Started IF with Keto

(Mark Young) #1

Hi everyone,

I started Keto again this week. I had tried it four times last year. Every time I did Keto, I would get diverticulitis. I’m back to give it another shot.

I added more greens to my diet. I drink a warm glass of water with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in the morning and in the evening. I’m drink more water than I ever have. I don’t keep track of the amount but I get crap at work because I’m constantly filling up my 32oz mug in the break room.

I added in intermittent fasting this go around. I do 16/8. 11am - 7pm is my window. I thought I was going to die on Monday morning (day 1). Now after a couple days I feel great. I don’t miss eating in the morning. For me this was very easy to change.

My concern right now is waking up in the middle of the night with painful headaches. This has happened the last two nights. Do I need to get some Mio electrolyte or salt in my water? I took a magnesium supplement last time to help things move through my system. Does that also help with preventing headaches?

Thanks for any help.

(Teresa Driver) #2

Definitely add salt to the water. That headache you’re describing is your body begging for sodium. Welcome back and good on you for the IF’ing.

(Kimberley Demarest) #3

I wonder if WebMD is right with the Diverticulitis- that increasing fiber helps prevent a flare up? I wonder if you used Psyllium Husk or chia seeds in your keto foods since they are uber high in fiber. Also coconut flour has a ton of fiber. Maybe focusing on that in the beginning and having a slightly higher total carb count will get you thru the early adaptation stages so you can get to the part where Keto lowers inflammation in the body. Just thinking out loud.

The headaches I definitely had and salt worked like a charm. 2 Keto Dudes has a podcast on just salt. it was very cool.

Good luck!

(Mark Young) #4

Thank you for the help. I will start adding salt to my water.

I will have to listen to that podcast. I haven’t listened to the podcast in a long time.

I have chia/flax mill. I will start adding that to my food.

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #5

Holy shit man (no pun intended), diverticulitis is caused by food getting lodged in existing intestinal pockets. Seeds are STRONGLY discouraged in the diet if you have the ailment.
Chia seeds would be a big NO.

Was it diagnosed by an MD?

Have you thought of trying zero carb? specifically animal products only? Zero plants might work well for you. I’ve done it for as long as 7 months and I felt great. There are others who have been zero carb for years with great success. Try a search in this forum. There is an entire section devoted to it.

And yes, headaches are most likely from lack of sodium. Supplement often during the day. Ketoers need 3 to 5 grams a day. Careful not to force fluids. This will further wash out salts.

(Mark Young) #6

Yes, all four times I had to go to the ER. It was definitely bad times all around. The first time it took me a couple of weeks to get over it. The fourth time it was about a month of lingering pain. I was also taking a lot of ibuprofen at the time. I didn’t know that causes intestinal issues.

I will look up zero carb. I have not researched that yet. Thanks

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #7

OK. Yes. Diverticulitis can be very serious. Normally they give you a list of foods to avoid, such as nuts and seeds, including strawberries and raspberries as they contain seeds.

I hope you do not have a recurrence.
Here is the zero carb category here on the forum.
https://www.ketogenicforums.com/c/food/zero-carb