Carb Flu?
blueimp
Posts: 230 Member
Hi,
I've been eating organic/pastured foods cooked at home as much as I can afford for well over a year. Since November, I've been trying to move to far less carbs and with the New Year, decided it was time to "do this". Up until now, I've pretty much limited sweets to those naturally sweetened (agave went in November) to two 1/2 cup servings a day -- berries in season, apples and other fall fruits by halves (unless very small) as the season changed. What I'm saying is that most of my carbs already were in the form of veggies. Now that I'm down to one fruit a day and less veggies, NOW I'm experiencing horrible carb flu symptoms. I admit that both Saturday and Sunday I caved and ate honey-sweetened macaroons -- and felt wonderfully better. Thus I know I'm not sick.
How do you live through carb flu and work? The symptoms haven't kicked in yet today (thankfully), but I need some help getting past this when they do! Thanks.
(P.S. -- my diary is only open to friends, just so you know).
I've been eating organic/pastured foods cooked at home as much as I can afford for well over a year. Since November, I've been trying to move to far less carbs and with the New Year, decided it was time to "do this". Up until now, I've pretty much limited sweets to those naturally sweetened (agave went in November) to two 1/2 cup servings a day -- berries in season, apples and other fall fruits by halves (unless very small) as the season changed. What I'm saying is that most of my carbs already were in the form of veggies. Now that I'm down to one fruit a day and less veggies, NOW I'm experiencing horrible carb flu symptoms. I admit that both Saturday and Sunday I caved and ate honey-sweetened macaroons -- and felt wonderfully better. Thus I know I'm not sick.
How do you live through carb flu and work? The symptoms haven't kicked in yet today (thankfully), but I need some help getting past this when they do! Thanks.
(P.S. -- my diary is only open to friends, just so you know).
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Replies
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I remember it was a hard couple weeks, I almost gave up, third week in I increased my fat intake, much better!! I would suggest eating more fats, avocados, nuts, maybe some bacon, adjust your macros to higher fat and protein, that should make a difference, It worked for me
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During "carb flu" eat as much allowed foods as you want. Don't worry about calories until you're past the flu. Drink lots of water. A lot of the "flu" symptoms is sodium loss. If you're feeling light headed, drink some broth.0
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Also don't be afraid of fat. I felt so much better once I increased my fat. Also concentrate on the small things that start feeling better (ie sleeping better, less aches and pain, ect) rather than the things that are feeling bad (ie tired/grumpy ect).0
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You shouldn't need to limit carbs from veggies unless you're eating a ton of starchy ones. General guidelines are 50-100g carbs/day for weight loss, 100-150g/day for maintenance. Of course, different ball game if your aim is ketosis.
Be careful you're still getting enough fat and calories. I had carb flu from day 2 through 10, and I was also often hungry. Looking back, I was eating very little fat and not enough calories on top of reduced carbs. I felt terrible, headaches, lethargy, and grumpiness all that time. Then it was like a flip switched and I haven't had that since.
Hang in there.0 -
I second caribougal totally. I only had 2 days of carb flu because someone clued me in to the higher fat part. Once I did that, carb flu was gone. It was super easy to stay in the 75g range just by cutting juice, bananas and grains out. I kept all my green leafy veggies along with my tomato, cucumber and carrots.0
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Thanks everyone, this is helpful! I have already increased the protein and fat, but I'll try additional fat when I feel that way.0
