Sudden onset of cravings!

amyrising
amyrising Posts: 39 Member
edited November 22 in Social Groups
I started my keto journey again 2 weeks ago. I was just starting to feel great and BAM! The cravings hit 2 days ago. I went back over my log for the last few days and saw that my new salad dressing has 1 gram of sugar per serving. My total for those 2 days was 6 grams of sugar. Is that what is causing the cravings?
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Replies

  • trish55011
    trish55011 Posts: 139 Member
    It could be, if you have cut out all sugars, and then introduced even small amounts it may have triggered the "sugar" cravings. What I have found helps when/if sugar cravings hits, is if I have a buttered coffee or a fat bomb, the sugar craving disappears. I don't know the science behind it, but I think the two are linked somehow. Not sure how it works, but I know for me fat chases away the desire for sugar. Hope this helps.
  • __Roxy__
    __Roxy__ Posts: 825 Member
    It's possible that eating even that little sugar has effected your ketosis, and triggered cravings.
    Try cutting the salad dressing and increasing your fat for a few days and see if that helps. I find pickle juice cures cravings for me. Also if I really feel like I want something sweet, I'll have a Rootbeer Zevia (Stevia pop, no carbs).
  • amyrising
    amyrising Posts: 39 Member
    Thanks! I will stop the dressing and increase the fats for now!
  • TnTWalter
    TnTWalter Posts: 345 Member
    i really like the tessame dressings [in refrigerated aisle]
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
    I'll second the idea of possibly needing a hit of salt. I'm not one to regularly take in "X" amount so have made it option #1 when both unexplained hunger and cravings hit. Neither happens often but it does happen with me. YMMV.
  • Cheesy567
    Cheesy567 Posts: 1,186 Member
    Where are you in your menstrual cycle? Cravings hit me when I'm ovulating and the day or two prior to or starting menstruation.
  • Xerogs
    Xerogs Posts: 328 Member
    amyrising wrote: »
    I started my keto journey again 2 weeks ago. I was just starting to feel great and BAM! The cravings hit 2 days ago. I went back over my log for the last few days and saw that my new salad dressing has 1 gram of sugar per serving. My total for those 2 days was 6 grams of sugar. Is that what is causing the cravings?

    What kind of cravings are they, sweet, sour, or something else? Aside from the things mentioned by other people in this thread, sometimes cravings can be a sign that you are getting low on specific nutrients. If its not dehydration or sugar withdrawals then you might ask yourself what nutrients are in the food you are craving and try to find a low carb version that will satisfy the need.

  • BodyByButter
    BodyByButter Posts: 563 Member
    Could you possibly open your diary so we could look for more clues?
  • amyrising
    amyrising Posts: 39 Member
    Cheesy567 wrote: »
    Where are you in your menstrual cycle? Cravings hit me when I'm ovulating and the day or two prior to or starting menstruation.

    I had a hysterectomy several years ago but still have my ovaries. I always forget that. It is about that time for me. I have also been very hungry. I will try some salt. Thanks everyone!
  • amyrising
    amyrising Posts: 39 Member
    xerogs1 wrote: »
    amyrising wrote: »
    I started my keto journey again 2 weeks ago. I was just starting to feel great and BAM! The cravings hit 2 days ago. I went back over my log for the last few days and saw that my new salad dressing has 1 gram of sugar per serving. My total for those 2 days was 6 grams of sugar. Is that what is causing the cravings?

    What kind of cravings are they, sweet, sour, or something else? Aside from the things mentioned by other people in this thread, sometimes cravings can be a sign that you are getting low on specific nutrients. If its not dehydration or sugar withdrawals then you might ask yourself what nutrients are in the food you are craving and try to find a low carb version that will satisfy the need.

    My cravings are for sweets/carbs. For years I've lived on sugar, carbs and caffeine. I have some medical conditions that cause extreme fatigue. Fast energy was crucial to my life of work and kids.
    I quit my job so I can get my diet under control and hopefully off 1/2 my medication.
  • Alaplum
    Alaplum Posts: 169 Member
    My cravings seem to come and go. For weeks I had this crazy craving for a muffin, even before I wasn't a muffin eater. So I decided to make a low carb banana loaf. One slice and my cravings disappeared. Weird. Also, I find if I'm craving I will go hard on the protein. It generally seems to help. Even if I go a bit over that day.
  • BodyByButter
    BodyByButter Posts: 563 Member
    amyrising wrote: »
    Cheesy567 wrote: »
    Where are you in your menstrual cycle? Cravings hit me when I'm ovulating and the day or two prior to or starting menstruation.

    I had a hysterectomy several years ago but still have my ovaries. I always forget that. It is about that time for me. I have also been very hungry. I will try some salt. Thanks everyone!

    Same here! I still have one ovary and find that I get mad cravings on the same time every month. It's easy to forget that that thing is in there and working.
  • ScrAgnX
    ScrAgnX Posts: 368 Member
    I crave sugar when I'm tired; looking for quick energy I guess.

    Have you been sleeping enough?
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    I crave chocolate like mad when my iron is low...I try to keep that from happening.
  • amyrising
    amyrising Posts: 39 Member
    ScrAgnX wrote: »
    I crave sugar when I'm tired; looking for quick energy I guess.

    Have you been sleeping enough?

    I have sleep apnea so after getting my cpap (2 yrs ago) I sleep much better than before. I still wake up with the energy of a sloth, lol.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    I would bet it's too little salt
  • trish55011
    trish55011 Posts: 139 Member
    how are the cravings now?
  • amyrising
    amyrising Posts: 39 Member
    trish55011 wrote: »
    how are the cravings now?

    My cravings are better but my energy is low low. I may need some added supplements. I take a hand full of pharmaceuticals 3 times a day (some more). I'm sure that doesn't help things. I am going to keep pushing on though. Thank you for asking!
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    Did you increase sodium? Low energy is often from low sodium
  • amyrising
    amyrising Posts: 39 Member
    Did you increase sodium? Low energy is often from low sodium

    Yes but I may need to increase more. I eat pickles and i love to drink the juice. Do you think I should add a magnesium supplement?
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,021 Member
    amyrising wrote: »
    Did you increase sodium? Low energy is often from low sodium

    Yes but I may need to increase more. I eat pickles and i love to drink the juice. Do you think I should add a magnesium supplement?

    We need 3,000-5,000mg EVERY DAY. Your diary shows that most days you don't even reach 3000mg. Hit that minimum consistently. Then if you are still feeling a little puny, you may be a person who needs the full 5000mg.
  • amyrising
    amyrising Posts: 39 Member

    [/quote]
    Yes but I may need to increase more. I eat pickles and i love to drink the juice. Do you think I should add a magnesium supplement?[/quote]

    We need 3,000-5,000mg EVERY DAY. Your diary shows that most days you don't even reach 3000mg. Hit that minimum consistently. Then if you are still feeling a little puny, you may be a person who needs the full 5000mg.[/quote]

    I do salt all my food with pink Himalayan sea salt. Should I start recording that? Do you have any suggestions for other things would help increase my sodium?
  • AlexandraCarlyle
    AlexandraCarlyle Posts: 1,603 Member
    Don't salt food. It still won't be enough.

    Eat the salt.
    On its own.
    Like mini crunchy sweets.
    Chuck grains into your mouth at periodic intervals.

    Or buy a Himalayan salt-lick block and lick or crunch chunks broken off it.
    I did that.

    If it's made for consumption by animals, you can eat it too.

  • amyrising
    amyrising Posts: 39 Member
    Don't salt food. It still won't be enough.

    Eat the salt.
    On its own.
    Like mini crunchy sweets.
    Chuck grains into your mouth at periodic intervals.

    Or buy a Himalayan salt-lick block and lick or crunch chunks broken off it.
    I did that.

    If it's made for consumption by animals, you can eat it too.

    Thanks! I will try that!
  • Shron123
    Shron123 Posts: 221 Member
    “My cravings are better but my energy is low low. I may need some added supplements. I take a hand full of pharmaceuticals 3 times a day (some more). I'm sure that doesn't help things. I am going to keep pushing on though. Thank you for asking!”

    Same idea as others but different elyte. Low Potassium was my issue and caused me to be simply exhausted about 2 weeks on Keto. Climbing stairs or uphill was almost impossible as my muscles cldnt work properly. Potassium supplements are only allowed to be 99 mg per tablet and we need 3500-4700 mg per day. I now take a 1/4 tsp of “No Salt” every morning and feel fine. I know if I have taken too much potassium OR magnesium as I get slightly nauseous and get diarrhea. A mag supplement and the 1/4 tsp No Salt work great for me. Good luck.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    amyrising wrote: »
    Did you increase sodium? Low energy is often from low sodium

    Yes but I may need to increase more. I eat pickles and i love to drink the juice. Do you think I should add a magnesium supplement?

    Couldn't hurt. Most people are deficient and it's even more likely if sodium gets low.
    Look in the launch pad/FAQ area for the sticky about electrolytes. There's a lot of info about good forms of magnesium in there.
    I'd also recommend Pure Vitamin Club magnesium. You don't have to sign up for the auto ship if you don't want to.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    I agree with all of the points above.

    In my case three years into LCHF a sudden onset of wanting to eat the legs off of the table is due to eating well over 50 grams of carbs daily. About a week ago I ate about 3 pounds of grapes in one day. It took about 4 days for the 4 pound water weight to work off and I wanted more and more big black grapes. :)
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