Low carb - nausea and getting enough calories

heatstedt
heatstedt Posts: 6 Member
edited November 18 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone,
I'm new (9 days) into a (prescribed) low carb diet, and am experiencing lots of nausea. Anyone have ways to get rid of it?

Also, I seem to be having trouble getting my minimum amount of calories/ day. I'm just not hungry.

Advice appreciated :)

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    We can't see your diary, what are you eating ? Are you following the prescribed diet or did they just set some targets.

    Increase your salt intake by 2-3 grams a day unless you have high blood pressure. This reduces light headedness / nausea which can be part of transitioning into a low carb diet (aka "Atkins Flu")
  • heatstedt
    heatstedt Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks yarwell, I will give that a try!

    They just set targets for me. I've been mostly eating green veg & meat, eggs, fish. I'm essentially on the induction phase of atkins, although they didn't want to label it that. After day 14 I will start to increase my carb intake through more veggies, fruit, etc.

  • AngInCanada
    AngInCanada Posts: 947 Member
    I had really bad nausea the first week....and headaches...and irritable. Come join us in the low carb group and ask. Lots of awesome people there. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group
  • gemberly
    gemberly Posts: 67 Member
    Sodium or broth. I put light salt on everything and take a magnesium supplement. If I start a feeling low on energy or funky I find it almost always helps. Been keto since mid January.
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  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
    Did your physician give you this diet? If so, you should let them know about the nausea and lack of appetite.
  • heatstedt
    heatstedt Posts: 6 Member
    Thank you, everyone! I added more salt and am feeling a bit better today :) I'm so glad I figured out this whole community thing. The support is fantastic!

    @AngInCanada I joined, thanks!

    @gemberley I'll try adding magnesium!

    @MrM27 I've been averaging 600-900 cal/day. I'm 5'10" so that's low, but I'm not used to eating so much meat/cheese and fats. (Former carb & sugar addict)

    @Tinabob777 I'll give that a shot!

    @strong_curves thanks - I had an appointment today, and my physician is thinking it's due to sugar withdrawal. Will go back in 5 weeks for follow up.
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  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
    When you say prescribed, is this under the supervision of a doctor? Your calories are way, way too low.
  • heatstedt
    heatstedt Posts: 6 Member
    Lol @MrM27 I know - that's why I asked my question. I'm having a hard time consuming enough calories with nausea. I wasn't trying to cut calories to that extreme.
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    missiontofitness wrote: »
    When you say prescribed, is this under the supervision of a doctor? Your calories are way, way too low.

    @heatstedt can you answer this?
  • Jaxxie1181
    Jaxxie1181 Posts: 138 Member
    Is it possible that eating only 600-900 calories per day you have surpassed the stage of hunger where you feel the cues such as hunger pangs and cravings and gone into full-blown starvation nausea? Like when it goes from stomach oriented hunger cues to an actual chemical issue, such as a serious drop in blood sugar?
  • heatstedt
    heatstedt Posts: 6 Member
    @missiontofitness @galgenstrick I am on a medically prescribed /supervised diet that is low carb. It is not low calorie. I should be consuming about 1300-1500cal/day, but I haven't been able to make myself eat that much because I feel nauseous. The past 2 days I've increased my sodium which seems to help with the nausea a bit. Today I had nearly 1200 calories.
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
    edited May 2015
    heatstedt wrote: »
    Lol @MrM27 I know - that's why I asked my question. I'm having a hard time consuming enough calories with nausea. I wasn't trying to cut calories to that extreme.

    Edit: Answered as I posted!
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    heatstedt wrote: »
    @missiontofitness @galgenstrick I am on a medically prescribed /supervised diet that is low carb. It is not low calorie. I should be consuming about 1300-1500cal/day, but I haven't been able to make myself eat that much because I feel nauseous. The past 2 days I've increased my sodium which seems to help with the nausea a bit. Today I had nearly 1200 calories.

    Thanks. Could you just be getting a bug, and it's just coincidental with your diet change?
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
    heatstedt wrote: »
    @missiontofitness @galgenstrick I am on a medically prescribed /supervised diet that is low carb. It is not low calorie. I should be consuming about 1300-1500cal/day, but I haven't been able to make myself eat that much because I feel nauseous. The past 2 days I've increased my sodium which seems to help with the nausea a bit. Today I had nearly 1200 calories.

    Good! I was going to say..if they're prescribing low carb AND a VLCD diet, I would run in the opposite direction.

    For the nausea, it could be anything; we aren't doctors, so sadly we can't help in that arena. I would say to keep doing what you're doing now, since it's helping you up your calories. Food wise, I would try to fit in as much protein and fat as your stomach can tolerate, since they can be more calorie dense and help you hit that daily goal. If you can stomach it, maybe try an omelet tomorrow with a few eggs and some turkey/ham folded in?

    Also, ginger ale with the carbonation stirred out (while not low in carbs), does wonders for an upset stomach!
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    missiontofitness wrote: »
    heatstedt wrote: »
    @missiontofitness @galgenstrick I am on a medically prescribed /supervised diet that is low carb. It is not low calorie. I should be consuming about 1300-1500cal/day, but I haven't been able to make myself eat that much because I feel nauseous. The past 2 days I've increased my sodium which seems to help with the nausea a bit. Today I had nearly 1200 calories.

    Good! I was going to say..if they're prescribing low carb AND a VLCD diet, I would run in the opposite direction.

    For the nausea, it could be anything; we aren't doctors, so sadly we can't help in that arena. I would say to keep doing what you're doing now, since it's helping you up your calories. Food wise, I would try to fit in as much protein and fat as your stomach can tolerate, since they can be more calorie dense and help you hit that daily goal. If you can stomach it, maybe try an omelet tomorrow with a few eggs and some turkey/ham folded in?

    Also, ginger ale with the carbonation stirred out (while not low in carbs), does wonders for an upset stomach!

    OMG, I know what's for breakfast tomorrow now. Thanks ;-)
  • heatstedt
    heatstedt Posts: 6 Member
    galgenstrick wrote: »
    heatstedt wrote: »
    @missiontofitness @galgenstrick I am on a medically prescribed /supervised diet that is low carb. It is not low calorie. I should be consuming about 1300-1500cal/day, but I haven't been able to make myself eat that much because I feel nauseous. The past 2 days I've increased my sodium which seems to help with the nausea a bit. Today I had nearly 1200 calories.

    Thanks. Could you just be getting a bug, and it's just coincidental with your diet change?

    That could be a possibility. My physician did tell me today if I'm still symptomatic in a few days, to return. Thanks!
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
    galgenstrick wrote: »
    missiontofitness wrote: »
    heatstedt wrote: »
    @missiontofitness @galgenstrick I am on a medically prescribed /supervised diet that is low carb. It is not low calorie. I should be consuming about 1300-1500cal/day, but I haven't been able to make myself eat that much because I feel nauseous. The past 2 days I've increased my sodium which seems to help with the nausea a bit. Today I had nearly 1200 calories.

    Good! I was going to say..if they're prescribing low carb AND a VLCD diet, I would run in the opposite direction.

    For the nausea, it could be anything; we aren't doctors, so sadly we can't help in that arena. I would say to keep doing what you're doing now, since it's helping you up your calories. Food wise, I would try to fit in as much protein and fat as your stomach can tolerate, since they can be more calorie dense and help you hit that daily goal. If you can stomach it, maybe try an omelet tomorrow with a few eggs and some turkey/ham folded in?

    Also, ginger ale with the carbonation stirred out (while not low in carbs), does wonders for an upset stomach!

    OMG, I know what's for breakfast tomorrow now. Thanks ;-)

    You are very welcome! I also suggest some thinly sliced pepper jack as well. :)
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    missiontofitness wrote: »
    galgenstrick wrote: »
    missiontofitness wrote: »
    heatstedt wrote: »
    @missiontofitness @galgenstrick I am on a medically prescribed /supervised diet that is low carb. It is not low calorie. I should be consuming about 1300-1500cal/day, but I haven't been able to make myself eat that much because I feel nauseous. The past 2 days I've increased my sodium which seems to help with the nausea a bit. Today I had nearly 1200 calories.

    Good! I was going to say..if they're prescribing low carb AND a VLCD diet, I would run in the opposite direction.

    For the nausea, it could be anything; we aren't doctors, so sadly we can't help in that arena. I would say to keep doing what you're doing now, since it's helping you up your calories. Food wise, I would try to fit in as much protein and fat as your stomach can tolerate, since they can be more calorie dense and help you hit that daily goal. If you can stomach it, maybe try an omelet tomorrow with a few eggs and some turkey/ham folded in?

    Also, ginger ale with the carbonation stirred out (while not low in carbs), does wonders for an upset stomach!

    OMG, I know what's for breakfast tomorrow now. Thanks ;-)

    You are very welcome! I also suggest some thinly sliced pepper jack as well. :)

    If I buy the pepper jack, I'm not sure if I can practice self control, it will be a good experiment.
  • SlimBride2Be
    SlimBride2Be Posts: 315 Member
    Do the broth a few times a day and it will pass. Try to bulk your meals up with hidden calories like extra fat that will up your calories a bit. And salt your food.
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