Why do I feel like this?

StacySkinny

I'm on day three of low carb diet and day two of meatless diet. I've cut out pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, etc. As well as all meat. I still eat veggies and fruit though that have carbs, just no starchy foods or animal meat.

I was feeling fine the first two days but I really feel sick today. My brain feels a little fuzzy and I feel nauseous. I know I'm getting PLENTY of carbs from the veggies, fruit, milk, and nuts I'm eating, as well as the sugar I put in my coffee. I'm also eating plenty and my calorie counts are about the same as usual. So I'm not sure why my body is feeling this way. Has any one else experience this with a low carb or vegetarian diet? Any ideas on what I can do to make the feelings of nausea and fuzzy-brain go away?

snowfox92

you should not have just cut it right out. you need to just cut down on it. and i would have just switched to turkey based meat. plus, don't fry meat. grill it. grilled chicken, grilled turkey. nothing fried. it's much better for you. you will still lose weight that way. i've been losing weight like you wouldn't believe doing that. plus i don't get fuzzy headed because i get enough to eat. Also, you need PROTEIN

UponThisRock

Your feelings are typical of those starting low carb diets. It goes away in a week or so for most people. Some people adapt quicker, some never adapt at all.

MaximalLife

I won't consider any such fad diet changes until AFTER I reach my goals. That's too much to change while trying to lose weight.

All food groups are OK in proper proportion and in moderation.

melaniecheeks

Low carb AND meatless? Why????

stevwil41

Low carb AND meatless? Why????

I was kind of wondering this myself. If you're making changes that you honestly think you can sustain then good for you but it's been my experience that the more extreme the change, the shorter the time that I can sustain it. Good luck and I hope you feel better.

EricMurano

Yeah I thought eating meat was a staple of a low-carber

Clarecbear82

Low carb AND meatless? Why????

I second this!

You are probably feeling awful because you have made such a drastic change.

gdjenn

It will pass... if you are a carb addict (like me), your body is adjusting. Best thing for me was more water and and sleep! Hang in there! It's not a fad, it's a lifestyle.

jhunt90

Protein is super important to your body, you don't get enough from just nuts. You should try to have low fat kinds of meat instead of cutting it out completely

StacySkinny

you should not have just cut it right out. you need to just cut down on it. and i would have just switched to turkey based meat. plus, don't fry meat. grill it. grilled chicken, grilled turkey. nothing fried. it's much better for you. you will still lose weight that way. i've been losing weight like you wouldn't believe doing that. plus i don't get fuzzy headed because i get enough to eat. Also, you need PROTEIN

I've been on the grilled chicken and lean turkey meat for quite a while now. I haven't been a red meat or pork eater in a couple of years. But for me, switching to NO MEAT is a moral choice, and not really about my weight loss journey. I stopped eating cows and pigs on a regular basis a couple years ago, every once in a while I'd have a bit of my boyfriend's ham or something, but for the most part cut out pork and beef from my diet. But I still feel guilty eating any animals, even chickens and turkeys, so I decided to finally do what I've been wanting to for the past few years, go meatless. I don't like the thought that an animal had to die for my meal. I know that's not everyone's choice, and I respect other people's decisions and choices when it comes to eating animals. But for me it's just not something I want to do anymore.

And of course, everyone needs protein. But there are a LOT of protein sources besides meat. I get plenty of protein with nuts, milk, beans, yogurt, peanut butter, etc.

Grokette

I'm on day three of low carb diet and day two of meatless diet. I've cut out pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, etc. As well as all meat. I still eat veggies and fruit though that have carbs, just no starchy foods or animal meat.

I was feeling fine the first two days but I really feel sick today. My brain feels a little fuzzy and I feel nauseous. I know I'm getting PLENTY of carbs from the veggies, fruit, milk, and nuts I'm eating, as well as the sugar I put in my coffee. I'm also eating plenty and my calorie counts are about the same as usual. So I'm not sure why my body is feeling this way. Has any one else experience this with a low carb or vegetarian diet? Any ideas on what I can do to make the feelings of nausea and fuzzy-brain go away?

Sounds like detox from eating the starchy and processed foods.

Drink lots of water and herbal tea and it will go away anywhere between 2 and 7 days from now. You will know when it passes because you will get a burst of energy.

I do want to mention that you need to get some good protein sources (hemp protein, eggs, or add back in some meat of some type) or you are going to burn your muscle away and be left skinny fat.

Protein and fat in adequate amounts are needed to maintain or build muscle mass and burn fat.

Grokette

Low carb AND meatless? Why????

I second this!

You are probably feeling awful because you have made such a drastic change.

Drastic change has nothing to do with it. Geeesh, just because someone cuts out the processed foods from their eating plan it is always such a drastic change.

No, it is not drastic.

gazz777

Bump ... I've had this

Clarecbear82

Low carb AND meatless? Why????

I second this!

You are probably feeling awful because you have made such a drastic change.

Drastic change has nothing to do with it. Geeesh, just because someone cuts out the processed foods from their eating plan it is always such a drastic change.

No, it is not drastic.

I ment it was drastic because she's done it all at once actually! Most people would do one then the other. No need to get on your high horse about it!!

Jorra

You're cutting out two out of three macros from your diet. Of course you're going to feel bad. A lot of good sources of vegetarian protein are grains and higher in carbs. Protein from nuts and milk alone isn't going to sustain you.

infamousmk

I'd faint if I cut out carbs and protein like that! They're essential building blocks of life and stuff.

StacySkinny

This actually isn't a drastic change for me, guys. For the most part the only meat I've eaten over the past couple of years has been lean turkey meat or chicken meat, and those where usually pretty small amounts when I did eat them. I wasn't much of a meat eater before this. As for those concerned with my protein. I drink a lot of milk, eat yogurt, nuts, beans, cabbage, broccoli, soy products, peanut butter - all are great non-meat sources of protein and I usually hit my daily protein goals (and often even go over).

The low carb thing is new for me. I'm hesitant even to call it low carb as I'm actually getting plenty of carbs, just not from foods like bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc. lol I've been keeping an eye on my macros and according to this site I'm getting plenty of carbs with the fruit, milk, veggies, etc. that I eat.

I think perhaps a couple of the responses you guys have made might right, my body is most likely just detoxing and that's probably why I'm feeling "off". I'm sure I'll be feeling better in a couple of days.

odusgolp

Your body and brain are p*ssed off at you.

Clarecbear82

This actually isn't a drastic change for me, guys. For the most part the only meat I've eaten over the past couple of years has been lean turkey meat or chicken meat, and those where usually pretty small amounts when I did eat them. I wasn't much of a meat eater before this. As for those concerned with my protein. I drink a lot of milk, eat yogurt, nuts, beans, cabbage, broccoli, soy products, peanut butter - all are great non-meat sources of protein and I usually hit my daily protein goals (and often even go over).

The low carb thing is new for me. I'm hesitant even to call it low carb as I'm actually getting plenty of carbs, just not from foods like bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc. lol I've been keeping an eye on my macros and according to this site I'm getting plenty of carbs with the fruit, milk, veggies, etc. that I eat.

I think perhaps a couple of the responses you guys have made might right, my body is most likely just detoxing and that's probably why I'm feeling "off". I'm sure I'll be feeling better in a couple of days.

I think the way you worded your op made it sound like you went cold turkey (pardon the pun) on both. I don't eat much meat at all as I don't like it so giving it up would be nothing to me either

Meechity

This actually isn't a drastic change for me, guys. For the most part the only meat I've eaten over the past couple of years has been lean turkey meat or chicken meat, and those where usually pretty small amounts when I did eat them. I wasn't much of a meat eater before this. As for those concerned with my protein. I drink a lot of milk, eat yogurt, nuts, beans, cabbage, broccoli, soy products, peanut butter - all are great non-meat sources of protein and I usually hit my daily protein goals (and often even go over).

The low carb thing is new for me. I'm hesitant even to call it low carb as I'm actually getting plenty of carbs, just not from foods like bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc. lol I've been keeping an eye on my macros and according to this site I'm getting plenty of carbs with the fruit, milk, veggies, etc. that I eat.

I think perhaps a couple of the responses you guys have made might right, my body is most likely just detoxing and that's probably why I'm feeling "off". I'm sure I'll be feeling better in a couple of days.

Hope you feel better soon. Kudos on cutting out the animal proteins, I'd actually watch iron more carefully.

melaniecheeks

I totally understand your reasons for going meatless. Why dont you concentrate on that for a while, and then gradually reduce your carbs? Your body will react much better to a gentle adjustment rather than shock tactics.

StacySkinny

I'm on day three of low carb diet and day two of meatless diet. I've cut out pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, etc. As well as all meat. I still eat veggies and fruit though that have carbs, just no starchy foods or animal meat.

I was feeling fine the first two days but I really feel sick today. My brain feels a little fuzzy and I feel nauseous. I know I'm getting PLENTY of carbs from the veggies, fruit, milk, and nuts I'm eating, as well as the sugar I put in my coffee. I'm also eating plenty and my calorie counts are about the same as usual. So I'm not sure why my body is feeling this way. Has any one else experience this with a low carb or vegetarian diet? Any ideas on what I can do to make the feelings of nausea and fuzzy-brain go away?

Sounds like detox from eating the starchy and processed foods.

Drink lots of water and herbal tea and it will go away anywhere between 2 and 7 days from now. You will know when it passes because you will get a burst of energy.

I do want to mention that you need to get some good protein sources (hemp protein, eggs, or add back in some meat of some type) or you are going to burn your muscle away and be left skinny fat.

Protein and fat in adequate amounts are needed to maintain or build muscle mass and burn fat.

Thank you! That's really good advice. And I think you're right. Starchy foods where a main staple in my home as we don't eat much meat. Rice, bread, and pasta were the main part of our meals. I think I'm going through starchy food detox. lol I'm sure you're right though, that I'll start feeling better in a few days once my body has adjusted to not having rice and pasta.

CaptainGordo

Somebody please point me to a reputable source of data that says that you detox by abstaining from a particular type of food. The detox talk, in my opinion, is rubbish. There is no reputable data to back up the claims that folks are full of toxins because of they eat like 99.9% of the population.

macx2mommy

I'm guessing that by cutting out the carbs, you are now longer receiving any complete proteins. Vegetable protein is not the same is animal protein. Vegetable protein is an incomplete protein, that requires a complex carb (grain) to complete.

You may want to put back some of the complex carbs (whole grains), and just get rid of the crappy process stuff, and sugars.

The other option is to add Quinoa, it's one of the few complete proteins in a grain.

infamousmk

Somebody please point me to a reputable source of data that says that you detox by abstaining from a particular type of food. The detox talk, in my opinion, is rubbish. There is no reputable data to back up the claims that folks are full of toxins because of they eat like 99.9% of the population.

Is webmd reputable? Because they say that detoxes are rubbish too.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/detox-diets-purging-myths

If that's not sufficient, Tufts Medical Center (which may or may not be an actual medical center) also says there isn't enough scientific evidence to support detoxification:

http://www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/apps/HealthGate/Article.aspx?chunkiid=100544

... which goes on to state:

To date, there has been little research on the various detoxification diets, and as a result, there is no scientific support for or against any of their health claims. Instead, both pro and con arguments rely on what is known about the functioning of the human body, as well as toxicology (the study of toxins).

.... annnnnd:

If you still, despite their questionable benefits, decide to go on a detox diet, be sure to consult with your doctor first. Certain groups of people should never follow this type of diet, including children of all ages, pregnant women, and individuals with diabetes. Finally, because most detox diets severely limit calorie intake, vigorous exercise should be avoided while on these diets.

and finally, even though the article does state several benefits of 'detoxing' .. it concludes with this:

Without research available to support the claims made by these various detoxification diets, consumers should be skeptical.

Rather than going on a short-term detox diet, make healthful long-term changes to your diet such as eating a more plant-based diet, drinking more water, and cutting back on your caffeine and alcohol intake.


Oh, sorry, EEG ... I could only find statements that support your belief.

mamitosami

I feel like I get fuzzy-headed when I I sense I need some carbs. I get almost all my carbs from veggies and fruit, and quinoa and a little brown rice, but sometimes I feel like it's not enough. I've not intentionally gone low carb, it's just kind happened that way... So I eat a helping of pretzels, and strangely I feel more clear-headed... so I have stuck to that practice.

A friend sent me this article and it sort of stuck with me http://www.huffingtonpost.com/judith-j-wurtman-phd/dropping-serotonin-levels-_b_819855.html, I have no idea how reputable this article is, but it stuck with me and having that carb really works for me, sometimes I have an apple instead... I always went for a protein, but it just didn't work, which surprised me... Is there a certain time of day that you feel this way?

jetscreaminagain

Can I step in and suggest what seems kind of obvious to me?

I feel tired and foggy headed when I just plain need more food.

Not a ton of calories in the food you will allow yourself to continue to eat, while the foods you cut out do have a fair few calories.

Grokette

Low carb AND meatless? Why????

I second this!

You are probably feeling awful because you have made such a drastic change.

Drastic change has nothing to do with it. Geeesh, just because someone cuts out the processed foods from their eating plan it is always such a drastic change.

No, it is not drastic.

I ment it was drastic because she's done it all at once actually! Most people would do one then the other. No need to get on your high horse about it!!

For most people, the only way to change is to just do it. No baby stepping around. I admire the OP for taking the plunge with both feet and going back to a natural, whole foods approach.

As a matter of fact, I give her a standing ovation!!!

No one is on their "high horse" about anything, especially for eating the way we are intended to eat anyway.

Grokette

Somebody please point me to a reputable source of data that says that you detox by abstaining from a particular type of food. The detox talk, in my opinion, is rubbish. There is no reputable data to back up the claims that folks are full of toxins because of they eat like 99.9% of the population.

It is a well known fact that sugar, caffeine and many of the additives in the processed foods we eat are highly ADDICTIVE. Therefore when you cut them out, you detox just like you do if you were a drug addict or an alcoholic.

Maybe it is not only a detox of sorts, but it is also going through withdrawls. Most people don't believe it because they will never attempt to give up sugar and such. I know because I am regularly asked to bake people cakes, pies, cookies and pastries that I no longer eat.