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I think I'm going through some sugar withdrawal since I've started the low-carb diet (again). Not for weight loss, but to feel and be healthier like I was before. I've done the low-carb thing before when I literally got sick off sugar, and for some reason I don't remember feeling this tired when switching diets - and I did go cold turkey last time (no refined sugars, no fruits). Anybody have experience with the symptoms of fatigue, slight dizziness, indescribable cravings (for either sugar/other vitamins) when you stop eating sugar-y foods ie. fruits, chocolate, grains, sweets, etc.? I'm wondering what I could be doing differently this time, or what I should be doing.
My question is why are you going back to a way of eating that you failed at before?
And yes, cutting out sugar will give you some unpleasant symptoms but they will pass. Just drink lots of water and wait it out.
My question is why are you going back to a way of eating that you failed at before?
This is exactly what I wanted to ask the OP.
OP, Ive said it over and over and over in the years Ive been on this board, its not about low carb, low sugar, low whatever, its about having a HEALTHY nutrition program/intake. For a lot of people (especially those who REALLY need to lose weight and/or improve their health) as soon as they go on a "diet" things often dont go so well (just like the last time you tried this "diet"). You want to "feel better and be healthier"? Then you must learn how to eat RIGHT. Eat HEALTHY. THAT is the right and BEST way to do it.
Go to one of your local bookstores or library and look up "NUTRITION". NOT diets!!! Especially stay away from fad type b.s. like dukan diet, eat right for your bood type sh*t, etc. Look for books on NUTRITION and begin your study for how to eat right and you never have to worry about "diets" again.
I think I'm going through some sugar withdrawal since I've started the low-carb diet (again). Not for weight loss, but to feel and be healthier like I was before. I've done the low-carb thing before when I literally got sick off sugar, and for some reason I don't remember feeling this tired when switching diets - and I did go cold turkey last time (no refined sugars, no fruits). Anybody have experience with the symptoms of fatigue, slight dizziness, indescribable cravings (for either sugar/other vitamins) when you stop eating sugar-y foods ie. fruits, chocolate, grains, sweets, etc.? I'm wondering what I could be doing differently this time, or what I should be doing.
You sound almost hypoglycemic to me (low blood sugar). Are you eating enough? Sometimes with low carb diets it can be hard to get in adequate calories - you have to be careful and not cut too much out. And what you do cut out, you need to replace with healthier foods. Especially if you're also exercising.
For me, cutting sugar/starchy carbs out of my diet this go around hasn't been that big of a deal because my diet has been evolving towards this and I have been exercising pretty steadily for the past couple of years. Plus I've learned to get lots of carbs through healthy veggies. It's a matter of eating more natural foods as opposed to manmade products.
But the first time I tried eating lower carb (South Beach) it was hard. I was used to my pasta, potatoes and ice cream. I was out of shape (flabby fat), too.
Last edited by springfieldva; 04-18-2012 at 02:12 PM..
My question is why are you going back to a way of eating that you failed at before?
And yes, cutting out sugar will give you some unpleasant symptoms but they will pass. Just drink lots of water and wait it out.
Sometimes you have to keep trying. If you're a total sugarholic, as I am, then you know that you need to stop and cutting down does not work. I was off sugar for years and got stupid and started to eat them again so should I give up? I don't think so unless I want to get diabetic really soon.
The thing is though, the OP tried to cut out too much at one time and that's a recipe for failure. If you've been all over the sugar, then you need to just cut that out but don't cut all carbs yet. Take 2 weeks at least to get the sugar out of your system and eat healthy foods and then reassess. You may not need to do anything else but that. The amino acid supplement L-glutamine is supposed to help even out blood sugar and cut cravings at these times when you're trying to cut back. You shouldn't need it more than a week.
Quote:
Originally Posted by springfieldva
You sound almost hypoglycemic to me (low blood sugar). Are you eating enough? Sometimes with low carb diets it can be hard to get in adequate calories - you have to be careful and not cut too much out. And what you do cut out, you need to replace with healthier foods. Especially if you're also exercising.
For me, cutting sugar/starchy carbs out of my diet this go around hasn't been that big of a deal because my diet has been evolving towards this and I have been exercising pretty steadily for the past couple of years. Plus I've learned to get lots of carbs through healthy veggies. It's a matter of eating more natural foods as opposed to manmade products.
But the first time I tried eating lower carb (South Beach) it was hard. I was used to my pasta, potatoes and ice cream. I was out of shape (flabby fat), too.
I agree with this--you sound hypoglycemic and this is what it feels like and you're probably more tired this time b/c you're more insulin resistant than you were last time. Not good for your brain really so just take out the sugar for now but save the low carbing for later. One thing I read that made sense is that most of your carbs should come from fruits and vegetables--just don't make an effort at this point to choose low carb ones. Since you don't need to lose weight, I don't think you'd need to do anything else except make sure you exercise b/c that will normalize blood sugar levels faster than anything.
Sometimes you have to keep trying. If you're a total sugarholic, as I am, then you know that you need to stop and cutting down does not work. I was off sugar for years and got stupid and started to eat them again so should I give up? I don't think so unless I want to get diabetic really soon.
The thing is though, the OP tried to cut out too much at one time and that's a recipe for failure. If you've been all over the sugar, then you need to just cut that out but don't cut all carbs yet. Take 2 weeks at least to get the sugar out of your system and eat healthy foods and then reassess. You may not need to do anything else but that. The amino acid supplement L-glutamine is supposed to help even out blood sugar and cut cravings at these times when you're trying to cut back. You shouldn't need it more than a week.
I agree with this--you sound hypoglycemic and this is what it feels like and you're probably more tired this time b/c you're more insulin resistant than you were last time. Not good for your brain really so just take out the sugar for now but save the low carbing for later. One thing I read that made sense is that most of your carbs should come from fruits and vegetables--just don't make an effort at this point to choose low carb ones. Since you don't need to lose weight, I don't think you'd need to do anything else except make sure you exercise b/c that will normalize blood sugar levels faster than anything.
Awesome, I am on it. I am still eating fruits to keep my sugar up without having crashes, and I'm feeling better now already. Maybe it was a shock to my body to start "being healthy" all at once. I also just started exercising, although I still spend a good 8-9 hours/day straight sitting down at my job. I know extremes are unhealthy, but there's not much I can do about this one issue right now, so I am focusing more on a balanced diet.
I also feel that having "failed" at a diet before, I shouldn't give up this time. The diet did not fail me before -- I recovered from my illness in only 8 months. And then I figured well, since I'm better now, I can actually eat all those cupcakes people are shoving in my face! And once you eat one cupcake, you know you'll start craving more and more...
So I wouldn't go for it at all now if it hadn't helped me the first time around. I believe I can do it again (and for good), but I still have sugar temptation and now these sugar-fluctuations, so I was just wondering if anyone is familiar, and I'm glad you pointed out hypoglycemia which I've also read about. Time to get "normalized"
So I wouldn't go for it at all now if it hadn't helped me the first time around. I believe I can do it again (and for good), but I still have sugar temptation and now these sugar-fluctuations, so I was just wondering if anyone is familiar, and I'm glad you pointed out hypoglycemia which I've also read about. Time to get "normalized"
I'm glad that is working better for you and I agree that getting off sugar can be crazy-making. It doesn't sound like that big of deal to people for whom it's not a problem but for those it is, we're just nodding our heads.
I would suggest a checkup! Symtoms could be normal withdraws or could be many other things! WHY Are you not eating the Healthy carbs like Apples oranges potatoes? In moderation of course!
Last edited by Katie1; 04-20-2012 at 06:18 PM..
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