Type 2 Carb cravings

Pauntiep said:

Hi everyone

I've seen the term 'carb flu' mentioned. What does this actually mean?

Click to expand...

Its a short lived condition that happens when you cut carbs out of your diet. Because of their addictive nature you go through a period of detox when you cut out carbs and some of the symptoms can be flu like. Hence the name "carb flu". Its a bit like getting a headache if you cut caffeine out of your diet.

Carb flu doesnt last long, and can be helped by gradually cutting your carbs down. I cut mine down over a period of a week, and that helped. After that, my cravings had nearly gone. It took a further week for the cravings to go completely.

It's not a real "flu" and not everybody experiences it.

I agree with BB. Fortunately, some people cut their carbs and get no 'carb flu' symptoms at all. Which makes them lucky!

The cravings are often part of 'carb flu' but they can also crop up at other times too.

I eat a very low carb way of eating, so I don't encounter many carbs on a daily basis. But if I eat more than usual (say I go out for a meal, or I have a treat - there is an easter egg eyeing me from across the room as I type this), then my body will reward me with an expectation of continuing to eat more carbs the next day. Sometimes it is just a preoccupation with foods that contain carbs, wanting a bit more chocolate, or thinking about eating chips. Sometimes it can be a kind of gnawing hunger. And sometimes it kicks up to a full on aching craving.

The answer is the same in every example (for me).
- don't eat the carbs
- fill up on good, filling, enjoyable low carb foods
- make sure to bury the cravings under plenty of low carb deliciousness. cheese or nuts or coffee with cream are my Go To craving killers.

I find Will Power particularly useless in overcoming cravings. Sure. Will Power is a great thing, and it works. And sometimes it works over and over again. But sooner or later, when you are tired, or run down, or upset, or distracted, it will fail. And then the whole carb craving cycle will start all over again.

Far better to smother the cravings with deliciousness and indulgence (low carb style), than to try and beat them into submission with Will Power.

Pauntiep said:

Thank you so much. Wow. I thought I was abnormal for getting cravings!

Click to expand...

How low are you trying to go on carbs?

I didn't get carb flu. just hunger pangs as I drastically cut total food intake for three months after diagnosis.

Pauntiep said:

Oh yes, I also feel really cold

Click to expand...

Yep you'll feel very cold. Just make sure you drink heaps of water and include salt, whether from nuts or broth (low carb of course) because of cutting down so much carbs (as so much of food contains it) and diarrhoea, you'll have most likely lost salt in your body. Google Diet Doctor, it's explained very well there with loads of interesting advice and food recipes!

Good luck!

My husband gets headaches with his carb flu, but I don't think diarrhoea is usually a symptom.
Maybe you have picked up a tummy bug?

He also gets headaches when he gives up coffee - and he always gives up coffee when he cuts down on carbs, so it is hard for him to know which thing is causing the headaches!

Try drinking more. Lots and lots of water, and maybe having a bit extra salt.

Here is a link to some info on carb flu and how to avoid it. Hope it helps!
https://authoritynutrition.com/5-most-common-low-carb-mistakes/

If you ate a slice of bread this morning you were most likely not having a hypo.
You can get the sensation of hypo as your body is used to high blood glucose, so it throws a tantrum as your levels reduce, but it just needs a slight nudge - a tiny amount of carb will quieten it down for a while.