Feeling Faint and Light headed after Eating

#1

About a week and a half into Keto and things have been going fine. However the last two days (same time both days) Ive been experiencing a sudden onset of weakness and lightheadedness right after eating my lunch…and even developing while im still eating it.

I would eat breakfast as normal and I would feel totally fine up till lunch…then boom. Same thing 3 days in a row now.I also have some digestion and gut distress but I figured thats a natural occurrence from the Keto switch.

Ive read some things that say sometimes people experience sudden low bp after eating a meal when the body directs the blood to the intestines…but that never happened before and it doesnt happen after breakfast. Ive also read that maybe really high protein could trigger insulin and its making my blood sugar really low?

My first week of food tracking did show me a trend that I was not hitting my protein goal and always hitting or surpassing my fats goal. So Ive been trying to work in more protein. This week I made a chicken heavy green bean casserole dish that tastes awesome! But its higher in protein than in fats.

But its really stressful to be at work (and I often have to work on my feet) and feel this way. Feeling like I might fall over or I simply dont have the strength or composure to stand or even sit at my desk.

(Omar) #2

It looks like you are deprevated from minerals.

Take magnesiuam and potasium supplements.

And salt as well.

Hang on there it will take time for your body to adjust but eventualy it worth it.

#3

I have had this same thing happen…But was prior to keto…But it was always when I hate a big green salad with lots of chicken breast…Might be the high protein thing? I always wondered too because I don’t have any blood sugar issues that I know of.

(Garry (Canada)) #4

I don’t know if this is what you experience, but occasionally I get a real euphoric high feeling when I put the first bite of food in my mouth. It only lasts about 5-10 seconds, but it’s quite interesting…not concerning.

(Edith) #5

Make sure you are getting enough salt. Stephen Phinney says 5g of sodium daily which is about 2 teaspoons.

(Candy Lind) #6

I agree with the comments about salt. If your problem IS a low BP thing, this will bring it up. If it’s an electrolyte imbalance, salt regulates electrolytes and should help. Make certain you are drinking plenty of water. When I feel light-headed, I drink at least 8 ounces of water (usually with salt) and a few minutes later I’m fine.

I think most of the macro calculators overestimate the amount of protein you actually need, especially if you want to lose weight (not everyone starts eating keto for weight loss - it does a lot of other miraculous things). Search in the forums for protein and see if what people say they are consuming matches what you are (keeping similar ht/wt/LBW in mind). @brenda has mentioned that she really doesn’t need a ton of protein, and she is a heavy lifter. Conversely, if you eat too much protein, it will convert to glucose and keep you out of ketosis, so make sure you actually need what you’re consuming.

KCKO!

#7

I upped me protein myself since my friend said it was really low, but maybe ill put it back down. I plan to continue my physical activity because Im training for a triathlon in August.