Why am I feeling so bloated?!

(jilliangordona) #1

Hey y’all, a little background: started keto pre-thanksgiving and did awesome until Christmas, I dropped a few pounds and was way less bloated. Yay!

However I dropped keto during Christmas and am back on the horse for about two weeks now. Right now I am CRAZY bloated! Anyone else experience this???

(Elis Diaz) #2

Did you start eating anything new?I learned that macadamia nuts leaves me VERY bloated, I tried them out when it was discussed in the podcast. I only have two every now and then.

(Kathy Swanson) #3

How are you doing on your salt intake? Are you retaining water or gas?

(jilliangordona) #4

I’m fairly certain it’s water. I drink about two large Nalgene sized water bottles a day and have two boullion cubes in the evening.

(Kathy Swanson) #5

?I am not sure how much water that is but it could be too much. Are your fingers swollen too? If so you might want to increase the salt some.

(jilliangordona) #6

They are, looks like I may need to try a little more salt shaking

(Scott Shillady) #7

Don’t forget the magnesium, and potassium as well

#8

So bloating like retaining water? That’s pretty unusual if you’re in ketosis. I would double check your carb intake. If you’re sure your carbs are low like 20 max, you could try cutting back on your sodium for a couple days to see if that helps.

(Jamie Hayes) #9

I just read a new article on bloating. I’m not sure it was written as an educator of doctors or as a clinician who treats bloating every day.

I’ve found when anyone goes keto, they eliminate the main bloating offenders: wheat, rye and barley, legumes (chick peas, lentils), and for some dairy. The bloating magically disappears.

The only caution is to be aware the artificial sweeteners used in many low carb protein bars from the USA.

Also, some try to treat bloating with fibre, linseed and chia seeds, but for others like me, they cause bloating.

The other issue is how to test. Be aware that it’s easy to get confused. Let’s say you eliminate one known cause of bloating (say gluten) and remain bloated. You say “Obviously that’s not it.” And so then you swap and instead eliminate another (say dairy) and remain bloated. You say “Obviously that’s not it either.” But you may have been intolerant to both. It’s only by complete elimination and the gradual introduction (challenge test) of one item at a time, does your body tell you what foods offend you.

Of course, if you’re keto and staying that way, many of the offenders will be naturally out of your diet.