Feeling Crappy after Eating Healthy

elenjay140
elenjay140 Posts: 28 Member
edited November 13 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi - I'm on Day 3 of eating very clean and healthy. No sugar, high veggies and protein. I've got a dull headache, somewhat nauseous, and felt shaky last night.

I'm sure my body is just crashing from the sugar and processed food addiction, and I've read it can take a week or more for your body to adjust...but I'm just looking for some encouragement that others out there have felt crummy after starting to eat healthy!
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Replies

  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,745 Member
    How much are you eating? As in how many calories? You might be undereating.

    When I eat "healthy" (read: more fruit and veg, fewer biscuits, cakes, crisps) it makes me feel better, not worse. But eating too little makes me feel the way you describe.
  • leooftheyear
    leooftheyear Posts: 429 Member
    by 'no sugar' do you mean no processed sugar (e.g. sugar in coffee, candy or soda)?
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,172 Member
    I was going to say the same thing as Jane. If you cut caffeine then that is the most likely culprit. And if you are not eating enough calories then that could also cause you to feel weak and just not good. FWIW, I lost weight by reducing my calorie intake. I didn't give up any of the foods I liked in order to lose weight.
  • crzycatlady1
    crzycatlady1 Posts: 1,930 Member
    edited December 2016
    You posted this same question already, so I'll ask again-is there a medical reason why you're eliminating sugar and making such drastic changes to what you're eating?
  • kschwab0203
    kschwab0203 Posts: 610 Member
    It took me about 2 weeks to fully adjust to the changes I made in my diet.
  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,745 Member
    kschwab0203 wrote: »
    It took me about 2 weeks to fully adjust to the changes I made in my diet.

    Same here, but hunger was my main issue - I don't recognise the general malaise and misery the OP describes.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited December 2016
    Are you eating enough?

    Also, sounds a bit like low carb "flu"...there's lots of healthy "clean" carbs out there and more to healthy eating than just veggies.
  • akmomof7
    akmomof7 Posts: 162 Member
    Sounds like a reaction to drastically cutting carbs. If you weren't looking to go low carb, add back in some beans, dairy products, fruits, starchy vegetables and whole grains. No need to cut out any particular food to eat "healthy ".
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,746 Member
    When I did Atkins, the first week was always hardest, then I got used to not eating sugar and didn't really miss it. On the forum people talked about the low carb flu. It does pass. If you are getting enough calories, making sure you drink enough water and are sleeping, then I wouldn't worry about it.
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    edited December 2016
    I felt weak and shaky for a bit i added potatoes to my diet and it helped a ton. Not sure if it was a certain nutrient lacking or low carbs but i felt horrid. Try adding everythign back and taking smaller baby steps maybe. Lower sugar, If that feels fine lower carbs. See what the culprit is.

    Or you could...you know...CICO. Eat everything just less of it. What most people here preach :P Generally avoids deficiencies if you do it smartly. Your body needs fats and carbs.
  • not_my_first_rodeo
    not_my_first_rodeo Posts: 311 Member
    Are you getting sugar from things like fruits and vegetables? How many calories are you taking in?
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    You can't get addicted to sugar, and processed food is a vague term. Maybe you are imagining this, expecting to feel bad from what you have read? Or maybe you are getting sick, a virus or something. Because eating healthily doesn't make you feel sick. Eating clean means nothing. Not eating sugar means not eating fruit, vegetables or dairy, so this doesn't make sense. Are you eating enough? Have you reduced calorie intake - by how much? Have you cut down on caffeine? Have you replaced soda with - nothing?
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    You don't have to eat entirely 'clean' or 'healthy'. Personally, for me, I prefer the 80/20 'rule' loosely, as in, I mostly have nutritious foods to make my macros then enjoy the rest with my favorite treats/foods. I restarted eating at a deficit around 2 weeks ago after a loooooong maintenance break and didn't feel crappy at all.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    @elenjay140 You got some answers on yesterday's thread about this same topic and some questions that might help. You haven't come back to either thread as far as I can see. I truly hope that you figure out what's going on and find a way to move forward with this, but people here cannot help you if you won't let them.
  • leajas1
    leajas1 Posts: 823 Member
    edited December 2016
    elenjay140 wrote: »
    Hi - I'm on Day 3 of eating very clean and healthy. No sugar, high veggies and protein. I've got a dull headache, somewhat nauseous, and felt shaky last night.

    I'm sure my body is just crashing from the sugar and processed food addiction, and I've read it can take a week or more for your body to adjust...but I'm just looking for some encouragement that others out there have felt crummy after starting to eat healthy!

    I've tried eating like that in the past and each time I felt exactly what you're describing. For me, although the headaches passed, I never got my energy back and I always felt bad about not being able to eat the foods that I actually wanted to eat. The only thing I've ever been able to stick to was eating foods I loved, but being in a calorie deficit. I found that it wasn't the food that was making me feel bad, it was the amount of which I was eating and the feeling of not being able to control myself.

    With that said, there are many people here who cut out certain foods (as a lifestyle - you're planning on eating this way indefinitely, correct?) and are very happy and successful. They report feeling just fine and say they have more energy than ever.

    ETA: I wish you the best with your plan and hope you feel better!
  • JessicaMcB
    JessicaMcB Posts: 1,503 Member
    What do you net carbs look like in the nutrition tab? If you are unintentionally eating at keto levels and not minding your electrolytes this could be keto flu as well
  • Jeannie3099
    Jeannie3099 Posts: 61 Member
    This too shall pass....
  • annette_15
    annette_15 Posts: 1,657 Member
    Its called the hangover period... I've done two rounds of whole30, and days 2-4 just sucks. It will pass. If you feel lightheaded and weak maybe up your carbs, have some sweet potatoes or bananas or other fruit, it should help
  • elenjay140
    elenjay140 Posts: 28 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    Have you reduced/eliminated caffeine? Sometimes withdrawal from caffeine can cause symptoms like this.

    How many calories are you getting per day? I sometimes feel sick and shaky when my calories go too low.

    Let my preface by saying that I do feel much better today. It might have just been a day of being tired from the Thanksgiving holiday.

    That being said, I usually only have one cup of black tea each morning. I'm not a coffee drinker. I know black tea has caffeine, but I didn't cut out my one cup in the morning, so I don't think that's the culprit.

    My calorie goal is 1250.
  • elenjay140
    elenjay140 Posts: 28 Member
    CattOfTheGarage wrote: »
    How much are you eating? As in how many calories? You might be undereating.

    When I eat "healthy" (read: more fruit and veg, fewer biscuits, cakes, crisps) it makes me feel better, not worse. But eating too little makes me feel the way you describe.

    I think it honestly might have been my body adjusting to more fruits and vegetables and less sugar and processed foods, especially after the Thanksgiving holiday. My diet for the past few days has looked like:

    2 hard boiled eggs for breakfast
    large all-vegetable salad for lunch with about 1/2 cup tofu
    Calnaturale svelte protein shake at around 3:30pm
    high-vegetable/protein dinner around 500 calories

    I may try to eat a bit more small, healthy snacks throughout the day to see if that helps. (almonds, hummus and veggies, etc.)

    Thanks for your advice!
  • elenjay140
    elenjay140 Posts: 28 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    I was going to say the same thing as Jane. If you cut caffeine then that is the most likely culprit. And if you are not eating enough calories then that could also cause you to feel weak and just not good. FWIW, I lost weight by reducing my calorie intake. I didn't give up any of the foods I liked in order to lose weight.

    I don't think caffeine is the culprit. I only drink 1 (sometimes 2) cups of black tea in the morning. I'm not a coffee drinker. I do feel much better today, so I think either my body is adjusting...or maybe I was just having a bad couple of days of sleep coming back from the Thanksgiving holiday.

    Thanks for your input!
  • elenjay140
    elenjay140 Posts: 28 Member
    leooftheyear wrote: »
    by 'no sugar' do you mean no processed sugar (e.g. sugar in coffee, candy or soda)?

    Right, I mean no processed sugar. I'm not a coffee drinker, just black tea. It was mostly cutting out things like chocolate, cookies, or other desserts. I also avoided things like cereal that has added sugar, and other foods with 'hidden' processed sugars. I haven't had any the past few days, but I, of course, still plan on having natural sugars like fruits! Also pure honey and maple syrup, and stevia if the occasion calls for it.
  • elenjay140
    elenjay140 Posts: 28 Member
    crzycatlady1 wrote: »
    You posted this same question already, so I'll ask again-is there a medical reason why you're eliminating sugar and making such drastic changes to what you're eating?

    Sorry, I posted the first question with poor internet connection and didn't realize that it had gone through!

    I'll preface by saying that i do feel much better today. Perhaps I was having a particularly rough day being tired and stressed following the Thanksgiving holiday.

    No medical reason. I just felt that my sugar intake was way too high, and I found myself feeling sluggish in the afternoon after having something like a cookie with lunch, or granola cereal (that had processed sugar in it) for breakfast. Just in general, I'm trying to cut down on my processed sugar intake.
  • elenjay140
    elenjay140 Posts: 28 Member
    kschwab0203 wrote: »
    It took me about 2 weeks to fully adjust to the changes I made in my diet.

    That's what I've read in other places online. It takes a body time to adjust to a healthier diet. I will say, that I feel much better today. I'll post in a couple of weeks to see how things are progressing!
  • elenjay140
    elenjay140 Posts: 28 Member
    CattOfTheGarage wrote: »
    kschwab0203 wrote: »
    It took me about 2 weeks to fully adjust to the changes I made in my diet.

    Same here, but hunger was my main issue - I don't recognise the general malaise and misery the OP describes.

    I do feel better today than I did a couple of days ago. Maybe it was an initial crash for a couple of days (combined with other factors like sleep and travel from Thanksgiving). I'll post again in a week or so to check in!

    Thanks for the input.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    No sugar would make anyone feel crappy imo..... :smiley:

    It does take time to adjust to different eating, give yourself time to adjust. There's no need to cut out certain foods, just moderate them.
  • sllm1
    sllm1 Posts: 2,130 Member
    1250 is pretty low and I would feel crappy eating that. If it doesn't get better over the long haul, consider a less aggressive goal so that you can sustain it without feeling bad.
  • elenjay140
    elenjay140 Posts: 28 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Are you eating enough?

    Also, sounds a bit like low carb "flu"...there's lots of healthy "clean" carbs out there and more to healthy eating than just veggies.

    You're probably right. I did cut the carbs for a couple of days, but should work on introducing these "clean" carbs back in. For example, I had 100% whole grain pasta last night mixed with beans and tomatoes, etc. (kind of a pasta-chili dish that I found online for clean eating).

    I'm new to this, so I'm looking forward to the input and advice of the MFP community! :)
  • elenjay140
    elenjay140 Posts: 28 Member
    diannethegeek wrote: »
    @elenjay140 You got some answers on yesterday's thread about this same topic and some questions that might help. You haven't come back to either thread as far as I can see. I truly hope that you figure out what's going on and find a way to move forward with this, but people here cannot help you if you won't let them.

    Hi - I'm relatively new to posting on the MFP community page, so bear with me as I figure out how/when to post and check replies! I had posted the first question with poor internet connection, so I didn't know that it had gone through.

    Thanks for your input!
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