Low Carb Makes me Dizzy...
super_b_star
Posts: 48 Member
While I haven't exactly stuck to a diet for too long, I did try doing the whole 'low carb' thing a while back, because everyone seemed so sure it was something healthy to do. Well, after trying to put up with it for two/three weeks, I finally have to give up that idea because it seemed that if I didn't have some sort of grain in my diet, I'd get dizzy or feel like I was going to hurl during the day 
What are some of your thoughts on the manner? And is it just grain-y carbs you cut out, or even ones in fruit? (cause i have a hard time believing that fruit will ever be a bad thing for me) Or do you say the low carb is just a big hoax?
I worked at a hospital for a while, and talked to the dietitian there. She informed me that low carb does help lose weight, but it's mostly lean tissue, that it was not a healthy life style to go for.
What are some of your thoughts on the manner? And is it just grain-y carbs you cut out, or even ones in fruit? (cause i have a hard time believing that fruit will ever be a bad thing for me) Or do you say the low carb is just a big hoax?
I worked at a hospital for a while, and talked to the dietitian there. She informed me that low carb does help lose weight, but it's mostly lean tissue, that it was not a healthy life style to go for.
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It's called the carb flu and it basically is your body changing fuel sources from carbs to fat and protein. It will eventually pass if you can hang in there. For some it lasts a couple days, for others a couple weeks.
I cut out grains and legumes but I eat some fruit every now and then. I don't think it's a hoax as my progress indicated below is a testament to a low carb lifestyle change. Some like myself swear by it, others not so much. Truthfully, you should do whatever works best for you.
I've never heard of low carb making you lose lean tissue; lean tissue being fast twitch muscle right? The only complaint I've really ever heard of was "All that meat will cause cancer,high blood pressure, diabetes etc." which I don't believe at all.0 -
If you don't feel you can do low carb, but are concerned about how many carbs you are eating, then go for lower carb. I get about 100g/day and focus on fruits and vegetables with a few lower carb substitutions for tortillas, bread and baking mix. It works well for me and others I know. You just have to find what works for you and what you can live with forever.0
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I did the aitkins diet once and got so sick...wanted to get sick all the time...it was horrible...so I know how you feel, I still watch my carbs but make sure they are good, I've cut out bread for the most part but still eat lots of fruit .....i've cut out all pasta , muffins, bread and still feel good!
then again I think I'm gluten intolerant so I feel better not eating grains. when i eat grains I feel horrible too. :P 0 -
Is there a number or anything that you try to keep your carbs around or under?0
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Your body (especially your brain) needs glucose to function. For most people there is nothing wrong with consuming carbs in the form of whole grains, fruits and veggies. Baring allergies or other food sensitivities, I personally don't believe in eliminating entire food groups from my diet.
A balanced diet is a healthy diet.0 -
In the end, you gotta do what's best for your body.
It could be the keto flu, as ipag said, and you'll get it again if you fall off the wagon. Your body, after a lifetime of eating carbs, is getting shocked. Give it time to get adjusted. I promise, if you'll keep on, it gets TONS better.
In my experience, low carb is the best option for me. I was well on the way to inheriting my family's diabetes because I am a carb addict. Sugar, breads, even mass amounts of fruit were the things I constantly binged on. After the first few weeks of the change of my diet, it got better. Everything "clicked," and I no longer crave those things. HUGE pro, I no longer over eat. With the amount of fat/protein I eat, I have learned to pay better attention to when my body is satisfied. I no longer eat until I hate myself. HUGE drawback for me: I'm not sure if I like beer that much anymore. And I just started homebrewing in January >.<
Anyway, I've been in ketosis for 51 days straight! Just drink plenty of water, and you'll be fine.
If you feel like you are hopelessly addicted to carbs like pasta, bread, and sweets, keep giving it a try. If you aren't able to eat a cupcake without fueling a day long sugar binge (like me), it might be the best thing you could do for your body.
If you feel like a low carb diet isn't sustainable (gotta have your whole grains and eat fruit), then PLEASE don't do it. Don't lose all that weight if you're just going to go back to carb happy lifestyle. You will gain it all back.0 -
Is there a number or anything that you try to keep your carbs around or under?
I keep mine under 20g a day.0 -
couple of years ago i went low carb,the only carb i allowed myself were fruit and veggies.i lost 30 pounds in 3 months.But then i have 10 pounds to lose now,i dont seem to be able to survive of low carb.i do a 45:35:20-carb to protein to fat ratio now,i am able to sustain this for long.going lower than that makes me dizzy and nauseous and then i binge-to avoid that i just found a comfortable spot for my body to sustain easily.0
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Seems like a ridiculous diet to me. Carbs = fuel. You need carbs, if you don't get enough carbs, you are depriving yourself of energy. To get energy your body has to burn fat or eat its own muscle and bones to make up for it. Why would anyone in the world do that? It is called starvation. Grains and legumes are exactly what you should eat. Complex carbs are good for you. The only carbs you need to cut on are simple carbs. 20g a day? I would be worried about my health.0
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Seems like a ridiculous diet to me. Carbs = fuel. You need carbs, if you don't get enough carbs, you are depriving yourself of energy. To get energy your body has to burn fat or eat its own muscle and bones to make up for it. Why would anyone in the world do that? It is called starvation. Grains and legumes are exactly what you should eat. Complex carbs are good for you. The only carbs you need to cut on are simple carbs. 20g a day? I would be worried about my health.
Actually, you receive fuel from your fat stores while in ketosis. And you're right about the body needing to burn fat or it'll burn muscle. That's why you need to have more fat in your diet. Cool side effect of more fat? Easier to stay full longer, therefore easier to stay in a caloric deficit.
It's not just a OMG BACON CHEESE diet. It's taught me that I need to eat LESS processed junk and MORE dark, leafy greens. How is that unhealthy?
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Has anyone here ever talked to a doctor about this type of dieting? Or was this adventured on your own?0
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It's recommended by doctors for numerous things: diabetes, hypoglycemia, IBS, and in some cases, seizures in children. It's not for everyone, though. If it is working for you, then that's up to you and your doctor to discuss. Mine thinks that it's a step in the right direction, even after thinking initially it was unhealthy. Bloodwork can't lie!
ETA: If you're a redditor, look at the /r/keto subreddit. Very inspiring!0 -
If you don't feel you can do low carb, but are concerned about how many carbs you are eating, then go for lower carb. I get about 100g/day and focus on fruits and vegetables with a few lower carb substitutions for tortillas, bread and baking mix. It works well for me and others I know. You just have to find what works for you and what you can live with forever.
^^ This. I try to stay around 100g per day.0 -
I have a degree in Nutrition and Alternative medicine as well as working on my medical license in Oriental Medicine, this does not make me an expert at all. What I can tell you is the diets that work and the ones that don't. First off I believe that the wheat in our diets is garbage! its Genetically Modified and the Ill effects are only now barely being realized. There will be no studies anytime soon to prove this theory.. big Corps are too powerful for that.. Now a low carb of 100grams a day can come from just anything not processed... so of course no pasta, pizza, etc.. but there will be cheat meals! so let it be just one Micheal a day.. don't go over board. I cheated one day in my efforts and have not lost any weight in a week! I'm down 15 with about 20 or 30 to go.. Now if you want amazingly fast results you will lose weight like crazy with weight training and keeping your calories in check here.. More fats will need to be brought in as well as protein from all clean sources, Headaches after no gluten (wheat) are very common .. u may even be allergic and not know it. Rice , potatoes , beans of any kind will be great. Just no Wheat ! fats should be from nuts of all kinds .. Almond , sunflower , pistachio.. are just yummy.. Your vegetables can be a great low carb source.. Squash is my favorite in season now.. Cauliflower , salads. etc.. If your really interested in clean eating.. consider a diet similar to the Chinese .. ! they have been doing it right for thousands of years!0
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Seems like a ridiculous diet to me. Carbs = fuel. You need carbs, if you don't get enough carbs, you are depriving yourself of energy. To get energy your body has to burn fat or eat its own muscle and bones to make up for it. Why would anyone in the world do that? It is called starvation. Grains and legumes are exactly what you should eat. Complex carbs are good for you. The only carbs you need to cut on are simple carbs. 20g a day? I would be worried about my health.
Glucose/Ketones = Fuel.
Strictly speaking, ATP = Fuel.
And your body can make enough of it naturally without cannibalising lean muscle or bones.
The brain needs glucose (which the body will fulfill quite happily) and everything else runs just fine without it.
To the OP, add in some salt to your diet ... a broth kind of thing. It'll pass.
Grains and legumes are exactly what you should eat? Don't get me started on leaky gut syndrome and auto-immune diseases ...0 -
Has anyone here ever talked to a doctor about this type of dieting? Or was this adventured on your own?
I would imagine that if I talked to the average doctor about coconut oil they'd spout off about it being 'high in saturated fat and it should be minimised'.
Nah, I think I'll just listen to my body thanks.0 -
Sounds like you might be hypoglycemic0
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If you're on low carb and you find yourself feeling dizzy, it is usually due to low electrolytes (salt, potassium). A sprinkle of salt with each glass of water will usually do the trick.0
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Read what Lyle Mcdonald has to say.0
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Has anyone here ever talked to a doctor about this type of dieting? Or was this adventured on your own?
Yup. Just this week. On week 4 of low carb... I was working out 2 hours a day in bootcamp, eating 1600 cals a day and the scale never moved. I felt deprived. When vacations came up, I freaked out at what I would eat. I had rollercoaster rides during the day as a teacher at work after eating all my healthy, low fat low cal meals. Horrible. And no, my fasting blood sugar was not high. It was high-normal. But still... normal.
The first two weeks of low carb, I felt like CRAP. I mean CRAP. I was always tired, my workouts were horribly difficult... But it my eating did not suffer. I enjoyed foods I would have never eaten and started to lose weight... even when I would over-eat my calories.
Most of what comes off at first is water weight, since the sugar binds to water. You pee it out. I started feeling EXCELLENT week three. Then went to a bday party and are cake. I was sick feeling, instantly bloated and gassy. Decided to throw in the towel and have some pulled pork nachos and a candy bar. Felt even worse. Had to take gas x, couldn't sleep. For two days I felt horrible. Then all those symptoms I had in the first two weeks came back. In the end, not worth it to cheat. I ate the cake so I didn't seem weird... but now I know what sugar and carbs do to me. For me, it's going to be a health choice.
Anyway, my doc was fine with low carb. Told me to make sure I eat plenty of meat. FYI, if you don't eat high fat you WILL burn off muscle. So I eat plenty of fat... including coconut oil. I always feel satisfied and I noticed I can now eat MORE calories and not gain weight. Now that that water weight is gone, I am losing a lb a week - which is perfectly fine with me and seems healthy. All my carbs are from fresh veggies for the most part. Sometimes berries.
Everyone has a different body. There is research backing up low carb. There are doctors that hate it. I tried Atkins when I was 19 and passed out. Now I just aim for any carbs I want and my daily total is under 30. I no longer crave junk food. It's the best thing that has happened to me with food... no more guilt and obsession!
With this being said, I get very very tired in the first few weeks and I get very very sick feeling when I workout. But today we did all cardio for a long time and I felt GREAT!! My body adjusted to burning the fat I eat, and now it seems I am way more even keel and my workouts are usually a tad bit better! Not to mention... my muscle definition is AMAZING since I started low-carbing. It's almost like it builds faster or something.
Not everyone will agree with what I said, but it's my story. I even have blood work being done to make sure all is good and well. I'm pretty positive that it will still be good (it was good before low carb, too).
Add me if you want... diary open to friends. 0 -
If you're on low carb and you find yourself feeling dizzy, it is usually due to low electrolytes (salt, potassium). A sprinkle of salt with each glass of water will usually do the trick.
This is totally true. One time, while sweating it stopped tasting salty. I have to really watch my salt intake and make sure it's on the up and up. Same for iron and potassium. Just don't drink a full glass of a lot of salt water. Did that once. it gives you the runs. Yes, I'm an idiot. haha!0 -
Yes sounds like the Carb Flu, it does go away after a few days to sometimes a week for others. I try to stay under 100g a day but have went as low as 20 a day. Its just your body reacting to the change of switching fuel sources is all:) Yes you do need some carbs for your bodys function but it doesnt take alot of them and no where near the 300g that "they" try and promote that you need.
Add salt to your meals or drink some chicken or beef broth, that helps alot while your going through this:) have also heard potassium is also good:)0 -
Has anyone here ever talked to a doctor about this type of dieting? Or was this adventured on your own?
Yes, I talked with my Dr. a few years back and his statement was that your brain NEEDS carbs. The way he put is was just watch those who are doing a low carb or even a no carb diet and wait and see. He commented that many of them will gain the weight back as well as extra because they have cut out a needed nutritional food source. Low and behold - everyone of the people I saw using the Atkins diet gained the weight back. I am a firm believer in balance. Nothing more. If you cut out a specific food that will be the food you binge on later. All things in moderation.
As for a "carb number", my husband is diabetic and is limited to 42 carbs per meal, and yes that includes all forms of carbs.
Good luck and follow your body. You know what is best for you.0 -
I read something like that and I get really angry -- it's absolutely criminal. Change can not come soon enough.As for a "carb number", my husband is diabetic and is limited to 42 carbs per meal. That's right 42 per meal. And yes that includes all forms of carbs.0 -
Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketosis
Decide if it makes sense to push your body into doing that if you have no medical reason to
Ketosis is deliberately induced by use of a ketogenic diet as a medical intervention in cases of intractable epilepsy.[6] Other uses of low-carbohydrate diets remain controversial.[8][9]
Also, when the body is in ketosis, subjects often smell of acetone. Some find the smell offensive as acetone is the same chemical responsible for the smell in paint thinner and nail polish remover. *** Ooh this seems like fun0 -
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Also, when the body is in ketosis, subjects often smell of acetone. Some find the smell offensive as acetone is the same chemical responsible for the smell in paint thinner and nail polish remover. *** Ooh this seems like fun
And when you drink coffee, your pee smells like coffee, too. Doesn't mean I'm actually urinating coffee.
Yea, your breath is slightly gross, but I would describe it more as metallic than nail polish. That's what toothpaste/toothbrushes are for.
ETA: No matter what dietary changes you'll make, there will always be flack from others. At the end of the day, if it works for you, go for it.0 -
My doctor told me to keep my carbs under 200g a day and if I can do less then do it. He said he used 200 because it does not leave you feeling totally deprived. He said he used to recommend 60g a day, but that seemed too hard for people. He said to eat all the healthy foods I wanted, just make sure that the fats are healthy fats, butter instead of margarine and olive oil instead of vegetable oil. I found that I don't miss bread and can do without. I think that I really need to go for 150 or less carbs, since your body can make a certain amount on its own. I think the key is to figure out how your body reacts to certain foods. For me the grains/bread seem to be an issue for me. My skin has cleared up and a skin condition I have had for over a decade is better. By listening to my body and paying attention, I learn what works best for me. I think we each have to do the same.0
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Is there a number or anything that you try to keep your carbs around or under?
I've been reducing the amount of grain I eat. I try to keep it to two meals a day, instead of all throughout the day. It's getting me to eat more vegetables as snacks, which is good. I don't have a specific amount of carbs I'm trying to stick to, it's just a general rule I'm following. I'm not trying to lose quite yet, I'm not done breastfeeding. But, it seems like limiting grains has helped me lose a few pounds already.0 -
Also, when the body is in ketosis, subjects often smell of acetone. Some find the smell offensive as acetone is the same chemical responsible for the smell in paint thinner and nail polish remover. *** Ooh this seems like fun
And when you drink coffee, your pee smells like coffee, too. Doesn't mean I'm actually urinating coffee.
Yea, your breath is slightly gross, but I would describe it more as metallic than nail polish. That's what toothpaste/toothbrushes are for.
ETA: No matter what dietary changes you'll make, there will always be flack from others. At the end of the day, if it works for you, go for it.
ASPARAGUS!0
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