Low Carb Struggles
Dani_Cali_Carolina
Posts: 31 Member
I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
3
Replies
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have you gone low carb for a specific medical reason?6
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Not even going to touch any of your points except for #1...Why are you doing low carb to begin with? Sounds like its possible your like me and carbs are what your body is satisfied eating12
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How many calories are you eating per day? How are you measuring intake - are you weighing your food?5
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This has been my exact experience with low carb as well. It appears this way of eating is not for you. It's best to find a way that helps you achieve a deficit while eating foods that usually satisfy you (starchy carbs in my case). One note: are you doing 1200 calories? Many people would be hungry on that no matter how they eat. If so, consider increasing your calorie intake.
ETA: as for the other stuff, going too low on carbs can increase cortisol which wreaks havoc with hormones and gastro function. It appears you are extra sensitive to that. I know I am. Do you have cortisol type PCOS by any chance?11 -
I too am more satisfied eating a higher amount of carbs and lose better due to feeling more satisfied and having more energy to exercise some. I’ve done low carb several times because of all the hype I assume that I may have done it wrong or didn’t stick with it long enough to get the desired results. Turns out that I just do better mentally, physically, energy levels etc on a higher amount of carbs:)14
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Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
Low carb might no be for you, but before you throw in the towel I suggest increasing sodium for a couple of days and see if that helps. One needs 3000-5000mg of sodium a day (there is 2300mg of sodium in a teaspoon of salt). When you lower carbs you lose electrolytes and that sometimes shows itself as hunger or low energy, creates stomach issues and headaches, and eventually causes muscle aches and spasms. I've seen more than a few low carbers whose cravings disappeared once they addressed their low electrolytes. Try a teaspoon of salt with water, some salty broth or salt tablets.Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
That is quite possibly a low electrolyte issue again. Get more salt. Possibly some potassium and magnesium too (those go low after a few days of too low sodium).
It could also be too much fat (mainly coconut oil) too fast. Too much at first can cause the runs.Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
That is not that uncommon. Hormone issues and periods may seem a bit off for a month or so. My cycle was shorter for a couple of months but is not even more regular (I used to vary by over a week). You may want to give it another month.
BUT, spotting could be a sign of cervical dysplasia. If it continues you should probably get it checked - get your PAP a bit early. Better safe than sorry.
Spotting can also be a sign of low platelets or thrombocytopenia. If your gums are bleeding, or you are bruising easily, see a doctor for a CBC (platelet) check.
So, salt, salt salt. Don't drink too much or you'll flush even more electrolytes out. And I would keep an eye on the spotting. If it does not stop before Xmas, maybe see a doctor. Good luck!
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I tried low carb too..and never felt totally satisfied.
Wasn't from lack of veggies or food...but starches. Bread, potatoes etc. I would have killed for a saltine.
maybe it's not for you....
try just staying in a deficit.9 -
You don't have to go low carb to lose weight. Have you considered that perhaps it's not the best option for your body?7
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<-- I am another who is not satiated by fats. I need a lot of volume and mostly from starches and lean proteins.7
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Idk. But I would call your gynocologist asap and explain the above to her. Spotting in nothing to ignore. Hugs1
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What do your macros look like, particularly fat?
I don't know what your gastro issues are, but when i low carbed i had bad constipation. I had to take psyllium husk powder and magnesium capsules every day.3 -
Research the Ketogenic diet. It could help.17
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Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
Please research the Ketogenic Diet. Go on ruledme.com and you have all the information you need on that website. Then go one Facebook and look up the groups that deal with eating keto as a way of life. You will be amazed at the concept and how well it works. Don’t be afraid of the concept of eating fat and remaining low carbs. 20 carbs a day max and you will learn the rest. Good luck!16 -
aburrison1 wrote: »Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
Please research the Ketogenic Diet. Go on ruledme.com and you have all the information you need on that website. Then go one Facebook and look up the groups that deal with eating keto as a way of life. You will be amazed at the concept and how well it works. Don’t be afraid of the concept of eating fat and remaining low carbs. 20 carbs a day max and you will learn the rest. Good luck!
Or just accept that this is not the weight loss plan for you. If fats do not satiate you but fibre, starch etc does, and there is no medical reason to be low carb then sticking with this way of eating is unstatainable.
Never go on a diet that you can not stick with for the rest of your life because you will be part of the 80% that gains back all of your weight or even more once you reach your target weight.18 -
aburrison1 wrote: »Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
Please research the Ketogenic Diet. Go on ruledme.com and you have all the information you need on that website. Then go one Facebook and look up the groups that deal with eating keto as a way of life. You will be amazed at the concept and how well it works. Don’t be afraid of the concept of eating fat and remaining low carbs. 20 carbs a day max and you will learn the rest. Good luck!
With the constant media buzz lately, it's unlikely many people are afraid of fat. I tapered down my fat intake significantly, but it was out of choice not fear. I find fat too calorific for what it provides me, so I only eat amounts that satisfy my physical/taste needs, which is much lower than I used to eat. Not everybody does well on a high fat low carb diet. The concept works well for those who it works well for, just like any other concept or macro distribution. There is nothing wrong with personalizing your diet to fit your needs, in fact it tends to be superior in terms of long term success.13 -
Person says they struggle to feel satisfied on low carb, people recommend even lower. Just...38
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I ate an entire frozen pizza for breakfast this morning (about 900 cals) in order to fuel my workout (2 hour double workout heavy weights plus outdoor cardio), sooooo I’m obviously pro-carb biased. But seriously, if you’re feeling like crap eating low carb just stop and eat some dang carbs. Weightloss is all about the calories anyway.
Your macros should make your life EASIER not harder.
*And yes, I kept my calorie deficit.26 -
I've been eatig whole foods, including carbs and have loss 31 lbs. Since July. I have done lo carb in the past and kept it off for 6 years (not calories counting). Now I am able to eat carbs and still lose weight by staying in deficit by logging on mfp. I usually do not buy bread but I regularly eat white rice and potatoes. I also eat chocolate and fruit. Many people doing the lo carb diet would not be able to eat these things.
I feel most sated with a MIX of carbs, fats and protein rather than carbs alone or protein alone.
There is nothing generally wrong with carbs. If that were so every vegan or vegetarian would be fat and that is not the case. If the lo carb is not working for you tighten up your logging, eat more carbs but just stay in deficit.
Also, OP consider the long term. Are you going to enjoy this eating lo carb for the rest of your life? FWIW I don't remember having any serious issues when I ate lo carb. I was not extreme doing keto though. I also wasn't tracking anything so I do not know how many carbs I was consuming-- I just didn't eat bread, pasta, potatoes, rice or sweets. (I eat all of them now).6 -
Just be in calorie deficit.... Eat carbs 3
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Nony_Mouse wrote: »Person says they struggle to feel satisfied on low carb, people recommend even lower. Just...
It's really remarkable.
Here's a post that I like, from someone who is actually an advocate of low carb, about that kind of thing:
http://caloriesproper.com/keto-myths-facts/5 -
Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
It looks like you've gotten tons of anti-low carb advice, and if you think abandoning that is appropriate for you, then so be it. But what I'm guessing it that you've tried many methods, Low Cal, Low Fat, etc. So here's another perspective. The calorie hypothesis was just that, a hypothesis (the whole 3500 cals per pound thing). It has actually been proven many times over that there is no correlation to the number of calories to weight loss. Look up Zoe Harcombe. She has run several studies on this and has amazing insight. Also, low fat has been proven many times over as harmful. Every one of our cells are coated in myelin which is primarily made of fats and our brains are over half fat. You have to add ESSENTIAL fat to your diet in order to have healthy cells and a healthy brain. (There are plenty of studies on PubMed about it, here's one to get you started.)
So all that said, what is right then? Well, like anything else there is no one size fits all for anyone. You need to play with your diet until you are feeling satisfied AND getting the results you want. My first attempt at correcting persistent hunger would be to decrease protein and increase fat. Try starting your day with a bullet proof style coffee. Lots of good fats can really go a long way. There's a granola I like from Julian's Bakery that is Keto and Paleo friendly. Lots of fiber, but not lots of artificial ingredients. It's called ProGranola. I have it with unsweetened almond milk. It keeps me full for hours.
And don't forget, too much protein will get converted into glucose through a process known as gluconeogenesis. So don't go overboard with meat. Eat lots of non-starchy veggies like salad greens, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, brussels sprouts, etc. They are filling, with lots of nutrients and not many digestible carbs. Eat them with a fat source in order to benefit from their fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K).
Avoid processed foods, and those 'low carb' versions of foods like pastas and breads. Those are still wheat and usually cause people to have cravings and are left feeling unsatisfied. And lots of the low carb candies and shakes are also sometimes triggering for people and end up just causing more guts issues than they are worth.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your journey.44 -
tammyd_white wrote: »Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
It looks like you've gotten tons of anti-low carb advice, and if you think abandoning that is appropriate for you, then so be it. But what I'm guessing it that you've tried many methods, Low Cal, Low Fat, etc. So here's another perspective. The calorie hypothesis was just that, a hypothesis (the whole 3500 cals per pound thing). It has actually been proven many times over that there is no correlation to the number of calories to weight loss. Look up Zoe Harcombe. She has run several studies on this and has amazing insight. Also, low fat has been proven many times over as harmful. Every one of our cells are coated in myelin which is primarily made of fats and our brains are over half fat. You have to add ESSENTIAL fat to your diet in order to have healthy cells and a healthy brain. (There are plenty of studies on PubMed about it, here's one to get you started.)
So all that said, what is right then? Well, like anything else there is no one size fits all for anyone. You need to play with your diet until you are feeling satisfied AND getting the results you want. My first attempt at correcting persistent hunger would be to decrease protein and increase fat. Try starting your day with a bullet proof style coffee. Lots of good fats can really go a long way. There's a granola I like from Julian's Bakery that is Keto and Paleo friendly. Lots of fiber, but not lots of artificial ingredients. It's called ProGranola. I have it with unsweetened almond milk. It keeps me full for hours.
And don't forget, too much protein will get converted into glucose through a process known as gluconeogenesis. So don't go overboard with meat. Eat lots of non-starchy veggies like salad greens, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, brussels sprouts, etc. They are filling, with lots of nutrients and not many digestible carbs. Eat them with a fat source in order to benefit from their fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K).
Avoid processed foods, and those 'low carb' versions of foods like pastas and breads. Those are still wheat and usually cause people to have cravings and are left feeling unsatisfied. And lots of the low carb candies and shakes are also sometimes triggering for people and end up just causing more guts issues than they are worth.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your journey.
Umm. No, a calorie deficit absolutely has not been proven many times over to be incorrect for weight loss. Please give us links to a couple of these many many peer-reviewed studies proving weight loss is not related to a specific reduction in calories.
By the way. I lost 130lbs just counting calories. And if I look back at my numbers they average between 50-60% carbs. Granted, that high a carb percentage doesn't work for everyone, but it can work for some. And the calorie counting absolutely positively did work the way it should have.17 -
tammyd_white wrote: »Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
It looks like you've gotten tons of anti-low carb advice, and if you think abandoning that is appropriate for you, then so be it. But what I'm guessing it that you've tried many methods, Low Cal, Low Fat, etc. So here's another perspective. The calorie hypothesis was just that, a hypothesis (the whole 3500 cals per pound thing). It has actually been proven many times over that there is no correlation to the number of calories to weight loss. Look up Zoe Harcombe. She has run several studies on this and has amazing insight. Also, low fat has been proven many times over as harmful. Every one of our cells are coated in myelin which is primarily made of fats and our brains are over half fat. You have to add ESSENTIAL fat to your diet in order to have healthy cells and a healthy brain. (There are plenty of studies on PubMed about it, here's one to get you started.)
So all that said, what is right then? Well, like anything else there is no one size fits all for anyone. You need to play with your diet until you are feeling satisfied AND getting the results you want. My first attempt at correcting persistent hunger would be to decrease protein and increase fat. Try starting your day with a bullet proof style coffee. Lots of good fats can really go a long way. There's a granola I like from Julian's Bakery that is Keto and Paleo friendly. Lots of fiber, but not lots of artificial ingredients. It's called ProGranola. I have it with unsweetened almond milk. It keeps me full for hours.
And don't forget, too much protein will get converted into glucose through a process known as gluconeogenesis. So don't go overboard with meat. Eat lots of non-starchy veggies like salad greens, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, brussels sprouts, etc. They are filling, with lots of nutrients and not many digestible carbs. Eat them with a fat source in order to benefit from their fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K).
Avoid processed foods, and those 'low carb' versions of foods like pastas and breads. Those are still wheat and usually cause people to have cravings and are left feeling unsatisfied. And lots of the low carb candies and shakes are also sometimes triggering for people and end up just causing more guts issues than they are worth.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your journey.
Ummmm because *kitten* physics right? Energy transfer and balances based on science? Balderdash and poppycock! I hear that whole E=mc2 thing was just a frat party joke that got WAY out of hand. The theory of relativity was totally proven false in “Hogwarts: A History”
*mic drop*18 -
Wynterbourne wrote: »tammyd_white wrote: »Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
It looks like you've gotten tons of anti-low carb advice, and if you think abandoning that is appropriate for you, then so be it. But what I'm guessing it that you've tried many methods, Low Cal, Low Fat, etc. So here's another perspective. The calorie hypothesis was just that, a hypothesis (the whole 3500 cals per pound thing). It has actually been proven many times over that there is no correlation to the number of calories to weight loss. Look up Zoe Harcombe. She has run several studies on this and has amazing insight. Also, low fat has been proven many times over as harmful. Every one of our cells are coated in myelin which is primarily made of fats and our brains are over half fat. You have to add ESSENTIAL fat to your diet in order to have healthy cells and a healthy brain. (There are plenty of studies on PubMed about it, here's one to get you started.)
So all that said, what is right then? Well, like anything else there is no one size fits all for anyone. You need to play with your diet until you are feeling satisfied AND getting the results you want. My first attempt at correcting persistent hunger would be to decrease protein and increase fat. Try starting your day with a bullet proof style coffee. Lots of good fats can really go a long way. There's a granola I like from Julian's Bakery that is Keto and Paleo friendly. Lots of fiber, but not lots of artificial ingredients. It's called ProGranola. I have it with unsweetened almond milk. It keeps me full for hours.
And don't forget, too much protein will get converted into glucose through a process known as gluconeogenesis. So don't go overboard with meat. Eat lots of non-starchy veggies like salad greens, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, brussels sprouts, etc. They are filling, with lots of nutrients and not many digestible carbs. Eat them with a fat source in order to benefit from their fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K).
Avoid processed foods, and those 'low carb' versions of foods like pastas and breads. Those are still wheat and usually cause people to have cravings and are left feeling unsatisfied. And lots of the low carb candies and shakes are also sometimes triggering for people and end up just causing more guts issues than they are worth.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your journey.
Umm. No, a calorie deficit absolutely has not been proven many times over to be incorrect for weight loss. Please give us links to a couple of these many many peer-reviewed studies proving weight loss is not related to a specific reduction in calories.
By the way. I lost 130lbs just counting calories. And if I look back at my numbers they average between 50-60% carbs. Granted, that high a carb percentage doesn't work for everyone, but it can work for some. And the calorie counting absolutely positively did work the way it should have.
Unicorn sighting!
Really, this is the ground truth. There are no repeatable, peer-reviewed studies that show that a calorie deficit doesn't result in fat loss. When people refer to studies that "prove" things that contradict solid scientific conclusions, they are following links in articles and blogs that lead to sites that are either web pages for "Doctors" selling diet woo, or one-off poorly designed experiments that prove only that the people involved have no idea what they're doing.
As a side note, it's unfortunate that an advanced degree doesn't automatically result in even a minimum of ethical integrity. "Doctors" who use their title to scam the public to make themselves rich are despicable. Not only do they suck money from desperate people, they cause many who can't afford the price of the woo to live in fear of what they may be doing to their bodies by not "detoxing" or drinking the expensive teas and shakes.6 -
I will tell you from experience...low carb is not necessary for weight loss and it is definitely not for everyone. I did very low carb for a while (about 6 months)...and I HATED it. I lost weight steadily, but I just didn't feel my best, and I felt really deprived...which meant when I fell off that wagon I fell into a 2 day carb binge.
On the flip side I also don't feel great with a lot of carbs in my system...I feel sluggish and weighed down. So I found what works for me at a happy medium. I stick to a moderate carb (which mostly come from fruits, veggies, and rice), higher fat, high protein diet and I am feeling amazing!
Bottom line is that calories are the most important thing when it comes to weight loss...macros are more about what works for you, keeps you on track, and most importantly, keeps you full!13 -
tammyd_white wrote: »Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
It looks like you've gotten tons of anti-low carb advice, and if you think abandoning that is appropriate for you, then so be it. But what I'm guessing it that you've tried many methods, Low Cal, Low Fat, etc. So here's another perspective. The calorie hypothesis was just that, a hypothesis (the whole 3500 cals per pound thing). It has actually been proven many times over that there is no correlation to the number of calories to weight loss. Look up Zoe Harcombe. She has run several studies on this and has amazing insight. Also, low fat has been proven many times over as harmful. Every one of our cells are coated in myelin which is primarily made of fats and our brains are over half fat. You have to add ESSENTIAL fat to your diet in order to have healthy cells and a healthy brain. (There are plenty of studies on PubMed about it, here's one to get you started.)
So all that said, what is right then? Well, like anything else there is no one size fits all for anyone. You need to play with your diet until you are feeling satisfied AND getting the results you want. My first attempt at correcting persistent hunger would be to decrease protein and increase fat. Try starting your day with a bullet proof style coffee. Lots of good fats can really go a long way. There's a granola I like from Julian's Bakery that is Keto and Paleo friendly. Lots of fiber, but not lots of artificial ingredients. It's called ProGranola. I have it with unsweetened almond milk. It keeps me full for hours.
And don't forget, too much protein will get converted into glucose through a process known as gluconeogenesis. So don't go overboard with meat. Eat lots of non-starchy veggies like salad greens, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, brussels sprouts, etc. They are filling, with lots of nutrients and not many digestible carbs. Eat them with a fat source in order to benefit from their fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K).
Avoid processed foods, and those 'low carb' versions of foods like pastas and breads. Those are still wheat and usually cause people to have cravings and are left feeling unsatisfied. And lots of the low carb candies and shakes are also sometimes triggering for people and end up just causing more guts issues than they are worth.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your journey.
It's not anti low carb advice...it's called advice and the fact you call it "anti carb" is one of the reasons that those who are low carb or keto get called zealots...
we listened to the OP and gave advice on what they said.
Methods of eating are all very personal but to get true weight loss, what you call the "calorie hypothesis" is in fact science at work...is it exactly 3500 calories probably not exactly but...it's pretty close.
I looked her up...can't read much of the content as she wants money to do that...first alarm bell.
No one here is advocating low fat...
But as you said it's all individual so promoting hflc seems like an agenda type post too...oh sounds like anti carb advice to me...see how that can be turned around too...11 -
tammyd_white wrote: »Dani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
It looks like you've gotten tons of anti-low carb advice, and if you think abandoning that is appropriate for you, then so be it. But what I'm guessing it that you've tried many methods, Low Cal, Low Fat, etc. So here's another perspective. The calorie hypothesis was just that, a hypothesis (the whole 3500 cals per pound thing). It has actually been proven many times over that there is no correlation to the number of calories to weight loss. Look up Zoe Harcombe. She has run several studies on this and has amazing insight. Also, low fat has been proven many times over as harmful. Every one of our cells are coated in myelin which is primarily made of fats and our brains are over half fat. You have to add ESSENTIAL fat to your diet in order to have healthy cells and a healthy brain. (There are plenty of studies on PubMed about it, here's one to get you started.)
So all that said, what is right then? Well, like anything else there is no one size fits all for anyone. You need to play with your diet until you are feeling satisfied AND getting the results you want. My first attempt at correcting persistent hunger would be to decrease protein and increase fat. Try starting your day with a bullet proof style coffee. Lots of good fats can really go a long way. There's a granola I like from Julian's Bakery that is Keto and Paleo friendly. Lots of fiber, but not lots of artificial ingredients. It's called ProGranola. I have it with unsweetened almond milk. It keeps me full for hours.
And don't forget, too much protein will get converted into glucose through a process known as gluconeogenesis. So don't go overboard with meat. Eat lots of non-starchy veggies like salad greens, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, brussels sprouts, etc. They are filling, with lots of nutrients and not many digestible carbs. Eat them with a fat source in order to benefit from their fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K).
Avoid processed foods, and those 'low carb' versions of foods like pastas and breads. Those are still wheat and usually cause people to have cravings and are left feeling unsatisfied. And lots of the low carb candies and shakes are also sometimes triggering for people and end up just causing more guts issues than they are worth.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your journey.
1. No one is giving anti low carb advice. Advice is being given based on the actual post. Carbs are irrelevant. If someone said they feel bad on a high carb diet the advice they'll get is that they don't have to eat a high carb diet to lose weight.
2. Not a single scientist worth their salt doubts the energy balance in the human body. That's why the best and most involved weight related studies use calories.
3. Zoe Harcombe looks like a hack. I'll overlook the obvious money grab type of website, and just leave a sample of her "work", no comment. (P.S: I haven't caught any of her publications against energy balance in my quick look)
4. No one in this thread is promoting a low fat diet as the ultimate weight loss diet, and postnatal myelin development in rat brains is hardly the best (or friendliest) approach to get started if someone wishes to look into the importance of fat in the diet.9 -
You can lose weight on low-carb/high-carb, low-fat/high-fat . . . do what works for you!! I'm low-ish carb right now because I had gastric sleeve in September, and it's working well for me. I feel like I have fewer cravings, and I don't have as many energy peaks and valleys. I'm also a person who tends to get full on protein and be hungrier when I eat more carbs. Before my surgery, I was losing well on my own with moderate carbs, though. I think it's really about finding what satiates your hunger and gives you the most energy while maintaining a calorie deficit. Everybody is a little different, so I don't think anyone can argue that there's one "right" way to eat.3
-
I'm three weeks into keto eating too. Are you linked up to any Facebook Groups? I am on Ketogenic Success, and Keto for Beginners. There is so much help and support from the mentors on those pages; they know keto and they quote sources and direct you to peer reviewed studies to help you understand this way of eating. People have many different ideas of what works: that's fine. But if this is the route you've chosen, let's get you to people who can help you succeed. Please don't allow anyone to talk you out of what you feel you need for you. Feel free to friend me for support and encouragement. If you join either of those keto support groups on FB, check the search feature on either page: enter any questions you have and you'll get all the posts that others have had with that same issue. You can of course, always post on the page for support. I don't think you're doing anything wrong, but there are always tweaks that can help us do better.
Be well and keto on,
JessicaDani_Cali_Carolina wrote: »I started a low-carb diet nearly 3 weeks ago. Weight loss has been steady but I'm struggling on several points. I'm early 30s, 5'6", 279 lbs, female.
1. I never feel full or satisfied - always hungry no matter what/how often I eat.
2. At what point will my digestive track acclimate? Every other day seems to bring a different gastrointestinal challenge.
3. This has my lady organs all confused. My TOM nearly coincided with the start of this diet change and I've yet to stop spotting (both bright and dark colors). What is the deal?
I've read that these results are normal for 3 or 4 days but I'm well pass that point.
I drink plenty of water, 1 cup of herbal tea or decaf coffee per day, no alcohol, limited fruits/nuts/dairy/seeds. I'm hard core into the green leafies, eggs, and baked/broiled/grilled meats, shrimp, and fish. I cook with either butter or olive oil. I haven't added cardio though I have been doing small bouts of body weight exercises throughout the day.
Has anyone else had similar issues? Any advice to help ease these effects? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...
5 -
I am new to low-carb (Wednesday was day 1) and so far have not had a huge struggle. Up until Sunday I was gassy, but that seems to have cleared up now. Are you doing low-carb and low-fat or any combination of low-anything? I have noticed when I try to be low-cal/sugar/fat with low-carb, I feel deprived. If I follow low-carb/keto eating, I feel fine. I'm still eating the things I love (except chips, I have not yet found an acceptable replacement for chips) and I'm losing weight. I eat 3 meals and 3-4 snacks every day. It keeps me from getting too hungry and just eating everything in sight.
I also started low-carb for medical reasons, so this could be why my body is responding differently (I apologize if it's there, but I didn't see your reason for going low-carb). If you decide to stop, that's okay! Everyone is different and there is no one size fits all fix.
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