Side effects of eating (mostly) clean?

Chewitz

I get anxiety

It has never been related to food

Perhaps talk to your doctor about your anxiety

lemurcat12

mizzlarabee wrote: »

cosmicpixie wrote: »

I've been trying to eat mostly clean - with all foods made from ingredients and not packaged where possible for almost two weeks. I've found that I'm almost getting "anxiety" attacks with heart racing occasionally - I've looked online and have seen that as I am sort of "detoxing" that things like this, headaches etc. can happen. I never had this particular side effect when I've cut out sugar before. Has this happened to anyone else? If so, did it eventually even out?
I'm worried that with all my fruit and veg, though I'm eating healthier, there are other things I'm having sugar with that perahps I should cut down on? I know it's not perfect but one step at a time!

I think the problem here is you are overthinking it and reading into too much hype on the Internet, which is probably the more likely cause of your anxiety. Take it one day at a time. Your body has a homeostasis, in that it adjusts based on whatever you put into it, so if you change anything that your body is used to getting, it will respond with certain symptoms. There is also a behavioural element to change -- you are changing your behaviours and that can affect how you feel as well. Avoid compartmentalizing your foods into categories (clean, good, bad etc), as they can be attached to emotion and cause anxiety. Instead, focus on getting the majority of your diet from nutrient-dense sources and don't agonize over the process.

This sounds right to me.

Unknown

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diannethegeek

TR0berts wrote: »

It could be a number of things. First things first, though - how many Calories are you currently eating? How many were you eating previously? How has your activity level (including exercise) changed? I ask because doing too much, too soon, often causes people to crash/bonk/whatever-you-want-to-call-it. It may be as simple as that, or it could be something else. Often, it's the simplest answer(s) that tend to be correct.

^This was my first thought as well. My anxiety jumps sky high if I drop my calories too low. Anything below 1400 calories for a prolonged period of time and I'm a mess.

auroranflash

Don't give too much heed to the idea of 'clean' foods. There are too many so-called professionals out there who will tell you some foods are good and some are bad. While it's best to eat fruits, vegetables, and minimally-processed foods, everything in moderation is fine and can actually help you adhere to a long-term eating plan, rather than restricting and causing you to binge at some point because your willpower over time gets weak and no one can constantly say no to delicious things. No need to feel guilty about it, just keep track and try to feed yourself quality food.

Side Note: Do not ever listen to anything Food Babe says - ever. She is bonkers. That also goes for any extremist wanna-be food pro telling you certain foods are evil, dirty, or toxic. Odds are they are hocking supplements and making money off of making people afraid of food.

As for your symptoms, if they persist, do go to a doctor. If caffeine or alcohol isn't at play (as far as increasing/decreasing regular exposure), then you shouldn't have extreme fluctuations just because you're eating more fruits and veggies. It may be temporary or even due to some stress in your life maybe you're not realizing. I do hope you figure it all out. Take care.

JoRocka

Michael190lbs wrote: »

I read the labels on everything if I can't pronounce the first 5 things I don't buy it- Congrats

wait so your lack of education is dictating your eating patterns? That doesn't even make any sense.


OP- you may just be overly restricting certain things. Double check your macros- double check your calorie counts. If you really are having a serious physical side effects seeing a doctor might be in order.

777luna2014

Michael190lbs wrote: »

I read the labels on everything if I can't pronounce the first 5 things I don't buy it- Congrats

coreyreichle

cosmicpixie wrote: »

Thanks to all the people who have left really helpful comments - I really appreciate your time.
To those that have just come here to *kitten* and moan at me and my question (which I feel is perfectly valid) - keep on walking thank you.

What you fail to realize, are the snarky comments are the ones that are truly helpful.

Stop trying to set all sorts of rules to weight loss. There's only one rule: Calories in < Calories out to lose weight. To maintain proper nutrition, make sure the CI part of the equation fits your macros.

The headaches and anxiety aren't from "detoxing". Your body detoxes all day, every day, 24 hours a day, irrespective of what you eat. They are likely from too low of calories, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, or nutrient deficiency. Or, just anxiety, a mental health issue.

defectivelemon

I understand exactly what you're taking about. I too get that feeling sometimes... The tightening of the chest, anxious, change in breathing, ultra alertness, often panicky... It's all very uncomfortable and unpleasant. I haven't quite pinpointed what triggers it, but it comes a certain time after eating. I've also found that I can bring on something similar with caffeine, when I drink too much green tea. Food is definitely a factor for me though, so I wish you the best of luck with your tinkering. Let me know if you figure it out!

jgnatca

My heart races sometimes but it's related to my heading in to menopause. There could be multiple causes and it might be worthwhile to rule some of them out with some blood tests.

miriamtob

Make sure you are getting enough good fats and calcium in your diet. Both are calming to the nervous system. Both chamomile and oat straw tea are high in calcium and they are nervines.

cosmicpixie

Thanks again for all the helpful responses - there's a lot of useful information so thank you.

It wasn't that other ones were not "responses I agreed with." More that I found them to be rude/sarcastic in their responses. I thought that the community section on here was a place where people would support one another and not be mean. This isn't high school after all!

mizzlarabee

cosmicpixie wrote: »

Thanks again for all the helpful responses - there's a lot of useful information so thank you.

It wasn't that other ones were not "responses I agreed with." More that I found them to be rude/sarcastic in their responses. I thought that the community section on here was a place where people would support one another and not be mean. This isn't high school after all!

Oh, but it is haha...

Glad you found some help in all of this!

WinoGelato

cosmicpixie wrote: »

Thanks again for all the helpful responses - there's a lot of useful information so thank you.

It wasn't that other ones were not "responses I agreed with." More that I found them to be rude/sarcastic in their responses. I thought that the community section on here was a place where people would support one another and not be mean. This isn't high school after all!

First, it is a helpful community. Just because you don't care for the wording in a post, doesn't make it unhelpful. Try not to read tone in a message that isn't there. Second, I read back through the responses, and I really don't see a lot of sarcasm, definitely none that were "rude'. Telling you that your body does the detoxing for you, that sugar is not something that needs to be demonized, is not rude.

DaneanP

Thick skin is needed on the internet. Words on a screen do not convey tone. Blunt or concise may come across as rude when nothing rude was intended by the writer. Take a deep breath and pay attention to what the content of the posts are saying, not your perceived tone of the writer. Good luck.