To low carb?

Don't really know, but if you have lost weight you may have got rid of your energy reserves (fat) so you're relying on your carbs now and not getting enough. Maybe you should try upping them a little with some low GI additions and see how you feel. I was worried about losing too much weight, so upped my intake by grazing on nuts (good low gi, but quite a lot of energy) and adding things like an advocado and a boiled egg (no carbs of course) to my salads, with a cold boiled new potato for extra carbs. Also had an apple extra every day,.

You could try upping your carbs a bit, Sirzy, and see what happens - you can always drop them down again if you don't like the results. Try going up to 50g, then 70g first, and see what happens. Grazer's suggestions are good. I always find I crave a few more carbs at this time of year.

The other thing about this time of year is lack of sunshine, which means lack of Vitamin D. This can make you tired. At the latitudes we live in, the winter sun is not strong enough for us to get enough Vit D, let alone the fact that we don't expose enough skin in this weather! We store some of what we make in the summer, but not enough to get us through. Also, as we get older we make less Vit D. It's almost impossible to get enough from diet alone, though your eggs and fish should be helping, also your vitamin tablet. I take quite a lot of Vit D3 (which is the sort we need to supplement) summer and winter alike. Less in summer. Have a search around on Google - there's quite a lot on there about it. I take far more than the RDA - you must make up your own mind on it.

I also have a SAD lamp (daylight replacement) which sits beside my computer. I have it on while I'm working, and it does help.

Another thing that can make you tired is an underactive thyroid, which is often associated with diabetes. It can also give you things like thinning hair and a dry skin. Google 'British Thyroid Association', or similar, and check out the symptoms. It's possible to have an underactive thyroid even if your tests are within the accepted range.

Finally - when you've armed yourself with all this knowledge go along to the doctor and have a thorough discussion with your GP. In my experience, you shouldn't run out of energy while low-carbing, even if you're exercising. I used to walk 25 miles a week with the Wolfhounds while doing Atkins the first time, and always had plenty of energy. Mind you, we are all different - so check Vitamin D3 and hypothyroid on the net, and then go and talk to your GP.

Vitamin D tests are expensive, so they might not give you one just on asking. That's one of the reasons it's always useful to do your reading round first.

Good luck!

Viv 8)

PS I thought sheep nuts were very high carb, Grazer! all that cereal :lol: :wink:

Sirzy said:

I have fish or eggs and cheese most days, so seem to be getting enough protein, and I take a multivitamin,

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It could be some form of vitamin deficiency Sirzy as there is a school of thought that thinks that all you get from taking multivitamins is expensive wee, there are thousands of links about whether multivitamins are a waste of time just google 'are multivitamins a waste of time'

Have a read of this one I just found.

Extract:
People who eat a healthy diet get all the vitamins they need from their food. Any excess of vitamins (the water soluble C, B1, B2 and B6), whether in the food or in dietary supplements, is excreted. Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are stored in the liver and an excess can result in side effects.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style ... 05377.html

I think its mainly mutivitamins that are a waste of time and money Sirzy not individual vitamin supplements or even herbal remedies taken for a purpose. :thumbup:

May have nothing to do with your diet and there's a list as long as your arm for the cause of tiredness and lethargy, see your gp and discuss.

We seem to have some things in common, Sirzy - as well as the Vit D3 I take quite a lot of magnesium too!

I have never had a thyroid test result outside of the accepted range, but nevertheless I had a long list of symptoms, including bursting into tears all over the doctor every time I went to see him at this time of year. Poor man! :lol: So he listened to me and worked me up to 100mg of levothyroxine daily. Tests are still within range and I have no symptoms of hyperthyroidism. I feel a lot better for it. I believe sub-clinical hypothyroidism is not unusual.

Have you seen Rose Elliott's book on low-carbing for vegetarians? Can't remember the exact title but it should be under her name on Amazon etc. It might give you some ideas.

Viv 8)

Sirzy said:

Hey Sid,

Do you know why multivitamins aren't as good as taking seperate vitamin supplements? I did consider buying them seperately, particularly the B's, but it would have cost a small fortune, which is why I went for the multivitamin. Is it something to do with potency?

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I would imagine that is part of it some vitamin supplements are very expensive so to combine loads in one pill you are never going to get the benefit of every vitamin also most vitamins will not be absorbed into the body but just go straight through it which is why it is best to eat a balanced diet taking in all the vitamins, nutrients, fats and amino acids that the body needs that way all the vitamins, nutrients eaten are gained as nature intended.

To start taking more vitamins without knowing if you are deficient in them is at best a waste of money and at worst dangerous IMHO.

Could be lots of reasons. but the most obvious is that you aren't eating enough fat. low carb needs high fat to offset, otherwise you're basically starving yourself. Also, protein releases energy slowly, so i kind of see it as follows:

Energy modulation:

Base1: slow protein energy release, ensure constant but not too much for kidneys (you'd need loads). least signifigant energy source, but constant.

Base2: Carbs from veg (or any low carb slow release carbs really). ups blood sugar and because of slow release that sugar level will stay for a long time - therefore harder to adjust by exercise once eaten too much. Logic says this should also be a small % of total energy sources, and consistent. Ie. the intake shouldn't vary much and should be well below total energy requirements to avoid spikes.

non-base adjustment on the fly: Fat. Fat is burnt or stored fast, so won't cause slow release spikes as easily and is easier to adjust via exercise because it can all be used quickly. fats are your immediate energy modulators.

So adjust by increasing / snacking more on fat (since protein is minimal fat plus protein is good (and easier)).
Fat and carbs both can add weight if you eat too much of either of course. Also, there are arguments for making sure fat is a healthy type, not all paleo saturated fat.

Personally, unless you have a medical condition, there's no point in consuming supplements. Other than fish oil 2000mg a day possibly. most of vit C is excreted, same with a lot of them.

eat a good low carb high protein / fat diet and you will be swimming in magnesium etc due mainly to wider range of veg, nuts etc.