The Dreaded Carb Flu

Now, if you’re like me, when you hear something that resonates with you, you are very eager to test it out. This warning comes to you from experience, as according to my Mom, I always learn things the hard way!

When you go from eating carbs on a regular basis, even healthy carbs (sweet potatoes, whole grain breads, quinoa, etc.) to cutting carbs way back, you will highly likely get what is referred to as the “carb flu”. This can be very unpleasant and include headaches, nausea, extreme fatigue, a racing heart, sweating, etc. 

This is one of the reasons why I recommend cutting down on sugar and carbs slowly over time. The other reason being is that time allows for new habits to take hold.

The symptom that I found most challenging and held on the longest is the fatigue. You feel so heavy and just climbing the stairs can make you want to have a nap. When you’re a busy person with work, kids, housework and friends, there’s no time for this, it sucks and it is enough to make you want to grab a chocolate bar, which will completely derail all of your efforts.

The thing that I didn’t know at the time is that there are strategies you can use when going very low carb to avoid some, if not all, of these nasty symptoms.

1. Eat Whole Foods. The more you clean up your diet before going very low carb, the better you will fare.

2. Electrolytes, electrolytes, electrolytes! Keto makes your body drop water quickly. You must replenish the electrolytes or you will feel rotten. You can make your own electrolyte drink at home by adding 1/2 tsp of sea salt, 1/2 tsp salt free (potassium) and 1/2 tsp baking soda to an 8 oz glass of water. Feel free to add some lemon and stevia to make it more palatable. Drink as much as you need to feel well throughout the day. More if you're exercising and sweating.

3. Take it easy. Go easy on yourself. Don't keep trying to do your workouts and push yourself to keep up with all your regular activities. Allow yourself to take it easy. This is a big adjustment for your body. Give it the extra rest that it needs right now.

4. Be patient. It can take up to 3-4 weeks for the carb flu to go away. Your body is learning to prefer fat for fuel instead of carbs. Hang in there. You will know when you've made it. You will get your energy back and have a renewed sense of well being.

I’ve seen people try to go low carb and not succeed due to the carb flu or they’ve done low carb and lost some significant weight but then gained it all back as they fall into old eating habits again. This has happened to me as well, I’ve gotten derailed over the holidays but it is truly no longer worth it. My intolerance to wheat causes me great intestinal agony if I indulge in it and getting back on track isn’t always easy. Once I’m on the low carb train, everything runs smoothly and I feel great.