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Weirdness with a moderate carbohydrate decrease?

girlviernes
girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
edited October 2014 in Food and Nutrition
Hey, I'm feeling somewhat light headed past couple of days, and I've been a bit hungrier than usual. I was previously eating 150-200g of carb per day, now eating closer to 100-150g per day. I'm wondering if that could be the cause?

Replies

  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    Well one way to find out, up the carbs and lower protein/fat and see how you feel!

    Although ime more carbs can lead to more hunger if my meals aren't well balanced (evening seems to be fine when it's carb-heavy thouhg). Is your macro balance off as well maybe?

    Or do you normally get carbs from fruits and veggies? Maybe you are getting a bit dehydrated if you don't monitor drinking.

    Or sodium intake? I see you have had some high sodium days. This can give me headaches if I am not drinking enough water.
  • GenesiaElizabeth
    GenesiaElizabeth Posts: 227 Member
    girlviernes wrote: »
    Hey, I'm feeling somewhat light headed past couple of days, and I've been a bit hungrier than usual. I was previously eating 150-200g of carb per day, now eating closer to 100-150g per day. I'm wondering if that could be the cause?

    Possibly. We go through "withdrawal" type symptoms when we give up carbs at first. Give it a few days and you will be fine. You may need a few more calories (haven't seen your diary) but if you do, try to avoid getting them from carbs.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    girlviernes wrote: »
    Hey, I'm feeling somewhat light headed past couple of days, and I've been a bit hungrier than usual. I was previously eating 150-200g of carb per day, now eating closer to 100-150g per day. I'm wondering if that could be the cause?

    In my case it was due to my sugar addiction I am sure. It got worse when I went below 50 grams of carbs a day until I adapted to not living a sugar/carb diet I guess. Now I typically feel good if I do not load up on sugar.

  • giggitygoo
    giggitygoo Posts: 1,978 Member
    edited October 2014
    ** nevermind :)
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    I'll give it a few more days. I think my intake is fairly balanced. Yes, high on the sodium, but I do hydrate well. I might have some strawberries now. I've cut back on fruits but not on purpose.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    That doesn't seem like a drastic cut and shouldn't affect your blood sugar levels so it might possibly be unrelated.
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    Yes, I guess I'll start by getting a good night's sleep and see how I feel tomorrow.
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    girlviernes wrote: »
    Yes, I guess I'll start by getting a good night's sleep and see how I feel tomorrow.

    good night sleep and I do suggest just monitoring water intake. Even just going a bit over my normal amount of sodium can really increase my water needs. And I tend to be hungry when dehydrated. I've dropped from like 200g to ~130g for carbs before, not on purpose, and didn't have any issues. It's always been water-related for me!
  • corgicake
    corgicake Posts: 846 Member
    There's two halves to that equation. If you exercise, you run out of carbs and bring on the weirdness faster.
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    good point, does that mean I should eat more carbs on active days?

    ana - well I'm generally drinking water all day long, although perhaps not enough when out dancing.

    Ended up carbing it up today after all to run through some leftovers. Did feel a bit better.
  • crisb2
    crisb2 Posts: 329 Member
    GenesiaElizabeth wrote: »
    girlviernes wrote: »
    Hey, I'm feeling somewhat light headed past couple of days, and I've been a bit hungrier than usual. I was previously eating 150-200g of carb per day, now eating closer to 100-150g per day. I'm wondering if that could be the cause?

    Possibly. We go through "withdrawal" type symptoms when we give up carbs at first. Give it a few days and you will be fine. You may need a few more calories (haven't seen your diary) but if you do, try to avoid getting them from carbs.

    +1
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    girlviernes wrote: »
    good point, does that mean I should eat more carbs on active days?

    ana - well I'm generally drinking water all day long, although perhaps not enough when out dancing.

    Ended up carbing it up today after all to run through some leftovers. Did feel a bit better.

    Glad the extra carbs helped. I actually just lowered my protein goal to help up my carb goal to see if it helps with mood, and especially gym performance (lifting). Also decided to try and schedule a day once a week where I basically do a refeed without eating at maintenance, instead just eating really high carb and hitting protein needs. If I don't like it this Sunday I'll never do it again lol
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    It's kind of fun to do some self-experimentation. I'd love to hear your conclusions :)

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