Your diary isn't public, so I can't see it. Don't underestimate the need for sodium, potassium, and magnesium. I began to get leg cramps...as you describe, but has been better since supplementing with magnesium citrate capsules. I make sure to salt all of my food now too (something I've never done before this woe). Am sending you a friend request.

I'm sorry you are not feeling well right now KetoGirl ! I'm only under 3 weeks into my ZC journey, so far from being able to give advice, just hope you'll be feeling better soon. I generally feel great, have even energy levels all day, but have noticed that I am ready to sleep better at night, but not sure if the sleeping part is due to ZC.

I did sneak a few cherries and a bit of dark chocolate, but left it at that and have not had anything off plan other than that. I do supplement with magnesium and drink lots of water to help with the foot cramps, but have noticed that since I gave up avocado and spinach, my cramps have become worse on ZC, so I think I might be missing the potassium in those foods. I do salt all my food.

Hi KetoGirl--I'm sorry you're not feeling well and I wish I had the answer for you. Your diary and supplements look good to me. I'm 4 days shy of a month on ZC. I've lost 1 lb---on a good day. I have allowed some carbs sometimes, <10 esp for avocado for the fat and potassium. It sounds like you're missing salt, potassium, magnesium or something like that. I use electrolyte tablets much daily or I start to feel woozy and tired, like I could just melt into the floor. Maybe you need additional salt? There are others who I'm sure will respond who are way more knowledgeable than I. Best of luck to you, and congrats on your weight loss!

More beef, less ham. More fat in general. More food in general (there are a few days in there where your log shows only about 800 calories or somesuch, make sure you're listening to your hunger).

Make sure the bulk of your meat is fresh or fresh-frozen, not cured or dried, otherwise you lose a fair bit of the nutrients you need.

Doubtful it's a potassium issue, as both pork and beef have a fair bit of potassium. Could be a magnesium thing, though. It's not uncommon to have issues with magnesium when first starting/adjusting to this way of eating.

I'm surprised that he uses magnesium oxide in the Damage Control formula, and not magnesium citrate. That's interesting.

It could be a lot of things. You're not eating very much, that's going to impact things. Are you really eating as much as you want each day? You could add some fattier meats and cuts.

I don't think you'll need to add any electrolyte supplements for the cramps. I would cut out the probiotics. It's wasted money since most of those bacteria feed on starch, fiber, or sugars. You don't have any of those in your gut. The poor bacteria are being sent to die by starvation.

The fasting blood sugar is something I hear more about from the keto crowd. https://www.paleohacks.com/ketogenic/the-high-blood-glucose-dilemma-on-low-carb-lc-diets-14400

I personally don't experience that. My fasting blood glucose averages in the mid 80s. But, it's not unheard of.

In the end, eat more and wait it out.

I got so excited thinking about my Grandpa's sausage that I forgot to send you the links to recipes!

http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/2012/04/scotch-eggs-2.html

I just regular hard boiled my eggs - because my fiance doesn't like runny yolks at all...and I used a teensy bit of panko because I didn't have almond flour. I didn't bother with the egg wash, so they didn't get super crunchy, but were SO GOOD.

http://cavemanketo.com/scotch-eggs/

These are the bacon ones, but I didn't like them as much, but I think that is more due to the type of sausage I used!

Use farm fresh or good quality eggs for best results!!

Hey KetoGirl,
Sorry to hear things aren't going so well. Would it help to know I experienced the same thing? Well except for the fasting glucose thing. I don't check mine. But I had all the other observable symptoms.

I'm on roughly day 44 of zero carb.

I totally know that fatigue. It's not a normal tired, sleepy feeling is it? And it's really hard to wake up again especially if you let yourself have a nap.

The three things I did that I feel contributed to changing it somewhat:

Magnesium Citrate
MORE WATER
And... good ol mother nature.

Do you get your period? When did you have it last? Mine was a doozy during the first month of zero carb.

To be honest, I'll be watching your thread because I haven't fully recovered and it's almost time for the next one. The fatigue isn't as bad, but I don't have the energy I used to. I even stopped running & swimming and I was doing so well! I have been horrible about getting my magnesium every day so that might be it. The last two days I had horrible calf cramps and I NEVER get leg cramps. When I was swimming last week I got cramps in my feet each day. So that tells me my problem is likely mag, I guess. And I upped my salt a bit more.


Also if you're having bathroom problems, upping the fat could likely help that. Seems you should be getting more anyway, and that's one of the benefits. Animal fat, not coconut oil or butter. I don't know why it's different but it is. It definitely makes a difference in the plumbing department.

I sure hope you start to feel better soon. Although I'm with FIT-goat on this one. Try and wait it out. So far it's been working. Try tweaking things and see how you feel.

Good luck!

I have zero input on your actual problems, but as far as sausage goes, bulk chorizo is also delicious with eggs. I get mine from Sprouts, but I don't know what the actual ingredients are. I'm assuming just pork and spices. It is a nice spicy Mexican flavor, completely different than breakfast sausage or Italian sausage. You could make Mexican Scotch eggs