How to cope with sugar/bad food withdrawal symptoms?

tomatoey

nvmomketo wrote: »

That was how I felt when my blood glucose went low: reactive hypoglycaemia. Once I started a ketogenic diet, it took a few days but those symptoms went away because I was no longer relying on glucose as my main fuel.

A lower carb diet will help with reactive hypoglycemia. Pairing protein with carbs helps too. Using a glucose meter can tell you if it is indeed low BG.

Good luck.

Sorry to derail, just wanted to say thanks for this. I've had this problem all my life - to the point where family and friends knew to not keep me away from food for too long - but didn't know about reactive hypoglycemia. At some point I understood it was somehow related to blood sugar, but didn't think I had any major issues because regular blood tests said I was fine - looks like a special test would need to be done for this? I just couldn't understand why other people didn't get headaches or feel jittery or horrible in the same way. Wikipedia says hereditary fructose intolerance could be involved - I do have IBS, and have identified many fruits as major triggers. And, I do better overall in terms of well being (and satiety) with moderate to lowish carb (compared to SAD). A curiosity (possibly) solved! Will ask doc about it. Thanks, anyway

Ky_007

You literally just described my daily life!

Blueseraphchaos

nvmomketo wrote: »

That was how I felt when my blood glucose went low: reactive hypoglycaemia. Once I started a ketogenic diet, it took a few days but those symptoms went away because I was no longer relying on glucose as my main fuel.

A lower carb diet will help with reactive hypoglycemia. Pairing protein with carbs helps too. Using a glucose meter can tell you if it is indeed low BG.

Good luck.

I actually forgot i used to suffer from this when i was at a normal weight (before i got fat, lol)

This is also a possibility

shantal_96

Thanks heaps you guys

Francl27

shantal_96 wrote: »

And I think it may be caffeine withdrawal actually I've cut out soft drink, but I have done it gradually so idk

That's the worst. Get some tea!

Wiseandcurious

For a perspective, when I started I was 108.9 kg and I am twice your age, but a bit taller (165 cm). I lost fairly fast on 1700 cals a day or thereabouts. 1350 might be too low for your weight, even being shorter.

This site has a deçent TDEE calculator - I suspect you could probably eat around 1600 and still lose at a deçent rate (I am assuming you are not exercising and eating back exercise calories, just being sedentary).

nvmomketo

tomatoey wrote: »

nvmomketo wrote: »

That was how I felt when my blood glucose went low: reactive hypoglycaemia. Once I started a ketogenic diet, it took a few days but those symptoms went away because I was no longer relying on glucose as my main fuel.

A lower carb diet will help with reactive hypoglycemia. Pairing protein with carbs helps too. Using a glucose meter can tell you if it is indeed low BG.

Good luck.

Sorry to derail, just wanted to say thanks for this. I've had this problem all my life - to the point where family and friends knew to not keep me away from food for too long - but didn't know about reactive hypoglycemia. At some point I understood it was somehow related to blood sugar, but didn't think I had any major issues because regular blood tests said I was fine - looks like a special test would need to be done for this? I just couldn't understand why other people didn't get headaches or feel jittery or horrible in the same way. Wikipedia says hereditary fructose intolerance could be involved - I do have IBS, and have identified many fruits as major triggers. And, I do better overall in terms of well being (and satiety) with moderate to lowish carb (compared to SAD). A curiosity (possibly) solved! Will ask doc about it. Thanks, anyway

The "official" way to test for this is an oral glucose tolerance test but it is rarely done because you need to sit in the doctor's office or lab for over two hours. If you have a glucose monitor you can sort of copy the test somewhat, especially if you ingest just glucose for testing.
Good luck.

d_thomas02

OP, where did you get 1350 cals as a goal?

According to my calculations using the stats you've given, you should not be eating less than 1900 cals at this point in your journey (probably closer to 2100).

cwagar123

kshama2001 wrote: »

shantal_96 wrote: »

I weight 108kg, I'm 19, 160cm tall. My goal weight is 65kg MAX
I've cut back (tried to anyway) to 1350 calories per day.

Hopefully thats enough info

In case anyone else not on metric was wondering, this is 238 pounds and 5'2".

Hello
I think the cal goal is low... I am 5'3 and 198lbs... Mygoal is 1500. At 240 my goal was higher... At that rate i am losing 0.5-1 lb per week.

Rabidrunner

kshama2001 wrote: »

shantal_96 wrote: »

I weight 108kg, I'm 19, 160cm tall. My goal weight is 65kg MAX
I've cut back (tried to anyway) to 1350 calories per day.

Hopefully thats enough info

In case anyone else not on metric was wondering, this is 238 pounds and 5'2".

ukrgajka

eating a piece of fruit + exercising helps me

Um12tlwr

Sugar is very addictive and your body can become use to high levels of sugar quickly, it sounds like your experiencing a mild hypoglycaemia.
If you go sort of 'cold turkey' from high sugar foods, your symptoms will probably ebb within a few days.
Slow-release carbs such as porridge etc. should help normalise your blood sugars a bit more, with some added protein to help you feel full, and vegetables for some nutrients, you should be golden.
Good luck!

Mezzie1024

It sounds like you've cut down to way too few calories for your current height and weight. I'd be hungry eating that little, and I weigh over a hundred pounds less than you (assuming the conversion to pounds on the earlier post is accurate -- thanks for that). It's not that you're having withdrawal from "bad" foods -- you just aren't getting enough food period. I'd suggest absolutely no fewer than 1800* calories/day to lose about a pound/week. There's no point in restricting yourself so much that you can't be successful; slow down a little and enjoy life while you lose.

*Personally I'd do about 2000 because I like slow, steady, painless loss, but 1800 is way better than 1350!

Sued0nim

Um12tlwr wrote: »

Sugar is very addictive and your body can become use to high levels of sugar quickly, it sounds like your experiencing a mild hypoglycaemia.
If you go sort of 'cold turkey' from high sugar foods, your symptoms will probably ebb within a few days.
Slow-release carbs such as porridge etc. should help normalise your blood sugars a bit more, with some added protein to help you feel full, and vegetables for some nutrients, you should be golden.
Good luck!

Alternatively, and more accurately, highly palatable foods are just really tasty ...hence the name ...and we really like to reward ourselves or give in to our likes. Hypoglycaemia on the other hand is a symptom of medical conditions like diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, alcoholism, endocrine problems or eating disorders etc so diagnosis by a RL medical team is important

Few people gorge themselves on fruits (fructose) or milk (lactose) or even a bag of granulated sugar rather what we really like to do is satisfy our taste buds with things we enjoy so sugar and fats in form of cakes, cookies, chocolate etc

If you eliminate them your cravings can diminish

If you concentrate on highly nutritious foods and your calories and moderate them your cravings can diminish

riaward1990

Finding all of this info really helpful. I'm getting headaches but I know it's from stopping caffeine and refined sugar. I was definitely addicted to the sugar high and relyed on frequent sugary snacks to get me through my working day.

Just wondering if anyone here has pernicious anemia / B12 injections. Any advice on if/how it can effect diet and exercise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Wiseandcurious

riaward1990 wrote: »

Finding all of this info really helpful. I'm getting headaches but I know it's from stopping caffeine and refined sugar. I was definitely addicted to the sugar high and relyed on frequent sugary snacks to get me through my working day.

Just wondering if anyone here has pernicious anemia / B12 injections. Any advice on if/how it can effect diet and exercise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

This is absolutely a question for your doctor and not something to rely on internet forums for! Until you can ask them, don't put your health in danger by starting any unaproved diet plan or calorie reduction!

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comm1t_1984

I had horrible withdraws... Make sure that you speak to a doc or a nutritionist if it keeps up. Sugar is a horrible drug...some compare it to cocaine. Also make sure that you're not cutting out all sugar. Natural sugars and some sugars are okay. You're body will need it or you may end up having low blood sugar and that isn't good.

davert123

Have a look at a site called Radiant Recovery. This will help you. For me - up protein considerably and take 5-HTP. The important thing for me is that once I am off I don't start again :-) A little primes the system and it can lead you back to square one. Withdrawl for me usually lasts 2-3 days with day 2 the hardest to get though without eating more. After day 3 things seem to clear up for me. Good luck.

riaward1990

[/quote]

This is absolutely a question for your doctor and not something to rely on internet forums for! Until you can ask them, don't put your health in danger by starting any unaproved diet plan or calorie reduction!
[/quote]

Thanks. After a quick chat they confirmed that while lack of B12 can cause the usual tiredness and brain fog, it doesn't effect metabolism/liver/kidneys and since my stomach can't absorb any B12 anyway, I don't have to worry about levels in my diet.

Good news is the withdrawal symptoms have gone. I do have a small bit of 85% chocolate incase of cravings but so far I haven't needed it.

vivmom2014

comm1t_1984 wrote: »

I had horrible withdraws... Make sure that you speak to a doc or a nutritionist if it keeps up. Sugar is a horrible drug...some compare it to cocaine. Also make sure that you're not cutting out all sugar. Natural sugars and some sugars are okay. You're body will need it or you may end up having low blood sugar and that isn't good.

Sugar is not a drug.

Carlos_421

shantal_96 wrote: »

Can anybody please give me some advice for overcoming withdrawal symptoms? Every time I try to eat healthy, I end up pigging out around dinner time because I get so shaky, bad headaches and I get so emotional my life is this never ending cycle of trying to eat healthy and failing and I'm just starting to get so depressed and I feel like I'm never going to succeed

If "eating healthy" gives you the shakes and a headache you're doing it wrong.

You may be confusing "healthy" with "not enough." Try eating in moderation, logging calories and having treats that fit within your calorie goals.

Wiseandcurious

riaward1990 wrote: »

This is absolutely a question for your doctor and not something to rely on internet forums for! Until you can ask them, don't put your health in danger by starting any unaproved diet plan or calorie reduction!

Thanks. After a quick chat they confirmed that while lack of B12 can cause the usual tiredness and brain fog, it doesn't effect metabolism/liver/kidneys and since my stomach can't absorb any B12 anyway, I don't have to worry about levels in my diet.

Good news is the withdrawal symptoms have gone. I do have a small bit of 85% chocolate incase of cravings but so far I haven't needed it.

Tiredness and brain fog sound like something that can work together with the effects of hypoglecemia and undereating in a bad way, even if the causes are unrelated. Good thinking for the chocolate, and try not to be too agressive in your goals and have a balanced nutrition! Slow and steady wins the day.