Low Carb - Side Effects/Withdrawals??

dellas1979

Hi guys,
Despite trying my best for the last few years/months (What I thought was a balanced diet and gym few times a week), I have put on a stone. It seems Im only looking at food and putting it on. Also, am suffering terrible hunger pangs (even after eating) - blood sugar seems to be all over the place (I get dizzy/hungry/then feel sick etc). Ive been to the doc and physically Im sound, so no physical problems.

So, in an effort to sort out eating problems and try educate myself on my diet, I was advised to go on a low carb/sugar diet for a couple of weeks (to see how my body reacts/get me back to baseline/detox) and then reintroduce some sugar/carby food. During this time I "MAY" have 1 night out (not decided if Ill go or not as If I put all this effort into detoxing and the ruin it).

So yesterday was day 1: Felt ok. But had a terrible heachache towards the evening (have a little head cold which could be attributed to this also). I cant eat chewing gum or have any "diet" drinks. which I craved towards the evening time.

Day 2 today sunday: Still have terrible headache. Breath is noticably stinky/bad taste. I have the shakes and feel dizzy/lethargic (Ive been warned about all this). Also have the sweats! (makes you think what the heck Ive been eating all this time).

Ive been told this will last a few days - has anyone gone through this before??? What else can I expect? There is certainly alot more cooking/food preparation in this.

PS: I dont want anyone giving me a lecture about this. I could not cope with the way things were, and I am going to try this.

caroline72

go for it.i act cut carbs out completely for a few weeks, apart from cereal at breakfast. I ate SO SO SO much bread, potatoes etc etc etc before I cut them out,so apart from everything else, cutting it out made me realise this!!since reintroducing carbs I have cut back majorly on the bread etc, and have realised that it is possible to have a healthy and filling dinner without spuds/ pasta/ bread!!did feel awful for first few days yes, but this didn't last. Soon enough I had lost the bloated feeling and constant feeling of fullness, and lost weight almost straight away. It is doable-best of luck! For some people, it doesn't last and they end up binging on carbs again......but you can do it!!

El_Dangeroso

The low carb 'flu' usually doesn't kick in for a few days, so I'm wondering if it isn't caffeine withdrawal, that was my experience when I gave up coffee, possibly the worst withdrawal I have ever experienced.

Gummy Panda

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

The low carb 'flu' usually doesn't kick in for a few days, so I'm wondering if it isn't caffeine withdrawal, that was my experience when I gave up coffee, possibly the worst withdrawal I have ever experienced.

this ^^

I wouldn't cut caffeine when starting low carb. Trying dial back your caffeine intake slowly. The only reason they say to cut out caffeine is that for some people, they get sweet cravings.

Also drink lots of water and get a potassium supplement.

syklops

I was going to say it sounded like the nicotine withdrawals I had when I gave up the smokes. I really didnt think carb 'withdrawal' would manifest itself in this way. How much sugar were you eating?

meg3178

All these symptoms are quite normal. to minimise the headaches, drink more clear fluids, have mint tea with a little orange zest; the tea will also help to settle your colon and you will feel more alert.
Persevere with this for six weeks and you will feel very energised, however make sure you eat balanced foods containing a lot of vitamins and minerals. Soups, steamed veg, stir frys using a little water instead of oil and try the recipes from the Dukan diet (they're free online). Good luck

metamorphosis

id also chime in and say it sounds like caffeine withdrawl - that was horrific for me (im drinking it again, love it too much !)

It was horrible - like you describe.

Id really advise you to read Idiot ptoof diet (india and Neris) if your gonna go low carb , you will easily get through it in a day, easy read, funny, funnier if you're female which you are. Pleanty of good blogs about for you to glance at.

Yes, there is more effort involved. from the days of your food diary, your intake was never that balanced and there was a nice whack of refined foods in there. just think of wholefoods - meat, fish, fruits, spices, herbs, veggies, a little nuts and seeds, dairy like greek yogurt, cottage cheese.

All the bestwoth it - seriously read idiot proof diet and then throttle back any questions you have. The book is about a tenner in easons

dellas1979

Hi guys,
Thanks - no - I only drank 1-2 cups of coffee a day anyways (no sugar-dont like sugar in coffee - bar a drop of milk), so I am not going to cut that out. I drink/drank maybe 500ml pepsi max every 1-2 days (not every day). Not going to cut out milk either (would only drink a cup or so a day anyways).

Other than that, today so far has been 2 grilled rashers, scrambled eggs (2), 1 grilled tomato. Lunch was a boiled egg and some pickled gerkins (I assume you can eat these on low sugar/carb? The ones in the jars? Also, what about silverskin onions? I bought these to jazz up me salads). Dinner will be lean mince with a homemade bolognese sauce (gulp) and side salad.

Any tips on low carbing would be great and any nice receipes that involve mince or chicken would be helpful.

dellas1979

from the days of your food diary, your intake was never that balanced and there was a nice whack of refined foods in there. just think of wholefoods - meat, fish, fruits, spices, herbs, veggies, a little nuts and seeds, dairy like greek yogurt, cottage cheese.

Its hard to know - really - am no where near understanding food. I hope this adventure will help me.

All the bestwoth it - seriously read idiot proof diet and then throttle back any questions you have. The book is about a tenner in easons

Feck -cant get into city centre till at least next weekend.

metamorphosis

They have a website with a forum, plenty of blogs too. It will just help understand doing what your doing. IMHO, if you do something because you hear it works but dont understand the process and how it IS working, will you really continue to keep at it? Maybe a person will, but for me, i needed to know the hows and whys of what i was eating and not eating so to speak. Knowledge is power and all that.

Pick up a copy when ya get the chance - never too late. Let the start of your education begin! Hope all is well with ya after that and that all went well with the MA results. Im starting mine in sept!

Twenty10

The IPD book was in my local library so maybe you can pick it up in your local one.

As already said it's an easy read with loads of useful information. The online forum - pig to twig? - is worth a visit too.

El_Dangeroso

dellas1979 wrote: »

Hi guys,
Thanks - no - I only drank 1-2 cups of coffee a day anyways (no sugar-dont like sugar in coffee - bar a drop of milk), so I am not going to cut that out. I drink/drank maybe 500ml pepsi max every 1-2 days (not every day). Not going to cut out milk either (would only drink a cup or so a day anyways).

Other than that, today so far has been 2 grilled rashers, scrambled eggs (2), 1 grilled tomato. Lunch was a boiled egg and some pickled gerkins (I assume you can eat these on low sugar/carb? The ones in the jars? Also, what about silverskin onions? I bought these to jazz up me salads). Dinner will be lean mince with a homemade bolognese sauce (gulp) and side salad.

Any tips on low carbing would be great and any nice receipes that involve mince or chicken would be helpful.

I'd up the vegetables big time, I know you're eating a fair bit already but you need to be eating a lot more on low carb. Chuck leafy greens and berries in there too for potassium, which is very hard to get enough of on low carb.

Are you supplementing magnesium?

dellas1979

The MA went well thanks!
Got a new job on the back of it (well back in September).
Enjoy the masters (is it one with sports??).Will get that book.

Am not on any supplements.
Can I eat the gherkins and silverskin onions? (well I just had them in a salad there anyways!!).

El_Dangeroso

dellas1979 wrote: »

The MA went well thanks!
Got a new job on the back of it (well back in September).
Enjoy the masters (is it one with sports??).Will get that book.

Am not on any supplements.
Can I eat the gherkins and silverskin onions? (well I just had them in a salad there anyways!!).

Yep, they are fine.

I wouldn't do VLC without supplements tbh. Potassium (5 99mg tabs spread out over the day), 1g of vitamin C, a good B complex and magnesium. It's only short term until you increase carbs.

Rovi

dellas1979 wrote: »

...and any nice receipes that involve mince or chicken would be helpful.

Have a rummage through here:
http://www.thefoodee.co/Home/Index

dellas1979

Thanks for replies.
Will check out that food link - I defo need some variation!!!

This morning I was up at 6.30 and went to gym. After gym I had 3 boiled eggs (whites only) and chicken and an apple. Was full after that. And even managed to avoid eating cakes at a coffee morning I helped organise. Ill be honest, I dont know if its cause I am tired or what, but I didnt crave to eat one. I pretended I had a few small muffins, as I dont want people to know how strict I am at this early stage (will be lots of questions).

Lunch was bolognese from yest (made with tinned tomatoes, oregano, garlic) and lean mince. Salad of lettuce, tomato, scallion, silverskin onions, olive oil). This eve will be a high meat content burger, melted cheese (low low stuff), and small salad.

I suppose am not posting as a food diary (I had one of those-didnt help too much), but more so that am I eating the right things on a low carb diet?

Bar bad bad breath (and I cant eat chewing gum etc at the mo), I notice little changes already. Again not sure if am overthinking these things but two big big differences (and Ive been like this for ages) is that 1. I am not as hungry and 2. I dont feel as anxious (I used to have this awful anxious feeling all the time-even when I had nothing to be anxious about!!!).

Thanks

El_Dangeroso

That's really cool, I'm glad you are noticing positive effects already, you might have just gotten the 'day fives' a little sooner than most.

Why egg whites might I ask? One of the beautiful things about a low carb diet is that you can eat fat in abundance. Previously forbidden foods become diet food, like egg yolks, cheese, cream, butter. Because you have no conveyance to eat them on (for example bread), you don't really tend to go overboard.

But it sounds like you're well on your way already!

dellas1979

Hey!
I actually dont like the taste of the yolk!
I could manage them in scrambled eggs, but not boiled.
My picky eating doesnt help me (Ive tried eating fish).
Would love love love to like fish - would be so handy - always taste so strong.
Gosh - maybe I will get the day 5s if it takes that long normally? Maybe my mind is playing tricks??

El_Dangeroso

dellas1979 wrote: »

Hey!
I actually dont like the taste of the yolk!
I could manage them in scrambled eggs, but not boiled.
My picky eating doesnt help me (Ive tried eating fish).
Would love love love to like fish - would be so handy - always taste so strong.
Gosh - maybe I will get the day 5s if it takes that long normally? Maybe my mind is playing tricks??

Nah, sounds way too physical to be all in your mind, I'd say you're over it now, how are you feeling today?

Fish is good but no point making yourself miserable trying to eat it. If it helps white fish of any kind in a tomato-based sauce doesn't taste strongly of fish at all.

dellas1979

Well, after eating my burgers there (topped with low low cheese - no sauce - just some lettuce and scallion - actually didnt miss any sauce - am kinda wondering if this hasnt hit me yet) - feel really full, I got a craving for something sweet, but just ate some raw carrotts instead and was fine.

For future reference, can one eat these on low carb (grilled)? http://www.bigals.ie/Products/Big-Als-Quarter-Pounder.113.1.1.3.aspx

They look pure handy to eat. I find all this food preparation the downside of it so far.

dellas1979

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

Fish is good but no point making yourself miserable trying to eat it. If it helps white fish of any kind in a tomato-based sauce doesn't taste strongly of fish at all.

Really? - ok - my mission by the end of the week is to buy a few tins/types of fish in tomato sauce and try them.

El_Dangeroso

dellas1979 wrote: »

Really? - ok - my mission by the end of the week is to buy a few tins/types of fish in tomato sauce and try them.

Eat full fat cheese!

Tinned is probably the most fishy tasting tbh. You're better off grilling some whiting and adding some heated passata and herbs.

Yes, cooking is the bane of any healthy eating plan!

Gummy Panda

A guy I work with swears by dover lemon sole (i think thats it).

He won't eat any other fish. He hates the smell of fish too so this might be worth checking out.

dellas1979

Thanks guys!
Will defo be checking out the fish option - I can manage a fish finger type taste-but thats about it-(probably the furthers thing away from fish is actually supposed to taste like). Defo going to try fish before the end of the week.

So, are the Big Al burgers ok? Yep - should eat the full fat version, but have 1.5 blocks of the stuff in my fridge. Oh and went for a shower there and weighed myself before and down 3 pounds :eek:. That has never happened before. Ever. I started Saturday 12 stone 1 lb. Now 11 stone 12lb.

found a nice simple recipe on the Big Al site for a salsa using fresh tomatoes. So might try this with the fish!

El_Dangeroso

dellas1979 wrote: »

Thanks guys!
Will defo be checking out the fish option - I can manage a fish finger type taste-but thats about it-(probably the furthers thing away from fish is actually supposed to taste like). Defo going to try fish before the end of the week.

So, are the Big Al burgers ok? Yep - should eat the full fat version, but have 1.5 blocks of the stuff in my fridge. Oh and went for a shower there and weighed myself before and down 3 pounds :eek:. That has never happened before. Ever. I started Saturday 12 stone 1 lb. Now 11 stone 12lb.

found a nice simple recipe on the Big Al site for a salsa using fresh tomatoes. So might try this with the fish!

Yeah those burgers are alright.

What you lost is water weight, you normally get a big 'whoosh' of water weight loss after the day fives so that's probably what it is. Make sure you drink lots of water as low carb diets have a diuretic effect.

dellas1979

Jeepers - well Ive been drinkin water like its going out of fashion - yeah defo thirstier! Ah so its gets harder now...

Gummy Panda

If you live in Dublin, I recommend FX Buckley's beef burgers. So nice and taste better quality compared to Big Al's

caroline72

dellas1979 wrote: »

Really? - ok - my mission by the end of the week is to buy a few tins/types of fish in tomato sauce and try them.

I know Weight Watchers do a version which is nice, as do either Aldi or Lidl I think-almost certain its mackerel in the tomato sauce and really doesnt taste of fish. Weightwatchers also do tins of tuna in a mayonnaise and sweetcorn and it is YUM

dellas1979

Thanks guys will defo try the fish...the FX burger prob not as am a long long ways from Dublin!!
Really tired today...dunno if it is the diet or just tired in general - was up at 7.30 and literally just sat down there. I ate alot of cheese today for lunch (ham and cheese salad), and dinner (homemade mushrooms stuffed with rasher, scallion, cheese.
Is it possible to eat too much cheese on this?
Skin has broken out and I look wrecked. Hoping things pick up in the next few days. The weekend will be welcomed.

GearMaven

For some brilliant info on low-carb eating, check out the Low-Carb Friends bulletin board and recipes. Really helped me when I started the Atkins Diet many years ago and successfully lost 25lbs. Now on maintenance I love the great recipes still. Makes it very easy to follow a low-carb way of living. (Watch out for sausages here...they have cereal in them...a definite low-carb no-no! Perhaps the gluten-free sausages--which taste great--would be a better bet?)

Rakish

Low carb shouldn't feel like torture after about 3 days.
If it does then you are missing something.
Watch out for the essential stuff you eat with your carbs that you have now given up.

You need to monitor your Fats and salts very closely when you go low carb. I swear by Udo's Oil. I'm tried it, loved it, gave it up (its expensive), tried fish oil, and I've gone back to it.

Udo's oil affacts everything espiceally mood, alertness and fullness. This is massive when you are not eating much carbs. I've found fish oil does not have the same affect.

arandale

I would suggest Coconut oil, its really nice used instead of butter and other spreads, i use it on warm veg meat fish ect. Its in solid form but dont be put off by this. Google it to read of its virtues. I pay e6 appox.

dellas1979

No it doesnt feel like torture now - I feel completely different - for the better that is.

One thing Ive learned is that when I am cooking one meal, I will cook another. Because there is so much preparation of the food.

So this morning when I made breakfast, I also cooked my lunch. This evening when I made my dinner, I made my breakfast.

Weighed myself this eve and I started at 12.1 and now 11.9. Ideally would like to be 11 - thats my normal weight.

Might try the Udos oil. Do you drink it/take tablets???

El_Dangeroso

dellas1979 wrote: »

No it doesnt feel like torture now - I feel completely different - for the better that is.

Hurrah! You just had a rough transition, I got full blown 'flu for a week but it's so worth it when you start to feel really energetic.

Rakish

dellas1979 wrote: »

Might try the Udos oil. Do you drink it/take tablets???

I use the raw oil. The tablets work out really expensive. Never take it on its own, you will gag. Try it in protein shakes or as a salad dressing.

Try this balsamic dressing recipe: (this makes a full bottle and lasts a month, keep it in the fridge)
100ml udo's oil
100ml Balsamic vinegar
1 crushed garlic clove
1 teaspoon mustard

even my kids like it!

dellas1979

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

Hurrah! You just had a rough transition, I got full blown 'flu for a week but it's so worth it when you start to feel really energetic.

Yes - I was groggy all the time from the moment Id wake up till I went to be again. Now when I feel tired, it actually feels like a real tiredness. Dunno how to explain it. Do you low carb all the time?? Any nice recipes?

El_Dangeroso

dellas1979 wrote: »

Yes - I was groggy all the time from the moment Id wake up till I went to be again. Now when I feel tired, it actually feels like a real tiredness. Dunno how to explain it. Do you low carb all the time?? Any nice recipes?

Not any more, it's was very hard to maintain eating low carb (counldn't get enough calories).

I still stay away from bread as it annoys my IBS though so stick to rice and potatoes and other vegetables for my main starch sources.

You should check out the IPD forum for loads of recipes:

www.pig2twig.co.uk

Lovely ladies on there too, highly recommend the book as well.

metamorphosis

I'm a guy and I thought the book was funny. (it's puuuuuuuure aimed at girls. Sexist. BAH)

dellas1979

Thanks guys!!!

Well, Ive been on it a week now, and weighed myself yest and am down to 11.7. Started at 12.1. Think thats 8lbs??

I still havent broken yet and feel ok (although this afternoon I feel wiped out totally - but I went for a 5k hike also).

Came home and made a homemade salsa (garlic, onion, deseeded tomatoes, coriander, lemon juice - tastes lovely but needs a little more of a tomatoey taste (I have some puree might throw in).

Will eat that with 2 big al 1/4 pounders with cheese and salad.

Tomorrow morning for breakfast, I have to boil my eggs and get fruit ready-also to get lunch ready. This will be my last week being so strict with low low carbs. Come Saturday, I will be having a few well deserved pints!!!

Cant say am craving sugar, but every so often my head turns, for example, in the supermarket today, I walked past these fabulous looking homemade muffins. Also, walked past icecream fridge and there was a wispa icecream looking up at me. But Ive no cravings for them. Just a kind of "wouldnt that be nice" thought.

El_Dangeroso

Well done! I always laugh when people declare 'but it's water weight!', it is but it still looks the same on your bottom!

Don't expect to see that weight loss again this week, it's not unheard of to stall in week two or three, 8lb is a little shock to your body so it won't want to lose much more too quickly.

Be careful with pints, alcohol has a *much* stronger effect when low carbing. I was floored after one glass of wine when I first indulged!

Also, since you've gotten used to no wheat, beer is going to bloat you an awful lot more than normal, you might even get some toilet issues. :eek:

Take it slow and see how you go.

dellas1979

You think 8lbs loss is water weight??? Jaysys - hope its not - cause Im throwing about 2ltrs of water a day into me.

Oh I dont drink beer - I like cider (too much), but think will have a few shorts instead (am playing at a tag tournament so exercise and booze, plus low carb will be interesting).

20 Times 20 Times

My question is , when your on one of these low carb diets , Why are you not allowed to drink A diet drink ie pepsi max / coke zero ??

El_Dangeroso

dellas1979 wrote: »

You think 8lbs loss is water weight??? Jaysys - hope its not - cause Im throwing about 2ltrs of water a day into me.

Oh I dont drink beer - I like cider (too much), but think will have a few shorts instead (am playing at a tag tournament so exercise and booze, plus low carb will be interesting).

Yep, at least about 4-5lb is. The reason you drink a lot of water is that you're replenishing all the lost water from low carbing, but it is a net loss.

I would definitely have a small potato or rice before or after the tournament. You'll be flattened for the night otherwise, and waay more likely to succumb to garlic and cheese chip and a kebab AND a coke. Remember, alcohol is a gateway drug to junkfood.

El_Dangeroso

Little Pea wrote: »

My question is , when your on one of these low carb diets , Why are you not allowed to drink A diet drink ie pepsi max / coke zero ??

No one says you can't, it tend to depend on the plan.

Some object to them on the basis that you should be retraining your palette to taste more subtle levels of sweetness.

Vegetables tastes very sweet when you're not deadening your taste buds with diet drinks all the time.

I myself would advocate giving them up at least for a few weeks at the start, you don't want to trade one addiction for another.

Gummy Panda

dellas1979 wrote: »

You think 8lbs loss is water weight??? Jaysys - hope its not - cause Im throwing about 2ltrs of water a day into me.

Oh I dont drink beer - I like cider (too much), but think will have a few shorts instead (am playing at a tag tournament so exercise and booze, plus low carb will be interesting).

listen to El_Dangeroso and carb up a bit before the booze, cause you'll be on your ear if you drink with such low carbs.

Tolerance is just shot down

dellas1979

Ok thanks guys. I plan to have grilled sausages/rashers/tomato/egg Sat morning with 2 slices of mccambridges.
Where Im playing, the only food will be the burger/chips type crap.

Well, I weighed myself this eve again, and am 11st 6lbs. So thats (stopped to count) 9lbs??? In 10/11 days???? Can that be right? I feel fine - even went out last night (fizzy water!), came home at 12 and got up at 7 for the gym before full day of work. Am tired now though. Still finding the food prep hard, but have accepted it has to be done.

gonker

Hi just stumbled on this thread. How are you getting on now?

dellas1979

Hi - just saw the thread now.
Getting on fine!
Am now 11 stone (I started at 12.1), and feeling and looking great compared to where I was about 5 weeks ago!

I still eat low carb, but have not cut them out completely (I cut them out for the first 2/3 weeks of changing my eating habits). I mostly eat brown bread/rice now for carbs, but if I have the odd spud or pitta, I dont grill myself. I also do alot more weights than cardio these days-I might run for 10-20 mins to warm up, but then 20/30 mins is on weights. I also eat way more fruit and veg and drink water like it is going out of fashion (about 2ltrs a day)- if I feel myself getting tired, I will have raw carrot or something.

My sister asked me today what I had been doing because she said I looked fantastic (healthy and toned is what she used-smaller frame). And last week my friend was commenting on how toned I was looking. So am defo going to keep it up!!

Kinetic^

Days 2-4 were the worst for me. I've been eating fruit and vegetables, not eating potatoes/pasta/rice/wheat based carbs. There was some light headed hours in there but after that, the last week has been fine. Down a few lbs, plenty more to go.

FewFew

What are the dangers/negative side effects of this diet?

Been doing the aul IPD for just over a month now, rocking a complete aul carb/sugar/caffeine cut and taking all the recommended supplement.

Just realised today that I've lost 1 1/2 stone. Nice. I started with imperial, then switched to metric and didn't realise my true progress... nice

Lightest I've been for 3 years.

Anyhows, I'm just wondering.... what's the catch?

Recently moved back to the parents' for a month or so, but my Mam is questioning the safety of the diet on a daily basis. Some of her concerns sound like they could have a grounding... sodium intake and extra strain on the aul kidneys being to two main contenders.

So... is phase 1 sustainable for long enough to get the job done, or am I damaging myself by prolonging the more extreme side of the diet?

arandale

Fewcifur, whats IPD?