken with a grain of salt.  It's theoretical that proteins cause kidney problems, but in a diet relatively low in sugars and starches, it has been shown that there is no cause for concern.  Body building advice should always be taken with a grain of salt as they all have their own agenda and myths and misinformation is spread freely, if not encouraged by competing theories, gurus, and products.

What is more of a concern is the recent findings in the US (I think it was in Consumer Reports) that all concentrated supplements may have high levels of heavy metals.  This would mean things like Slimfast and Atkins shakes would probably of a concern as well.

One theory for the heavy metal levels is that it's usually very concentrated forms of the protein, so it has concentrated amounts of any contaminant that source might have.

ETA:
http://www.charlespoliquin.com/ArticlesMultimedia/Articles/article.aspx?ID=253

At least this guy sites studies.  "Ketosis of the liver"? ? ?  First of all, ketosis is not something anyone has to worry about unless they go under a certain amount of carbs a day.  And ketosis is also  nothing to worry about if you go into ketosis.  Ketones are the by product of an alternative form of producing energy for your body where proteins are converted into sugars.  Ketoacidosis is something different, and most people, including diabetics if they are monitoring their diabetes properly, don't have to worry about it either.

BTW, I am sitting here in ketosis at the moment, and I've spent a good portion of the past 3 years in it.

Although this is mainly about low carb, ketogenic diets rather than just a high protein one, the myth about bone loss was busted a long time ago:

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/faq/f/lowcarbboneloss.htm

Our bones are made of protein.  We might excrete more calcium on a low carb or high protein diet, but it doesn't appear to lead to bone loss.

One thing I did forget, sweetpeach, you do want to be careful going too high on your protein.  If you are a diabetic (and correct me if I am remembering wrong about that), diets too high in protein or without adequate fats can lead to excess sugar production.

I don't know if this only happens during ketosis, so you might not have to worry about it, but when you up your protein, I'd keep an eye on blood sugar levels for the next few days. 

Thanks everyone.

I used.  A word of warning about Atkins and other low carb shakes is the sugar alcohols.  I know you're a diabetic, so you've probably used them in the past, but Atkins products tend to rely heavily on them.

Where you referring to me? I'm not diabetic.

ETA - To clarify, I have been doing more strength training and I am trying to build up more lean muscle mass and be more toned. I am hungry more often, which is expected, and I know that I need to eat more protein. I want to be able to eat convenient protein-rich foods throughout the day without adding extra carbs.

Okay.  I must be misremembering a post of yours.  The protein shakes do take a little getting used to, and supposedly they are really good with coconut milk.  That's a good option to boost your fat as well.  Don't go too low in fat if you're cutting carbs or you risk rabbit starvation, especially if you're exercising a lot.

Some other ideas for portable protein are:

Hard boiled eggs
Hard cheese
Celery spread with soft cheese (can't be out too long)
pemmican if you can find it (or make it) (not veg of course)
Jerky (not veg of course)
Meat or low carb Quorn deli slices (some are higher carb than others).  Of course, these need to be chilled)
Fage (unsweetened) with Splenda.  If you can afford the carbs, you can add berries.  Slightly higher carb allowance would allow for melon.

Also, cashews and peanuts aren't nuts.  If they bother your stomach you could try real nuts or vice versa.

Good luck.  I am going to be doing strength training soon.  I am sort of looking forward to it as I enjoyed it in the past.

pemmican if you can find it (or make it) (not veg of course)
Jerky (not veg of course)

Air/sun dried beef? I have seen American beef jerky in Tesco but also it is sold as "Biltong" from South Africa; it is in most supermarkets, certainly Sainsbury's.#

Pemmican isn't the same thing as jerky or biltong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemmican

Sometimes cherries or berries are added to the fat and meat.  The biltong I've had here is very lean and can't be considered pemmican.

Pemmican isn't the same thing as jerky or biltong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemmican

Sometimes cherries or berries are added to the fat and meat.  The biltong I've had here is very lean and can't be considered pemmican.

I agree. I much prefer pemmican. Biltong is similar to beef jerky in that they are both spiced, dried meats, but differ in their typical ingredients, taste and production process

Thanks. I will try the powdered drinks from Holland and Barrett. I just have to find something to put them in so I can transport them to work. That's why I was hoping for an Atkins style drink that already comes in a flip-top can.

I try to avoid pre-packaged deli meats and jerky because they usually have sugar and sodium nitrite added.

I can only digest a limited amount of cheese. I know that protein shakes can have added whey protein or lactose, but they don't bother me as much as cheese.

I have had Atkins shakes before and I normally don't eat a lot of carbs, so I'm not switching to a low carb diet, I'm just trying to eat more.

Thanks. I will try the powdered drinks from Holland and Barrett. I just have to find something to put them in so I can transport them to work. That's why I was hoping for an Atkins style drink that already comes in a flip-top can.

I try to avoid pre-packaged deli meats and jerky because they usually have sugar and sodium nitrite added.

I can only digest a limited amount of cheese. I know that protein shakes can have added whey protein or lactose, but they don't bother me as much as cheese.

I have had Atkins shakes before and I normally don't eat a lot of carbs, so I'm not switching to a low carb diet, I'm just trying to eat more.

They sell the atkins flip top shakes in my Boots.

This kind : http://www.boots.com/en/Atkins-Advantage-Milk-Chocolate-325ml-Shake_1051871/

I have had them occasionally.

Also, they sell a variety of high protein juices and shakes here  : http://www.lowcarbmegastore.com/

Thanks. I will try to have a look in a larger Boots.

Thanks. I will try to have a look in a larger Boots.

They're not in the chiller cabinet, they're with the "diabetic and other" food supplements I believe.