Carb Flu (for low-carbers only please)
MissKim
Posts: 2,853 Member
The hardest part to transition over to the low-carb lifestyle (whether it be paleo/primal/atkins/southbeach etc) is getting over the initial carb flu. I know I struggle every week trying to get over this hump. I do so good for a week, and then mess is up, I fall to the cravings for sugar. Once I mess up, it's such a struggle to get back on track. Ofcourse the good is outweighing the bad right now b/c I'm losing weight, but I would love to get over this once and for all! I want the cravings to be completely gone! I feel like I'm just in this horrible cycle. For those of you that have gotten over the initial parts and made it to where I'm trying to go, do you have any advice or tips on how to do this? any suggestions??
***If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all*** aka if you are not here to answer my questions and offer real advice then don't comment.
***If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all*** aka if you are not here to answer my questions and offer real advice then don't comment.
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Replies
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my real advice is to implement a more balanced eating plan. The symptoms you are describing are a red flag that your body isn't getting the balanced nutrition it wants. :flowerforyou: best wishes...0
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I'll probably get flamed for this, but-- go 2 weeks meat only, then slowly add veggies back in over a 2 week period, then a little fruit over the following month. Life's just easier when you only have to worry about 1 food group. I did it on Whole 30, and my body adjusted after about 4 days of utter storm clouded foggy-headedness.0
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Been there and done that. Things that helped: high protein, lots of water, chewing gum, getting up and walking around (relieves anxiety attributed to not eating my carb cravings away), a fiance that doesn't eat carbs either (so none really in the house), and a big batch of stubborn.
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Your body is learning to work a different way, .. it learning to go from burning Sugar to burning fat ... So.. it get better once your body realizes what your doing - but you need to be faithful to Low Carbing for 2 weeks 100%... then a cheat meal won't be so bad .. I recommend a cheat meal, not a cheat day.
think of it like a Proppeller Boat... how how would it be if you suddenly decided to change directions ... to get those Propellers to start moving the other direction it would take a lot of force and effort - the same with your body and low carbing.
Also know your low carb foods - and stop worrying about counting calories for the first week or so... just eat low carb.. focus your attention on one thing at a time - then move forward! Your going to need more calories (*edit typo) than normal because your are learning to burn fat - so you have to eat fat which is generally higher in calories - onec you get the low carb part down, you can then move to leaner meats and veggies! You can do this.. just stay focused.0 -
my real advice is to implement a more balanced eating plan. The symptoms you are describing are a red flag that your body isn't getting the balanced nutrition it wants. :flowerforyou: best wishes...
what part of for low carbers only couldn't you read??? no, it's a red flag that my body is freakin addicted to sugars!!! and I'm pretty sure that I eat balanced nutrition. meat, veggies, healthy fats??? what part of that isn't balanced?? the doritoes and strawberry shortcake are not part of a balanced nutrition!0 -
I was told chicken broth helps with that.0
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my real advice is to implement a more balanced eating plan. The symptoms you are describing are a red flag that your body isn't getting the balanced nutrition it wants. :flowerforyou: best wishes...
I agree here. Some of the aspects of low carbing are worthwhile (i.e. cutting out white refined foods and those that are high on the glycemic index) but I think achieving some balance between carbs and protein and fat is a good goal in of itself.
Good luck......I struggle daily with my carb consumption, so I feel your pain. Not necessarily low carbing it in any sense, but always trying to reduce. Hang in there....and maybe lighten up a little, the person I quoted was only giving you kind advice and wishing you the best. No harm in that. 0 -
I know what you mean, but If you go back to low carb by using whole grained carbs you should feel better (less cravings).
I do very low carb most of the time, and if I have carbs they are normally whole grain.0 -
people, I'm not asking for advice on my diet! I'm asking for suggestions and advice on getting through the carb flu. if you don't eat low carb and you don't know what i'm talking about please move along. I knew better that to post a real question in here. okay, ignoring all the rest of the judgemental people.
for the people actually answering my questions, thank you, I've seen some really awesome answers!!0 -
my real advice is to implement a more balanced eating plan. The symptoms you are describing are a red flag that your body isn't getting the balanced nutrition it wants. :flowerforyou: best wishes...
what part of for lowcarbers only please and ***If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all*** aka if you are not here to answer my questions and offer real advice then don't comment. did you not understand??????
i mean really. she is asking for advise on things while DOING a low carb diet not whether or not to do.
now to the original poster i just take it easy and ride it through it goes away fast enough and then i always feel better than ever. Now for me it barely last a day . if it is lasting you a long time it is possible this is not what your body responds to.
Now for me i do fantasic feel amazing eating this way, my mom tried it because i do so well did not do so well for her.
its not the right method for everyone , depends on your individual body chemistry. If its right for you give it a few days and you should feel better than ever, with tons of energy and very little hunger0 -
Not sure this helps any: it took me more time to get over the "flu" this time around than when I had previously done Atkins -- though I was much younger then! (I'm following a generic South Beach-ish WoE now). We're talking a good few weeks of being really strict carb-wise before the cravings had vanished.
I still need to watch it with regard to making sure I eat snacks throughout the day. Problem for me is I forget to eat -- or wait until I'm ravenous -- and it's always a huge mistake. If I miss eating something, I'll be regretting it -- with low blood sugar and insatiable appetite rearing its ugly head. And, in turn, making me want to over-eat. I find the snacks are imperative to making it work for myself. Curbs the hunger, which prevents going on binges.0 -
Your body is learning to work a different way, .. it learning to go from burning Sugar to burning fat ... So.. it get better once your body realizes what your doing - but you need to be faithful to Low Carbing for 2 weeks 100%... then a cheat meal won't be so bad .. I recommend a cheat meal, not a cheat day.
think of it like a Proppeller Boat... how how would it be if you suddenly decided to change directions ... to get those Propellers to start moving the other direction it would take a lot of force and effort - the same with your body and low carbing.
Also know your low carb foods - and stop worrying about counting calories for the first week or so... just eat low carb.. focus your attention on one thing at a time - then move forward! Your going to need more calories (*edit typo) than normal because your are learning to burn fat - so you have to eat fat which is generally higher in calories - onec you get the low carb part down, you can then move to leaner meats and veggies! You can do this.. just stay focused.
awesome analogy, thanks!!! I do great on eating most of the time, but i get so mad at myself when i do indulge in a craving. it doesn't mess me up for the week, but it does start the process all over. i know i need to get through a few weeks before i cheat in any way.0 -
Two things helped me:
1. I read scary things about sugar, and I kept them nearby whenever I would crave it. [Cutting refined carbs is important too (which I'm assuming you're doing) because they trigger cravings also.]
2. I did not limit my calories (or anything else besides sugar/carbs) at first. I ate to my heart's desire which means I ate a lot of fat - bacon, cheese, nuts, avocados, etc . (I still lost weight though - for a few weeks anyway, and then started to gain it back, but by then I was over the hump.) I think it's hard enough to cut out sugar/carbs without also having to worry about limiting calories. Do one thing at a time. Another example, I didn't work-out much either. I just concentrated on getting rid of the cravings. It took about 3 weeks in total, but even after 10 days, it was much easier. Oh - I slept a lot!
Good luck!0 -
people, I'm not asking for advice on my diet! I'm asking for suggestions and advice on getting through the carb flu. if you don't eat low carb and you don't know what i'm talking about please move along. I knew better that to post a real question in here. okay, ignoring all the rest of the judgemental people.
for the people actually answering my questions, thank you, I've seen some really awesome answers!!
WOW, I don't think anyone has judged you for your question or lifestyle...and posting something in the forums does open up the lines of communication for all kinds of opinions/viewpoints/advice. As a former low carber, I DO know what you are talking about, and my only advice would be to find some balance. THAT IS ALL. HAVE A NICE DAY.0 -
people, I'm not asking for advice on my diet! I'm asking for suggestions and advice on getting through the carb flu. if you don't eat low carb and you don't know what i'm talking about please move along. I knew better that to post a real question in here. okay, ignoring all the rest of the judgemental people.
for the people actually answering my questions, thank you, I've seen some really awesome answers!!
WOW, I don't think anyone has judged you for your question or lifestyle...and posting something in the forums does open up the lines of communication for all kinds of opinions/viewpoints/advice. As a former low carber, I DO know what you are talking about, and my only advice would be to find some balance. THAT IS ALL. HAVE A NICE DAY.0 -
I have been low carb for a few years now. But I still eat fruits and nuts and dairy so I am not sure how restrictive your diet is but kudos to you for working through it.
Sometimes to get over my humps I do mini goals. So instead of saying ok im cutting out bread or cutting out this or that, i say ok for 2 weeks straight this is all I am going to eat and I plan my meals. But the lucky thing is I don't live with anyone so I control what I have in my fridge and I never never never keep anything carby in my place.0 -
pretty much same here no carbs in the house, as for the cravings, i think it is human nature, i can never get rid of mine either.. gum pretty much sums it up for meBeen there and done that. Things that helped: high protein, lots of water, chewing gum, getting up and walking around (relieves anxiety attributed to not eating my carb cravings away), a fiance that doesn't eat carbs either (so none really in the house), and a big batch of stubborn.0 -
awesome analogy, thanks!!! I do great on eating most of the time, but i get so mad at myself when i do indulge in a craving. it doesn't mess me up for the week, but it does start the process all over. i know i need to get through a few weeks before i cheat in any way.
Yea if you can just get through the first 2 weeks with no cheats, then your body generally knows how to work and can handle a cheat meal - You just need to stick it out for 2 weeks...
How low carb are you doing? I stay between (well except recently ..urgh) 50-75 carbs a day... and I use Chocolate Fiber Bars to calm my cravings or Sugar Free Reese's Cups - they have about 7 carbs in them... so they are under my limit. Also I make sure to pack my lunch with LOTS of fresh veggies I can snack on, as a lot of the time the "crunch" of a veggie calms my cravings. And if you get sweet tooths, try the new Mio Water Enhancer, but put 1 extra drop in and it sweetens the water so that it craves the sweet tooth.0 -
And on that happy note...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSNhk5ICTI
OMG! IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!
What does it MEAN?!0 -
I would like to know too, I made it through 2 days of only getting carbs and sugars from berries and veggies then yesterday I caved in, my head hurt real bad, but I started over again today and so far so good!0
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It's apparent that low carbs is making you people cranky.... Sheesh!0
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Haha - I feel your pain (even have a little disclaimer on my signature too ;-) ANYWHO have you been using artificial sweeteners? I read that they can cause you to crave sugar/carbs - that they signal your body that they are coming. Whenever I've low carbed, I find that after about 5 days my cravings disappear. I'm doing the 17 day diet right now and I have zero cravings. ZERO. It's hard to even eat enough to get 1200 cals. And I've been pretty good cheat wise (maybe 5 instances in 27 days). Oh, and maybe don't even go near alcohol! Everything goes out the window! I found that tequila doesn't seem to affect it (a very scientific experiment) however, the hangover killed me because I would eat everything in site. Good luck and I hope you keep on losing!!!!0
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my real advice is to implement a more balanced eating plan. The symptoms you are describing are a red flag that your body isn't getting the balanced nutrition it wants. :flowerforyou: best wishes...
what part of for lowcarbers only please and ***If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all*** aka if you are not here to answer my questions and offer real advice then don't comment. did you not understand??????
i mean really. she is asking for advise on things while DOING a low carb diet not whether or not to do.
now to the original poster i just take it easy and ride it through it goes away fast enough and then i always feel better than ever. Now for me it barely last a day . if it is lasting you a long time it is possible this is not what your body responds to.
Now for me i do fantasic feel amazing eating this way, my mom tried it because i do so well did not do so well for her.
its not the right method for everyone , depends on your individual body chemistry. If its right for you give it a few days and you should feel better than ever, with tons of energy and very little hunger
Thanks for having my back. I probably would lighten up if I didn't have to defend my lifestyle every single day like I'm doing crack or something! lol. i didn't know eating clean foods was so bad for you!
It is the right way of eating for me. I am insulin resistant and the one time I actually made it long enough without cheating I felt soooo great!! It's just so hard for me to make it that far. I seem to make it for awhile and then mess it all up by binging on some type of sugar/starchy carb. I swear it's the devil. I think my cravings are so bad b/c my sugar is so messed up. Ironic b/c if I could just get through the beginning stuff it would help my sugar so much!
Thanks for the advice0 -
everyone has something to say about everyone else
just do what works for you
whenever I tell people I dont eat carbs they look at me and say "oh noo I could never do that" awesome, well just telling you what *I* do
I have tried the "balanced" dieting and I don't lose any weight. Just gotta do what works for YOU and YOUR body so I get being defensive because after a while it gets so annoying
but honestly I still do diet drinks and splenda but the cravings arent there anymore but its more because I am committed
I quit smoking cold turkey and its the same idea - its mental. Just do this for yourself and it gets easier
but if its hard and you want a pizza etc - just get a low carb tortilla and low fat cheese!0 -
let's just ignore them, maybe they'll go away...
I'm trying to eat under 50 grams of carbs. Honestly I think it's just my lack of will power mixed in with my boyfriend still buying me sweets b/c he knows i like candy. even though i've told him not too. and then i'm craving it, so it's hard to say no. I just need to get determined, make up my mind to stick to it, and just do it. much easier said than done right? but it is nice to hear from people that have done it, and I've heard some great ideas that I've never thought to try.0 -
if I didn't have to defend my lifestyle every single day like I'm doing crack or something!
Shhh! Don't let them know about our crack. Everyone will want to do it. Ask yourself if you REALLY want everyone at OUR party :P
http://theprimalpantry.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/primal-non-dairy-crack-creamer/0 -
I'm about to embark on a new adventure. My Naturopath is giving me a natural antibiotic and if I consume refined sugars I will get physically ill AKA throw up so that should be fun. I'm taking it for a month so it will be easy to stay away from refined carbs and sugars which I mostly do now I just won't be able to cheat. I'm pretty excited.
To the origional poster. Stop defending yourself just say When I eat this way it makes me feel good and it's not any one else's business. My mom calls me an "Earth Muffin" because of my lifestyle and eating habits. I just think its funny
Have a good day 0 -
my real advice is to implement a more balanced eating plan. The symptoms you are describing are a red flag that your body isn't getting the balanced nutrition it wants. :flowerforyou: best wishes...
what part of for lowcarbers only please and ***If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all*** aka if you are not here to answer my questions and offer real advice then don't comment. did you not understand??????
i mean really. she is asking for advise on things while DOING a low carb diet not whether or not to do.
now to the original poster i just take it easy and ride it through it goes away fast enough and then i always feel better than ever. Now for me it barely last a day . if it is lasting you a long time it is possible this is not what your body responds to.
Now for me i do fantasic feel amazing eating this way, my mom tried it because i do so well did not do so well for her.
its not the right method for everyone , depends on your individual body chemistry. If its right for you give it a few days and you should feel better than ever, with tons of energy and very little hunger
Thanks for having my back. I probably would lighten up if I didn't have to defend my lifestyle every single day like I'm doing crack or something! lol. i didn't know eating clean foods was so bad for you!
It is the right way of eating for me. I am insulin resistant and the one time I actually made it long enough without cheating I felt soooo great!! It's just so hard for me to make it that far. I seem to make it for awhile and then mess it all up by binging on some type of sugar/starchy carb. I swear it's the devil. I think my cravings are so bad b/c my sugar is so messed up. Ironic b/c if I could just get through the beginning stuff it would help my sugar so much!
Thanks for the advice
its not just defendign the lifestyle. but really if it was a general title post and someone came on saying oo its bad dont do it , annoying but okay whatever,
but when the tittle says low carbers only and they just can't seem to pass up an oppertutinty. it really annoys me.
there are alot of post about things that i dont agree with on here, i just tend to say . okay not my interest ,or not the how i do it , and do this really bizzare thing.....
I PASS THE THREAD BY ..... hmmmm didnt you know you could do that did ya? yep folks thats right you CAN just NOT read posts.1 -
5 hour energies, coffee and advil liquid gels worked for my headaches... prob not the best health wise, but I figure doing it for a few days wouldn't hurt all that much.0
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everyone has something to say about everyone else
just do what works for you
whenever I tell people I dont eat carbs they look at me and say "oh noo I could never do that" awesome, well just telling you what *I* do
I have tried the "balanced" dieting and I don't lose any weight. Just gotta do what works for YOU and YOUR body so I get being defensive because after a while it gets so annoying
but honestly I still do diet drinks and splenda but the cravings arent there anymore but its more because I am committed
I quit smoking cold turkey and its the same idea - its mental. Just do this for yourself and it gets easier
but if its hard and you want a pizza etc - just get a low carb tortilla and low fat cheese!
same here girl, i know i get a bit too defensive, but it's really sad i can't even post a question, with the above label, and i still get people coming and judging. it's really sad. i don't go jumping on vegan posts telling them how unhealthy it is to not eat meat. I respect everybody's different lifestyles. but this is what works for me, and i shouldn't have to keep defending it all the time. i too still drink some water with flavoring. i just don't think i can give it up, b/c i hate hate hate the taste of water
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