I have the hardest time with low carb diets.

Craving carbs and feeling tired should only be short term effects of a low carb diet. After a couple days of low carb, your body should switch to ketosis, which is the process where your body uses fat for energy (both stored and dietary) instead of carbohydrates. When your body is fat adapted, feeling tired, cravings, crankiness, etc should all dissipate. These symptoms should only last about a week. Since you still felt this way, I think your problem was that you were still eating too many carbs. If you're only consuming carbs from vegetables, and keeping your fat intake high enough, you should not feel the way you've felt previously.

Additionally, you should not feel miserable while losing weight. Maybe low carb isn't the diet for you. Maybe your body does well on low carb because you aren't eating something else - possibly gluten or sugar. If you are unwilling to try what I suggested above, I would instead experiment with removing these two things. Possibly try a gluten-free diet, or a sugar free diet (not at the same time). These don't have to necessarily be low carb. It's possible to have success with these two options and not be as miserable as you were on a low-carb diet.

Good luck.

I will agree with the previous posters, you should not feel crabby or have craving on low carb. I was amazed what a difference eating enough healthy fats. It was definitely a switch in my thinking. My favorites are avocados, coconut oil (to cook with), olive oil (to drizzle on top or for salad dressings), grass-fed butter, ghee, and coconut milk. I don't LOVE the coconut flavor so I get refined coconut oil to it just adds a richness to my dishes without being coconut flavor and I use the milk sparingly.

I also agree with looking at different diet plans, maybe this one isn't for you. Good luck!!! Congrats on taking a step in the right direction!!!

What do you mean by low carb? How low was it? Were you counting everything with a tool like MFP? What did your macros look like? How much of a deficit of Calories were you eating at?

As already said, I think you may have been eating too many carbs to see the actual benefit of a low carb diet. I also think you may not have been getting enough fat.

Yes, a lot of the initial weight loss on a low carb diet is water weight, but there is so much more that happens when you properly adapt to ketosis. You actually get MORE energy and are LESS irritable and depressed. Your body does not crave sweet things (you will probably find the taste disgusting). Your body will also be more ready to burn your stored fat for energy use since it is using ketones (from fat) for energy in many places it used glucose (typically from carbs). Hunger basically ceases to be a problem in most people.

Yes, Calorie deficit is generally a part of the weight loss, but low carb diets affect the amount of Calories you eat. It's a biological system you are trying to influence. For most people, what you eat >affects> how much you want to eat >which affects> how much you do eat >which affects> your weight. Change what you eat and you can affect your weight. This is a nice strategy for a lot of people.

Btw. Ketosis is unnecessary for fat loss.

http://www.weightology.net/weightologyweekly/?page_id=319 


"Now, you may be wondering why refined carbohydrates can be a problem.  Many people think it’s due to the rapid spikes in insulin.  However, it’s obviously not the insulin, because protein can cause rapid spikes in insulin as well.  One problem with refined carbohydrate is a problem of energy density.  With refined carbohydrate, it is easier to pack a lot of calories into a small package.  Not only that, but foods with high energy density are often not as satiating as foods with low energy density.  In fact, when it comes to high-carbohydrate foods, energy density is a strong predictor of a food’s ability to create satiety (i.e., low-energy density foods create more satiety).  There are other issues with refined carbohydrate as well that are beyond the scope of this article.

The bottom line is that insulin doesn’t deserve the bad reputation it’s been given.  It’s one of the main reasons why protein helps reduce hunger.  You will get insulin spikes even on a low-carb, high-protein diet.  Rather than worrying about insulin, you should worry about whatever diet works the best for you in regards to satiety and sustainability. "

ETA: the main point is. Do what works best for YOU. But one way is not superior to the other

As long as you're eating enough protein for your specific lean body mass and not exceeding it, the protein is not going to cause an increase in insulin. It's the excess protein that turns into glucose and causing the insulin spike.

Here's a great thread that explains the keto diet in depth including the research behind it.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1226809-the-ketogenic-diet-review-information-you-needed

What do you mean by low carb? How low was it? Were you counting everything with a tool like MFP? What did your macros look like? How much of a deficit of Calories were you eating at?

As already said, I think you may have been eating too many carbs to see the actual benefit of a low carb diet. I also think you may not have been getting enough fat.

Yes, a lot of the initial weight loss on a low carb diet is water weight, but there is so much more that happens when you properly adapt to ketosis. You actually get MORE energy and are LESS irritable and depressed. Your body does not crave sweet things (you will probably find the taste disgusting). Your body will also be more ready to burn your stored fat for energy use since it is using ketones (from fat) for energy in many places it used glucose (typically from carbs). Hunger basically ceases to be a problem in most people.

Yes, Calorie deficit is generally a part of the weight loss, but low carb diets affect the amount of Calories you eat. It's a biological system you are trying to influence. For most people, what you eat >affects> how much you want to eat >which affects> how much you do eat >which affects> your weight. Change what you eat and you can affect your weight. This is a nice strategy for a lot of people.

Btw. Ketosis is unnecessary for fat loss.

http://www.weightology.net/weightologyweekly/?page_id=319 


"Now, you may be wondering why refined carbohydrates can be a problem.  Many people think it’s due to the rapid spikes in insulin.  However, it’s obviously not the insulin, because protein can cause rapid spikes in insulin as well.  One problem with refined carbohydrate is a problem of energy density.  With refined carbohydrate, it is easier to pack a lot of calories into a small package.  Not only that, but foods with high energy density are often not as satiating as foods with low energy density.  In fact, when it comes to high-carbohydrate foods, energy density is a strong predictor of a food’s ability to create satiety (i.e., low-energy density foods create more satiety).  There are other issues with refined carbohydrate as well that are beyond the scope of this article.

The bottom line is that insulin doesn’t deserve the bad reputation it’s been given.  It’s one of the main reasons why protein helps reduce hunger.  You will get insulin spikes even on a low-carb, high-protein diet.  Rather than worrying about insulin, you should worry about whatever diet works the best for you in regards to satiety and sustainability. "

ETA: the main point is. Do what works best for YOU. But one way is not superior to the other

What do you mean by low carb? How low was it? Were you counting everything with a tool like MFP? What did your macros look like? How much of a deficit of Calories were you eating at?

As already said, I think you may have been eating too many carbs to see the actual benefit of a low carb diet. I also think you may not have been getting enough fat.

Yes, a lot of the initial weight loss on a low carb diet is water weight, but there is so much more that happens when you properly adapt to ketosis. You actually get MORE energy and are LESS irritable and depressed. Your body does not crave sweet things (you will probably find the taste disgusting). Your body will also be more ready to burn your stored fat for energy use since it is using ketones (from fat) for energy in many places it used glucose (typically from carbs). Hunger basically ceases to be a problem in most people.

Yes, Calorie deficit is generally a part of the weight loss, but low carb diets affect the amount of Calories you eat. It's a biological system you are trying to influence. For most people, what you eat >affects> how much you want to eat >which affects> how much you do eat >which affects> your weight. Change what you eat and you can affect your weight. This is a nice strategy for a lot of people.

Btw. Ketosis is unnecessary for fat loss.

http://www.weightology.net/weightologyweekly/?page_id=319 


"Now, you may be wondering why refined carbohydrates can be a problem.  Many people think it’s due to the rapid spikes in insulin.  However, it’s obviously not the insulin, because protein can cause rapid spikes in insulin as well.  One problem with refined carbohydrate is a problem of energy density.  With refined carbohydrate, it is easier to pack a lot of calories into a small package.  Not only that, but foods with high energy density are often not as satiating as foods with low energy density.  In fact, when it comes to high-carbohydrate foods, energy density is a strong predictor of a food’s ability to create satiety (i.e., low-energy density foods create more satiety).  There are other issues with refined carbohydrate as well that are beyond the scope of this article.

The bottom line is that insulin doesn’t deserve the bad reputation it’s been given.  It’s one of the main reasons why protein helps reduce hunger.  You will get insulin spikes even on a low-carb, high-protein diet.  Rather than worrying about insulin, you should worry about whatever diet works the best for you in regards to satiety and sustainability. "

ETA: the main point is. Do what works best for YOU. But one way is not superior to the other

When did I say ketogenic diets are necessary? Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying. People can do whatever they want. OP just said she had a hard time on a low carb diet, I'm trying to help her not have a hard time.

To defend ketogenic diets: there's a lot to respond to but I'll respond to your quote at least. Ketogenic diets are not high protein for the reason you are describing. Also, there is more that ketogenic diets target than satiety. The satiety does come from the food, but it also comes from the conversion of body fat to ketones to provide energy. This article is quite an oversimplification of the argument it is trying to attack. The proposal is that ketogenic diets are healthy, not that insulin is evil.

Healthy is what works best for a person. I'm not going to spend one second feeling like crap when moderation works just fine. That's ultimately the point.

If OP has tried and failed keto. Perhaps she should try alternative routes. I'm not saying your route might not work but it is not the only route to the exact same ends.

When did I say ketogenic diets are necessary? Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying. People can do whatever they want. OP just said she had a hard time on a low carb diet, I'm trying to help her not have a hard time.

To defend ketogenic diets: there's a lot to respond to but I'll respond to your quote at least. Ketogenic diets are not high protein for the reason you are describing. Also, there is more that ketogenic diets target than satiety. The satiety does come from the food, but it also comes from the conversion of body fat to ketones to provide energy. This article is quite an oversimplification of the argument it is trying to attack. The proposal is that ketogenic diets are healthy, not that insulin is evil.

Healthy is what works best for a person. I'm not going to spend one second feeling like crap when moderation works just fine. That's ultimately the point.

If OP has tried and failed keto. Perhaps she should try alternative routes. I'm not saying your route might not work but it is not the only route to the exact same ends.

A. It does not make you feel like crap. It makes you feel great.

B. OP probably didn't do keto properly. We are trying to figure it out, but those symptoms sound like what we've been discussing.

C. It's still up to the person. I think it's great and would help a lot of people, but it isn't necessary or for everyone. Again, OP probably didn't do things correctly and we are here to help.

Oh, you know me?

Eating a low carb intake, does in fact make me feel badly. It's why I eat quite a bit of carbs. Because carbs aren't the enemy. They are a source of energy. I feel wonderful with carbs. This is where the "it's an individual thing" comes into play.

I'll be enjoying my lovely carbs now

http://www.lookgreatnaked.com/blog/low-carb-vs-balanced-diets-the-debate-rages-on/

Carbs aren't bad. Eat them. Just don't eat bad ones like plain ole white bread and pasta

Errr white bread isn't bad and pasta is DEFINITELY not bad. It's actually delicious.

It's hard because your body needs carbs for energy and it's your body's preferred energy source.

There are people on this site who prefer low carb diets and I personally see nothing wrong with it, so long as you remember that you still need to count calories.

Try counting calories instead and stick to the IIFYM method. You can eat anything you want but your daily goal is to meet your carb, protein and fat goals for the day. There are plenty of threads on this site that go into more detail about this,check it out.

OP it's perfectly possible that what has worked in the past won't work with your current lifestyle (12 hours shifts in Labor ward while tired doesn't sound like fun for you!).

Maybe just try something different for a few weeks and see how you feel? Lots of good suggestions here, from people who know far more than I do, but perhaps try working around something which is structured around convenient mini-meals or snacks where you can get the macros/calories you need but in smaller portions you can easily grab when you get a chance?

Good luck!

Why would you stick to it if you made you feel so crappy? You probably liked the "faster" weight loss. I've done low carb before and it always made me feel great and high energy. I never had the adjustment period where your body isn't quite in ketosis, but not getting its carbs either. Were you eating a lot of sugar alcohols and the "low carb" products? That could have prevented you from really going into ketosis or you were "sneaking" in carbs, like just having a few chips here and a piece of chocolate there.

And so I'm not misunderstood, I'm not saying ketosis is the only way to lose fat as some others like to twist words in this thread apparently.

I would either really do low carb or try just doing low calorie. If you use MFP, you will see that if you are within your allotment of carbs, you mostly likely are at about your calorie allotment for the day. I would NEVER have believed that I was eating a lower amount of calories while eating low carb, but sure enough...I was.

I will add MY experience. I used low carb to lose 90 pounds. Got pregnant and gained A LOT back. I've been struggling ever since to try to do overall calorie deficit. Then I get frustrated because I'm hungry and I eat Cheetos and then some cheese and then a granola bar and bam...there's almost 400 calories. I've been trying to take what I've learned while doing low carb (getting in my protein and eating fats to keep me full) into low calorie. It's been a struggle obviously. While doing low calorie its hard for me to eat a doughnut, but then really watch the other things I eat throughout the day. It's almost easier for ME to just not eat it at all which is what I did on low carb. It's different for everybody in what is "easier". However, the fact that you were always cravin carbs and short with your family...it might not have been easier for you. Feel free to PM or friend me .

Oh, you know me?

Eating a low carb intake, does in fact make me feel badly. It's why I eat quite a bit of carbs. Because carbs aren't the enemy. They are a source of energy. I feel wonderful with carbs. This is where the "it's an individual thing" comes into play.

I'll be enjoying my lovely carbs now

"Low carb" is a vague term so attacking "low carb" for making you feel bad is a bit of a straw man. I am not saying that the vague "low carb" diets make you feel better. I am saying a diet that produces ketosis and is properly getting correct amounts of macros, micros, water, etc. will probably make you feel better. Maybe it won't. There are certain people that can't do this. It isn't for everybody. Particularly, we know that severe alcoholics and certain diabetics may get into ketoacidosis.

I have a feeling that you weren't on a proper ketogenic diet. Again, this is just a specific strategy for health and weight loss, but it isn't a good argument to attack the strategy when you aren't getting the strategy right.

You speak as if everyone who actually does or tries a low carb diet and actually goes low carb feels the way you say they will. Not true.

No for most people what you eat affects how much weight you lose. Calories determine that.

You can't speak in absolutes as if everyone will be successful on the same plan and it doesn't work that way. Low carb is not going to make someone lose more fat than a moderate/high carb diet. Again, caloric deficit.

I'm not speaking in absolutes. I'm saying it works for some people, but if you're going to do it, make sure you it correctly. Insisting that you should only focus on Calorie deficit is bad framing to the question.

Sorry but you are wrong. Protein does cause an insulin spike and sometimes even greater than carbs will. Excess protein will be excreted.

Yes, and there is an amount of protein and carbs you can eat and be in ketosis. What is your point?

Carbs aren't bad. Eat them. Just don't eat bad ones like plain ole white bread and pasta

Whaaaat! :frown:

Dieting doesn't have to be hell, eat what you normally would but just less of it, track your weight over a month and adjust accordingly.

If you go from slightly overeating to starving you'll never stick to it..

I have an active job and would seroiusly flag on a low carb diet!.

You may be lacking elecrolytes. With low carb, the carb flu happens and you can make the symptoms less through upping sodium AND potassium AND magnesium. So I would suggest giving that a try, along with upping your water intake. IF you want to try low carb again. This is something that can be done and it can be successful. I myself am on keto, and have lost 30 lbs of weight that would not budge on a traditional diet of high carbs and low fat.