HI Bewildered
This is tough, because from what everyone is saying in this thread, it seems to effects us differently and at different stages. But I can sum up what might happen.
Day 1 - not much - you may feel a bit hungry and empty (drink plenty of water)
Day 2 - 4 - you may experience slight headaches and dizziness - (drink plenty of water)
Day 5 - 7 - carb withdrawal....carvings and some 'discomfort' in general. (stay strong! Don't give in - drink plenty of water)
Day 8 - 56 - things begin to settle. Hunger goes away, but you may have the following;
itchy skin
a buttery taste on your tongue (it can go quite yellow) 'ketosis'
Cold hands and feet (very uncomfortable - I needed a hot water bottle)
Loose skin
A little short tempered (as with T2)
stomach cramps - trapped wind
Dizziness - if you over exert yourself
I had some moments when I could not think clearly - or remember things (embarrassing - I had to write things down)
Moments when you feel disappointed (i.e. high fasting blood scores - weight loss plateaus)
Boredom with basic foods
Genuine concern from others that you might be dying of cancer.
A lightning of the wallet as you have to buy new clothes
Fan mail from the charity shops
I'm sure others can add a few other symptoms and side effects to this list
What I have learned to overcome these;
Make sure you see your Dr or DN before you start - take the Prof T handout.
Keep monitoring your fasting bloods - and keep records of readings
Drink plenty of water (have I mentioned that????
)
Add salt to you salad. (helps with 'transit")
Add olive oil to your salad (helps with gall stones)
Think about the timings of your meals and shakes. I delay my first till midday.
Stay warm
Think of strategies for social events (i.e. have the salad, drink sugarless drinks etc..)
Read loads about the ND and Carbs
Keep blogging and telling us how you are getting on. Share you success and and failures and concerns and thoughts with us.
This is a physical, social and mental trial - and not for the faint hearted - so surround yourself with support (people, knowledge, food choices etc...) and try and get support from those closest to you - who may start to show genuine concern and apply pressure on you to stop!!!
Consider life post ND - and what your diet and eating might be like. Your taste and pallet will change so you will have chance to start again with a clean slate. Things will taste different and feel different inside you. Your mindset towards food will be refreshed.