So many questions!

(Tiffany) #1

Hi. I’m new to the Keto diet and to this forum and I feel like I have too many questions. I have done a lot of reading, and though much of what I have read seems to be consistent my questions aren’t getting answered as clear as I would like. Of course if my headaches would go away then I might be able to think clearer.

I’m going on my 6th day of starting the Keto diet, so I know I’m in my early stages, and the first few days I was great, and the last two have been so hard. My sweet cravings (I have a massive sweet tooth and that’s been so hard to resist) have returned, and though I have not given in yet I thought these would subside once I went into Ketosis? Also, about that… does Ketosis mean fat adapted or just that I’m producing ketones? I bought the urin test strips and according to the reading I have moderate to high levels of ketones being produced… does this mean I’ve entered into a state of Ketosis or do I have to wait to be far adapted? I thought once my body entered Ketosis that I would get over this “Keto flu.” Part of me thinks I should be more patient, but the other part needs answers. Though weight loss is a bonus, I actually started the Keto diet to help with Inflammation especially around my lower back and pelvic area. I see those results right away, but I can’t live in this state of sluggish, ups and downs of energy and a constant muggy headache all the time…

Also, I’ve read word like, “kicking you out of keytosis” does this mean if I splurg on day and eat more carbs than healthy fats (let’s face it, some foods are just fattening and unhealthy and they taste oh so good!) and my body uses those carbs for energy I will be out of keytosis and I’ll have to go through this whole process again? Or is it like riding a bike and I fell off and just have to jump back on and ride?

I appreciate any advise, answers and encouragment that can be givin.

  • I’m going to apologize now for any and all missed spelled words of grammer… those are not my strong suits on a good day. Thanks in advance for all help!! :blush:
(Ron) #2
#3

Keep calm!! I think your body is just confused.
Yes you have excess ketones in your urine. This could be because your body is not using them well yet. You’re craving sugar possibly because your body has run on it your whole life and is running out of stored sugar. Just keep doing what you’re doing and it should get easier once you’re metabolism relearns and gets with the program.

#4

Keep the electrolytes up to help with the keto flu symptoms- there’s a recipe you can look for ‘ketoaide’, or otherwise have salt & look into supplementing magnesium & possibly potassium.
Getting fat adapted can take 6-8 weeks, hopefully cravings will go then, if not before. You can still have low energy levels until then. I was a big carb addict before, my cravings went I think after the first few weeks, & energy levels gradually went up after 4 weeks. Stick with it & be patient, it’ll be worth it!
This is a helpful article about ketosis & fat adaptation: http://www.tuitnutrition.com/2016/01/dont-be-a-ketard1.html
If you can avoid going over the carbs until you’re fat adapted it will help the process, slipping up will delay it.
I didn’t think I could live without carbs, I started this WOE looking at it as a short term diet to lose weight quickly, but once I’d found some lovely new recipes (on here & DietDoctor have some good ones too), plus once I found my energy levels going back to how I used to be years ago, I realised I don’t want to go back to eating rubbish, & feeling bad, I plan to stick to this WOE now! I hope that this is encouraging?

#5

Hi Tiffany, I completely agree with @jules4 comments; follow that advice and you’ll be great!
Ali

(LeeAnn Brooks) #6

If you’ve read about Keto, surely youve come across mention of Keto flu?

This is what you are experiencing right now. Work on your electrolytes. This will help. You will feel sluggish for a while (about 1-3 weeks depending on how quickly your body adapts) and then you will start to see improvements as you approach fat adaption.

Cheating during the adaption phase which averages 6-8 weeks will slow down how long this phase takes. We advise not to go above 20 net grams of carbs during this period for that reason. Once you feel that you are fat adapted, then you can play around with adding more carbs and see where your personal threshold is. Many people can stay in ketosis with higher levels of carbs.

Hang in there. It is worth the pain you’re experiencing now.
KCKO

(Tiffany) #7

Thanks for all the answers thus far. Yes, I’ve read about the Keto flu but thought once I hit Ketosis it would go away… I guess I’ll have to wait till I’m fat adapted. Eating lots of salt is difficult for me as I pretty much cut salt out of my original diet (cut the salts and pumped up the sugar… I ran off of a lot of sugar!). I’m so happy I found this forum. Everything on here has been very helpful and encouraging. Thank you

(LeeAnn Brooks) #8

Keto flu can hit anyone at anytime since it’s an electrolyte imbalance. It doesn’t happen to veterans as much because they have learned to control it more intuitively, but it can still happen if they let them get out of balance.

(Terence Dean) #9

This video is good for people new to Keto.

#10

Thanks, Terence. I found the videos quite informative and watched all three. Most of interest, was in part 3, where he speaks on fasting. Good information for anyone interested in incorporating this into their regimen.

(Terence Dean) #11

No problem, there’s a ton of information out there on Ketogenics but I find Phinney to be one of the best for allaying fears about the ketogenic diet. He’ll tell you outright whether something is dangerous or not.