Low Carb Twilight Zone???

FletcherChic

hi MFPers -
i have insulin resistance (and PCOS) and have been doing a VERY low carb meal plan (7% carbs, 55% fat, 38% protein) for the past 4 days in order to force my body into learning how to burn fat (this seems to be the recommended therapy for IR)....i have been eating a hearty diet with plenty of cals, plenty of good fats, and lean proteins but i think this very low carb intake is putting me into the twilight zone!!! i feel sooo funky and out-of-sorts!!! has anybody else experienced this? if so - how long does it last???? i barely have the energy to get dressed in the morning and my workouts have been a bust as i literally have hit a wall at the gym ! i am fully motivated to be there, i just can't will my body to even take another step....this is very unusual for me - i am usually full of life and have a zip in my step....but this fog has to lift soon or i might just get into trouble (i nearly drove my car into the garage door a few minutes ago! yikes!)
thanks friends
:sad:

Zara11

Is this absolutely necessary? Can you eat more carbs and just lose weight at a lower rate?

I'm so sorry - I have to say, it doesn't sound like you're improving your health this way - but I'm no expert, so I'd check with a doctor or something. Best of luck!

FletcherChic

Zara - at this point i'm not even doing this to lose weight....i am trying to force my body not to be dependent on carbs and to be able to lower my insulin levels (which we all release when we eat - especially carbs)....this was not prescribed specifically by MY doctor, however, a diet of no more than 30-40g of carbs per day is the recommended way to improve insulin resistance and it is at the suggestion of a licensed nutritionist.

rinalynn

hi MFPers -
i have insulin resistance (and PCOS) and have been doing a VERY low carb meal plan (7% carbs, 55% fat, 38% protein) for the past 4 days in order to force my body into learning how to burn fat (this seems to be the recommended therapy for IR)....i have been eating a hearty diet with plenty of cals, plenty of good fats, and lean proteins but i think this very low carb intake is putting me into the twilight zone!!! i feel sooo funky and out-of-sorts!!! has anybody else experienced this? if so - how long does it last???? i barely have the energy to get dressed in the morning and my workouts have been a bust as i literally have hit a wall at the gym ! i am fully motivated to be there, i just can't will my body to even take another step....this is very unusual for me - i am usually full of life and have a zip in my step....but this fog has to lift soon or i might just get into trouble (i nearly drove my car into the garage door a few minutes ago! yikes!)
thanks friends
:sad:

I felt like this also, I had to do it for my RA ( I did this under my doctors care ),and the 3rd day I felt like that ,my kids called me monster mom, by the 5th day I felt better and then my body got used to it. I get most of my carbs from fruits and veggies if you get too bad I would bring my carbs up some use complex carbs. Good luck and take it easy during these next few days.

hiddensecant

Ask your doctor about increasing carbs slowly until you're out of the mental fog then lower it back down slowly until it starts to inhibit your performance again. I say ask because I know it will help you feel better but I don't know if it will become counterproductive to your goals regarding insulin resistance.

But weaning yourself in and out could be a way to get into the 30-40 range without feeling the way that you do.

ebkins7

One thing you need to keep in mind is that your carbs are not as bad as everyone thinks they are. They are main source of energy for the body. It does help to eat "GOOD carbs" not bad carbs. I agree, I think this is not a great way to get healthy and if you are going to do this, you should probably be under the supervision of a physician!

Best of luck to you!

connie96

I tried "Atkins" one time about 10 years ago. I was only able to stand it for 11 days and I felt awful the whole time. The muscle fatigue was really painful. For instance, I had been climbing the stairs to my office on the third floor of my building everyday for years and then, I couldn't anymore. It wasn't soreness. It was just that the muscles were refusing to lift me. And I wasn't huge. I probably only had about 15-20 pounds to lose at the time.

Low-carb was too physically painful for me to continue. And I was just doing it to lose a few pounds. If you are doing this to improve a medical condition, I think your best bet is to talk to your doctor and see if the "recommended treatment", the nutritionist and the doctor are all on the same page. If they're not... maybe adjustments should be made so that your conditions are being treated and so that you feel better.

I once had an accident that I know was a result of plain old sleep-deprivation. Mental fatigue from inadequate nutrition could get you injured or worse. I really hope you're able to see your doctor very soon.

Good luck!

pickadilly2009

Low carb works. It does. However, 7g is way too low. You should can be under 20 but no less than 15. I don't think you could eat enough to feed a mouse with only 7g. How many calories is this translating into? My guess is not very much. Don't sustain the extra low carb too long, it can actually do damage to organs.

Skinnytime

I know what you mean. I tried cycling carbs and found that same Twilight Zone problem. I upped my intake of Omega 3 (fish oil and flax oil) and found it helped a bit. As others have said, talk to your doctor and make sure this is the way to go. 7% carbs does seem a little on the low side. I don't think you can get in enough veggies with only 7% carbs. I was doing no more than 20% carbs and that I found to be difficult. Is there nothing else that a doc can give you to help with the IR?

adopt4

Insulin resistance is something that takes a long time to get over. Why aren't you taking a medicine for it, as you eat healthy, and your body slowly learns how to process it correctly? That diet greatly concerns me, as far as healthy is concerned... it doesn't sound healthy AT ALL.

Cinnamon pills will help with the blood sugar, but it takes a long time for that to work, although it is a natural remedy that was at least ok'd by my doctor. I couldn't do it because I kept burping up cinnamon, couldn't stand it, so back to the glucophage.

I do not believe this sounds like the correct solution for IR.

I know when I lowered my carbs using MFP's guidelines, I went thru carb withdrawel and felt pretty awful for the first week or so - and then it was better. But that was MFP's guidelines, not what the dietician said. With something this drastic there should be a doctor trained in your issues overseeing what the dietician says... I have a son with an eating disorder and everything the dietician says first is approved by the specialist dr before we put it in action, because a dietician is NOT a doctor.

marm1962

hi MFPers -
i have insulin resistance (and PCOS) and have been doing a VERY low carb meal plan (7% carbs, 55% fat, 38% protein) for the past 4 days in order to force my body into learning how to burn fat (this seems to be the recommended therapy for IR)....i have been eating a hearty diet with plenty of cals, plenty of good fats, and lean proteins but i think this very low carb intake is putting me into the twilight zone!!! i feel sooo funky and out-of-sorts!!! has anybody else experienced this? if so - how long does it last???? i barely have the energy to get dressed in the morning and my workouts have been a bust as i literally have hit a wall at the gym ! i am fully motivated to be there, i just can't will my body to even take another step....this is very unusual for me - i am usually full of life and have a zip in my step....but this fog has to lift soon or i might just get into trouble (i nearly drove my car into the garage door a few minutes ago! yikes!)
thanks friends
:sad:

Try these places:

http://www.pcosnutrition.com/
http://www.nutritiondata.com/topics/glycemic-index
http://www.gidietrecipes.com/aboutlowgi.htm

LeanLioness

Are you eating enough vegetables??

Try for these numbers.........

Fat: 50%
Protein 40%
Carbs 10%

I was insulin resistant and then became full blown diabetic..........i didn't listen to the Dr when they said very low carb and exercise............

Your body could be detoxing too from the sugar, starches and chemicals that you were putting in your body.........

You should get a BIG burst of energy soon!!

LeanLioness

Check out this article..........................

A Low-Carb Diet Shown to Reverse Type 2 Diabetes
Study Proves Very Low Carb Diet is Effective


Does a low-carb diet really help control or even reverse type 2 diabetes? According to a study from Duke University, a very low-carb diet (20 grams or less a day) gave participants better blood sugar control and more effective weight loss than participants who followed a low-glycemic reduced calorie diet.
Eighty-four people with obesity and type 2 diabetes took part in the study. During the study, both groups also had the supportive benefit of group meetings, nutritional supplementation and an exercise program. After 6 months, the low-carb group had lower hemoglobin A1c results, lost more weight, and 95% were able to reduce or even totally eliminate their diabetes medications. The reduced calorie group did lose weight, and 62% of them were also able to reduce or eliminate their medications, but the low-carb diet group had better overall results.

"It's simple," says Eric Westman, MD, director of Duke's Lifestyle Medicine Program and lead author of the study. "If you cut out the carbohydrates, your blood sugar goes down, and you lose weight which lowers your blood sugar even further. It's a one-two punch."

The low-carb diet used in the study is very restrictive on carb intake, with participants eating under 20 grams of carbs a day. This may be difficult for many people to stick to, but as Dr. Westman says, "This is a therapeutic diet for people who are sick," says Westman. "These lifestyle approaches all have an intensive behavioral component. In our program, people come in every two weeks to get reinforcements and reminders. We've treated hundreds of patients this way now at Duke, and what we see clinically and in our research shows that it works."

Keep in mind that there is more to these results than just diet. Both groups also exercised regularly as well. Diet combined with exercise is the cornerstone of diabetes management. Before starting any diet program, please talk with your doctor, or healthcare provider.

Source:

(Jan. 5, 2009). Low-Carb Diets Prove Better at Controlling Type 2 Diabetes . Retrieved February 19, 2009, from DukeHealth.org Web site:

LeanLioness

Honestly, it doesn't sound like you are eating enough veggies...........

Add in some nuts or some berries too.

I low carb, actually I try to keep my carbs to 35 or below and I have so much energy I fell like I could bust through the roof!!!!!!!

Post some menus as how you have been eating the past few days............

SHBoss1673

I was just going to say, low carb IS an accepted treatment for IR and sometimes diabetes, but LL beat me to the punch, so, for what it's worth, I'll just reinforce, this is not odd or out of the ordinary, and is practiced by many highly respected medical centers and clinics around the world.

sincereme

I too have Insulin Resistance. This is what my Nutritionist told me to do. Which is 20g or less per meal. Check it out:

Here is some examples of what my diet will look like:
Protein- MUST be present in all meals plus all meals must be low fat.

Protein Examples:
eggs, egg white, cottage cheese, fat free ricotta, greek yogurt, low fat cheese, veggie burgers, skinless chicken, turkey, fish, seafood, lean meats(at least 93% lean or greater), pork tenderloin, soy beans, protein powder(no sugar).

Veggies: 1 cup or more of veggies, 2 cups or more of salad greens

Carbs: Only 1 carb per meal - Unrefined(whole wheat)
Examples: 2 slices of low carb bread, 1 slice of regular bread, 1 low carb wrap, 1/2 large potato or sweet potato, 1 small potato, 1/3 cups of beans, 1/3 cups of brown rice, 1/3 cup Whole Wheat Pasta, 1 Piece of fruit(fruit is the best carb but it still has to be limited to 1 per meal)

Breakfast Examples:
Greek yogurt w/fruit, cottage cheese w/fruit, veggie omelet w/ 2 slices of low carb bread, special K protein plus cereal, kashi go lean cereal, low carb wrap with low fat cheese, protwin shake(skim milk, berries, whey protein)

Snack Examples:
handful of nuts and fruit, low fat cheese and fruit, hummus and veggies, non fat ricotta w/ sugar free cocoa sprinkled on it, apple with Peanut butter(must be all natural PB)

As you can see there is a Protein to counteract the Carb.


Hope it helps!!

Maria

LeanLioness

I too have Insulin Resistance. This is what my Nutritionist told me to do. Which is 20g or less per meal. Check it out:

Here is some examples of what my diet will look like:
Protein- MUST be present in all meals plus all meals must be low fat.

Protein Examples:
eggs, egg white, cottage cheese, fat free ricotta, greek yogurt, low fat cheese, veggie burgers, skinless chicken, turkey, fish, seafood, lean meats(at least 93% lean or greater), pork tenderloin, soy beans, protein powder(no sugar).

Veggies: 1 cup or more of veggies, 2 cups or more of salad greens

Carbs: Only 1 carb per meal - Unrefined(whole wheat)
Examples: 2 slices of low carb bread, 1 slice of regular bread, 1 low carb wrap, 1/2 large potato or sweet potato, 1 small potato, 1/3 cups of beans, 1/3 cups of brown rice, 1/3 cup Whole Wheat Pasta, 1 Piece of fruit(fruit is the best carb but it still has to be limited to 1 per meal)

Breakfast Examples:
Greek yogurt w/fruit, cottage cheese w/fruit, veggie omelet w/ 2 slices of low carb bread, special K protein plus cereal, kashi go lean cereal, low carb wrap with low fat cheese, protwin shake(skim milk, berries, whey protein)

Snack Examples:
handful of nuts and fruit, low fat cheese and fruit, hummus and veggies, non fat ricotta w/ sugar free cocoa sprinkled on it, apple with Peanut butter(must be all natural PB)

As you can see there is a Protein to counteract the Carb.


Hope it helps!!

Maria

I don't understand why 20 grams per meal???? That is not what I have been told and what I read and research..........

I can't handle wheat, I am allergic to it...........

I stick to protein (and I eat the skin on the chicken for good fat - animal fat is not bad for you), veggeis and fruit, nuts...........no bread, pasta, rice or potatoes...........

Check out my blood work - click link in my signature..............

LeanLioness

I too have Insulin Resistance. This is what my Nutritionist told me to do. Which is 20g or less per meal. Check it out:

Here is some examples of what my diet will look like:
Protein- MUST be present in all meals plus all meals must be low fat.

Protein Examples:
eggs, egg white, cottage cheese, fat free ricotta, greek yogurt, low fat cheese, veggie burgers, skinless chicken, turkey, fish, seafood, lean meats(at least 93% lean or greater), pork tenderloin, soy beans, protein powder(no sugar).

Veggies: 1 cup or more of veggies, 2 cups or more of salad greens

Carbs: Only 1 carb per meal - Unrefined(whole wheat)
Examples: 2 slices of low carb bread, 1 slice of regular bread, 1 low carb wrap, 1/2 large potato or sweet potato, 1 small potato, 1/3 cups of beans, 1/3 cups of brown rice, 1/3 cup Whole Wheat Pasta, 1 Piece of fruit(fruit is the best carb but it still has to be limited to 1 per meal)

Breakfast Examples:
Greek yogurt w/fruit, cottage cheese w/fruit, veggie omelet w/ 2 slices of low carb bread, special K protein plus cereal, kashi go lean cereal, low carb wrap with low fat cheese, protwin shake(skim milk, berries, whey protein)

Snack Examples:
handful of nuts and fruit, low fat cheese and fruit, hummus and veggies, non fat ricotta w/ sugar free cocoa sprinkled on it, apple with Peanut butter(must be all natural PB)

As you can see there is a Protein to counteract the Carb.


Hope it helps!!

Maria

I don't believe the main stream nutritionists............

My dietician, endocronologist, naturopath have all told me you can have refined carbs or fat as a human, but not both...

I chose natural carbs (vegetables, fruits and nuts) and natural fats..........

With low carb, your fat intake should be higher, that is what keeps you full and satisfied..........

The only thing that your nutritionist told you the same as my doctors is that when you eat carbs, no matter if they are vegetables, fruit, etc.........you should have protein. But my doctors say you should have more fat than protein.............


Look at consuming fats the same way you put gas in your car...............IT TAKES FAT TO BURN FAT.........Just like it takes gas to run your car.

hiddensecant

Fat: 50%
Protein 40%
Carbs 10%

This sounds more sustainable for IR. Add those veggies in! And be sure you have a good amount of fish. Those omega 3's will really help with the fog.

Skinny, I'm not sure where you read about carb cycling, but in "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle", the carb recommendation was around 30% for low carb days and 50% for high carb days (give or take 5% in either direction).

FletcherChic

Fat: 50%
Protein 40%
Carbs 10%

This sounds more sustainable for IR. Add those veggies in! And be sure you have a good amount of fish. Those omega 3's will really help with the fog.

Skinny, I'm not sure where you read about carb cycling, but in "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle", the carb recommendation was around 30% for low carb days and 50% for high carb days (give or take 5% in either direction).

i will give it a few more days and see how things go (if i don't see a change i will definitely try upping my carbs to 10%)...i feel a little better today so that's a good sign!!!!....

and to all the naysayers of low carb...i get it! trust me - i do!!! i thought the whole low carb thing was a bunch of bologona and when my father did low carb, just watching him eat made me want to throw up (a pile of eggs, with a package of bacon, all covered in ranch dressing, with a side of cheese....you get the idea! it was disgusting!!!!)...i am not doing THAT kind of low carb and i agree that cutting out a food group is not a healthy way to eat for most people....there are, however, people who - on a cellular level - just can't metabolize the carbs like a normal person...and for someone with IR - i could eat all the carbs i want and it wouldn't do anything for me (as far as feeding my body and providing energy) because the carbs can't enter the cells...so guess what - it just gets stashed away as fat and THAT is how i have managed to gain 20+ pounds by eating steamed veggies and lean protein for the past year!!!!!!!!!!!

as for fish - ughhhhh...i'd rather eat a roll of toilet paper!...i take 4g of fish oil a day....i know it's not the same as the real deal but i just can't do fish :sick:

thank you all for your insight - it is appreciated and you've given me plenty to think about

sincereme

This is the information she gave me. She was refering to net carbs. I should have mentioned this before.

When I follow it I do lose weight. It just gets kind of expensive. I try my best to limit the carb intake though. From personal experience if I eat too many carbs I get sleepy and non energized. If I keep my carb count under control then I feel much better.

These non-metabolized and non-digestible carbohydrates, often referred as “Net” or “Effective” carbs, but it is the same thing. Even thought fiber is counted and included on food labels as carbohydrate, it is not absorbed, and has no impact on your blood-sugar levels.

To calculate the net, or effective, carbohydrate content of a food, subtract the number of grams of fiber from the number of grams of carbohydrate. For example, 1 cup of blackberries has 14 grams of carbs, but almost 8 grams of it comes from fiber. Total Carbs – Fiber = Net Carbohydrate or in our example, 14 grams – 8 grams = 6 grams of net carbs.



Basically if I eat a meal that has 30g of carbs and 15g of fiber then my net carb count is 15g.

I too have Insulin Resistance. This is what my Nutritionist told me to do. Which is 20g or less per meal. Check it out:

Here is some examples of what my diet will look like:
Protein- MUST be present in all meals plus all meals must be low fat.

Protein Examples:
eggs, egg white, cottage cheese, fat free ricotta, greek yogurt, low fat cheese, veggie burgers, skinless chicken, turkey, fish, seafood, lean meats(at least 93% lean or greater), pork tenderloin, soy beans, protein powder(no sugar).

Veggies: 1 cup or more of veggies, 2 cups or more of salad greens

Carbs: Only 1 carb per meal - Unrefined(whole wheat)
Examples: 2 slices of low carb bread, 1 slice of regular bread, 1 low carb wrap, 1/2 large potato or sweet potato, 1 small potato, 1/3 cups of beans, 1/3 cups of brown rice, 1/3 cup Whole Wheat Pasta, 1 Piece of fruit(fruit is the best carb but it still has to be limited to 1 per meal)

Breakfast Examples:
Greek yogurt w/fruit, cottage cheese w/fruit, veggie omelet w/ 2 slices of low carb bread, special K protein plus cereal, kashi go lean cereal, low carb wrap with low fat cheese, protwin shake(skim milk, berries, whey protein)

Snack Examples:
handful of nuts and fruit, low fat cheese and fruit, hummus and veggies, non fat ricotta w/ sugar free cocoa sprinkled on it, apple with Peanut butter(must be all natural PB)

As you can see there is a Protein to counteract the Carb.


Hope it helps!!

Maria

I don't understand why 20 grams per meal???? That is not what I have been told and what I read and research..........

I can't handle wheat, I am allergic to it...........

I stick to protein (and I eat the skin on the chicken for good fat - animal fat is not bad for you), veggeis and fruit, nuts...........no bread, pasta, rice or potatoes...........

Check out my blood work - click link in my signature..............