feeling unwell until I have a portion of carbs

[Deleted member 43917]

I've been trying to go low carb and my diet has improved a lot - but each day I usually want some kind of carb - whether its a slice of toast, Dr Karg crackers, or if I try and avoid it and then succumb to a craving, a biscuit or chocolate which I know is storing up trouble.

Today when I tried not to have any carbs for breakfast I felt really unwell until I had a slice of cheese on toast for lunch and then finally I felt better. I noticed this before in the past when I tried to give up all carbs except for vegetables and berries before. Could it be a wheat craving?? Has anyone else also felt unwell when they've gone low carb and is it just something that you go through?

(My GP doesn't want to give me a meter, so I'm not sure what's happening to my sugar levels each time, although my last HbA1c was 6.7.)

 

[AndBreathe]

I've been trying to go low carb and my diet has improved a lot - but each day I usually want some kind of carb - whether its a slice of toast, Dr Karg crackers, or if I try and avoid it and then succumb to a craving, a biscuit or chocolate which I know is storing up trouble.

Today when I tried not to have any carbs for breakfast I felt really unwell until I had a slice of cheese on toast for lunch and then finally I felt better. I noticed this before in the past when I tried to give up all carbs except for vegetables and berries before. Could it be a wheat craving?? Has anyone else also felt unwell when they've gone low carb and is it just something that you go through?

(My GP doesn't want to give me a meter, so I'm not sure what's happening to my sugar levels each time, although my last HbA1c was 6.7.)

Carbs tend to be addictive, and it is possible what you are feeling is a form of withdrawal, or something referred to a carb flu.

Our bodies like to run habitually. They like routine. When we break those habits, or change the routines, our bodies protest, sometimes leading to the feelings you describe, but for most people those feeling only last a day or two.

Most people find if they want to low carb, if they can resist for a day or two, they begin to feel much more comfortable very quickly.

One tactic, to get over the initial carb craving/hump/flu would be to have increase your fat a little, so that your body has plenty to be working on, over the longer term than carbs will tend to be satisfying.

I hope that may have helped.

 

[muzza3]

Hi @apple123

Totally agree with @AndBreathe

I can't stress enough how I believe you must get a meter and measure your levels. If you don't do this you are flying blind and leaving control of your health to others.

By testing you can see what impact the Carbs are having on your blood glucose levels which can also motivate you to keep away from those that spike your levels. You can also post results here to get feedback on how you are going etc

 

[Deleted member 43917]

Carbs tend to be addictive, and it is possible what you are feeling is a form of withdrawal, or something referred to a carb flu.

Our bodies like to run habitually. They like routine. When we break those habits, or change the routines, our bodies protest, sometimes leading to the feelings you describe, but for most people those feeling only last a day or two.

Most people find if they want to low carb, if they can resist for a day or two, they begin to feel much more comfortable very quickly.

One tactic, to get over the initial carb craving/hump/flu would be to have increase your fat a little, so that your body has plenty to be working on, over the longer term than carbs will tend to be satisfying.

I hope that may have helped.

Thanks very much for your reply and explaining about carb flu - I had forgotten about that. I'm not sure that's what it was as it included nausea and foggy head? However, after posting I found an old meter and so I'm going to see if it just needs a battery and get some test strips for it.

As you mentioned increasing fat a little - yes, I have also been wanting to eat a little butter on its own which I've never done before so perhaps my body is just adjusting. Point taken about testing though - it was mentioned before and I approached my GP, but now I will just pay for one myself if I can't get this old one working.