MEDICINE HAS CALORIES?!

rachelfaith92

I have a cold/flu type thing. Just for ****s and giggles I scanned the barcode on the medicine. Came up with the exact product I was taking and it came out to 210 calories FOR THE 4 HOUR DOSE. I have been taking it every 4 hours! There is no nutritional value in the nutrient breakdown, but yet it contains 210 calories. I'm doing a low carb diet and I'm concerned with not only over consuming calories (because 3 doses could mean a meal from MCDONALDS) but wondering where those calories are coming from. Sugar?

Would like an explanation if anyone can come up with one..

rachelfaith92

https://instagram.com/p/QqvN6hLw2l/embed/

n0ob

Any cough syrup type medicine may be nearly as strong as whiskey. Why do you think NyQuil woks so well?

wellbert

I doubt it.

rachelfaith92

So it does have 210 calories per dose then..

So basically I've been doing this low carb diet for absolutely no reason. How am I supposed to know how much sugar and the nutritional stats of it if none are listed?

SideSteel

So it does have 210 calories per dose then..

So basically I've been doing this low carb diet for absolutely no reason. How am I supposed to know how much sugar and the nutritional stats of it if none are listed?

1) I sure could be wrong but I really doubt that calorie info is correct.

2) If you're sick, I'd prioritize getting relief even in if that means extra sugar or calories.

pastryari

2) If you're sick, I'd prioritize getting relief even in if that means extra sugar or calories.

Newf77

There are a lot of Multi-vitamins; supplements and medications that have a calorie count the high end are cough syrups. Hint the word syrup.

marvelscale

To be quite honest I don't even log when I'm sick. For the past two weeks I've been eating cough drops and lollipops without care |D

rachelfaith92

I'm just pissed off because I'm been trying to get my body into ketosis and I've been essentially no carbs for NO reason then, if this mucinex has 210 cals worth of sugar. I honestly couldn't care less if I have the flu, I've been stuck at this weight for 4 months and am tired of it, I want to lose this weight so badly. If that means suffering until its over and sticking with ketosis then that's what I'm going to have to do. There should be a label for this and the public should be made aware about this type of thing.

Sarah_Wins

If you care, you're not that sick. Go back to work.

thiscoma

If you go to mucinex.com > max strength (fast max) > drug facts > pdf linked at the top, it gives the ingredients which lists dextrose (sugar) as the 2nd (non medicinal) ingredient. Dextrose is about 15 calories per 5 mL, so if you were taking a 20mL dose and assuming maybe 5 calories per 5 mL for the other pretty calorie-negligible ingredients (color, sucralose, etc), you're only looking at about 80 calories per dose.

deannakittygirl

I was sick a few weeks back and used an entire bottle of one cold/allergy med over 2 nights and almost an entire bottle of cough syrup the next 2 nights anyway I didn't even think about logging any of it. I did not exercise for a week and rested on the couch when I was not sleeping or at work. I ate my calories I was allotted and I still lost weight. plus I have kept it off since. I am no doctor but I think when we are sick our body is working overtime to get us well so I wouldn't really worry too much. you need nutrition so I wouldn't eliminate food to find room for your medicine.

SideSteel

I agree, there should be a label.

But I wouldn't conclude that your efforts are wasted just because you're not in ketosis. Ketosis is not a requirement for fat loss.

CaseRat

2) If you're sick, I'd prioritize getting relief even in if that means extra sugar or calories.

Secondly, you don't need to go into ketosis to lose weight. You mustn't have been doing something right.

Sufficient protein (Lets say 1g protein per lb of lean body mass), sufficient 'healthy' fats, caloric deficit, fill the rest of your calories in with carbs + exercise, preferably HIIT/weights = Success.

pastryari

I'm just pissed off because I'm been trying to get my body into ketosis and I've been essentially no carbs for NO reason then, if this mucinex has 210 cals worth of sugar. I honestly couldn't care less if I have the flu, I've been stuck at this weight for 4 months and am tired of it, I want to lose this weight so badly. If that means suffering until its over and sticking with ketosis then that's what I'm going to have to do. There should be a label for this and the public should be made aware about this type of thing.

Yes, you're right. Those darn medicine companies that are trying make people feel better are douches for undermining weight loss. :huh:

rachelfaith92

I feel absolutely terrible right now, and if I weren't trying so hard to get into ketosis I probably wouldn't care. I just am longing for cereal or cookies or chocolate or orange juice/apple juice, and I can't have any because I can't consume any sugars/carbs. So to know how much effort (I am a HUGE chocolate/cake/cookie addict, like binging on the stuff) I have put into eating a clean ketosis diet and then seeing I am consuming something that will completely negate all I've worked for and had willpower for, I feel defeated.

anaboneana

feeling awesome and drugged up, thanks to 210 calories of sugar and medicine > feeling awful and like death

Marc713

When you are sick, your body needs to be fed energy so that it can fight of the virus. Do NOT cut your calories when you are sick! And hydrate like crazy.

rachelfaith92

The problem is I increased calories from 1200 to 1500 and gained 6 pounds. Dropped again to 1200 calories and lost and then stayed the same. I went and dipped down into 500-900 calorie days a few times a week to see, and I would lose weight, but decided to do it the healthy way and again am gaining on a calorie surplus. I have done a high protein diet before and lost 25 pounds, so FOR ME, that is what works. Being stuck at the same weight for 4 months is a really really depressing situation to be in, despite the different things you've been trying.

stacyhall79

I agree, if you are this pissy about medicine, stop taking it and feel miserable...but if it were myself, who cares! You need to get to feeling better, so you can continue on your way...

tsh0ck

I'm just pissed off because I'm been trying to get my body into ketosis and I've been essentially no carbs for NO reason then, if this mucinex has 210 cals worth of sugar. I honestly couldn't care less if I have the flu, I've been stuck at this weight for 4 months and am tired of it, I want to lose this weight so badly. If that means suffering until its over and sticking with ketosis then that's what I'm going to have to do. There should be a label for this and the public should be made aware about this type of thing.

that definitely sounds like the healthy way to do this!

yeesh.

rachelfaith92

It's frustrating when all you want in your life is so close but yet so far. I can see why girls turn to eating disorders, this whole thing just makes me want to follow that damn Christian Bale diet of tuna an apple, and a multivitamin a day. I'm so tired of being fat and not looking lean and beautiful.

laceyfowler

I know that must be really frustrating... it definitely sounds like you've been really working very hard to eat your very low carb diet, and I'm sure it felt like a punch straight to the gut when you read that caloric info! It sounds like those calorie numbers were probably a little higher than reality, but yes it does sound like it was probably enough sugar to keep you out of ketosis.

So, right now you can feel angry, defeated, etc, and I won't blame you for that... but I'd say to only allow yourself that pity party for a short little bit. Then pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and congratulate yourself for having such strong willpower even while sick! You've avoided all those sweets that you so dearly love! And sure, this cough syrup thing is a setback, but hey... just chalk it up to a "lesson learned," and figure out where to go from here.

From what I can see, you have a bunch of options. You could, for example:
- decide that you're sick and you can put the concept of ketosis on hold while you take this cough syrup
- decide you're going to tough it out without the cough syrup and go back to all the good healthy choices you were making to get back to ketosis
- try to find sugar-free medicine alternatives to take. there are some out there :-)

In any case, try not to let this derail you. Yes, it sucks, but it's not the end of the world, and you have a bunch of different (good) directions you can go from here on out!

Good luck and keep up the good work! :-)

JennyLisT

If the handful of calories in a medicine (you know, a thing you take to feel better) puts you in such a funk, don't take it.

As far as I'm considered, overcoming an illness is more important than the number on a scale, but that's just a crazy idea of mine! :huh:

Julicat6

I recommend changing from a syrup cold medicens to a tablet, they have next to no calories for the same drugs. Look at the one you are taking for active ingredients then find a pill with the same ones, or ask the pharmacist which one is the same.

rachelfaith92

I know that must be really frustrating... it definitely sounds like you've been really working very hard to eat your very low carb diet, and I'm sure it felt like a punch straight to the gut when you read that caloric info! It sounds like those calorie numbers were probably a little higher than reality, but yes it does sound like it was probably enough sugar to keep you out of ketosis.

So, right now you can feel angry, defeated, etc, and I won't blame you for that... but I'd say to only allow yourself that pity party for a short little bit. Then pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and congratulate yourself for having such strong willpower even while sick! You've avoided all those sweets that you so dearly love! And sure, this cough syrup thing is a setback, but hey... just chalk it up to a "lesson learned," and figure out where to go from here.

From what I can see, you have a bunch of options. You could, for example:
- decide that you're sick and you can put the concept of ketosis on hold while you take this cough syrup
- decide you're going to tough it out without the cough syrup and go back to all the good healthy choices you were making to get back to ketosis
- try to find sugar-free medicine alternatives to take. there are some out there :-)

In any case, try not to let this derail you. Yes, it sucks, but it's not the end of the world, and you have a bunch of different (good) directions you can go from here on out!

Good luck and keep up the good work! :-)

I come off extremely pissy and arrogant throughout this thread, and I apologize for that. You couldn't have described what is going through my head better, and I truly appreciate this post. It wasn't sarcastic or demeaning in any way, shape, or form. Thank you for that.

pullipgirl

It's frustrating when all you want in your life is so close but yet so far. I can see why girls turn to eating disorders, this whole thing just makes me want to follow that damn Christian Bale diet of tuna an apple, and a multivitamin a day. I'm so tired of being fat and not looking lean and beautiful.

what??

tajmel

For many people, eating a very low carb diet feels a lot like being sick (fatigue, confusion, irritability, etc.) That may or may not be the case for you, but it's something to consider. Low-carbing isn't actually necessary (or IMO even helpful) for weight loss, but happiness, satiation, and energy level have a huge effect on dietary compliance. Also, being at a calorie deficit in general lowers the immune response somewhat. You should eat at maintenance until you're done being sick.

But yeah, I agree that cough syrup should have a nutrition label!

laceyfowler

I am a little concerned about the part where you said "all you want in your life is so close but yet so far..." etc. I really hope that losing weight isn't all that you want in your life, and that you're saying that because you're sick and frustrated and in a funk...

I hope there are other things in your life that make you happy, and other things that you are striving for, aside from losing weight. It is great to want to be fit and healthy, but please try to not base your entire self-worth on your weight - there's so much more to you than that :-) Good luck on your journey!

tsh0ck

it should be noted, too, that in no sense of the word are you fat.