Low Blood Sugar
I am over two weeks in of doing the keto diet. The first week I had a day of headache and lots of brain fog. Last night I felt absolutely awful. Super dizzy, poor vision, and extremely faint, as if I could pass out. I ate a good amount of food (calories were good) and tons of water. I did a pretty good workout earlier in the day and remembered when someone gave me the tip of making broth from a bouillon cube to replenish electrolytes. That didn’t do it for me. The way I felt was text book low blood sugar. I am not diagnosed but I have had many spells in the past. Now I’m scared that the keto diet just isn’t right for me. I have lost 9 lb in two weeks with the combo of diet and light exercise. I would like to keep going.
Any thougts or experience with this?
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You may have pushed yourself too hard during the workout. That has happened to me. I would suggest getting more electrolytes in, rest and water. Oh, and ease up on the workouts a little.
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I agree go easy and try a few grams of berries if it happens again. I went through something similar but didn’t eat berries I admit. Get a blood glucose & ketone monitor. I now have 1 or 2 squares of 90% cocoa dark chocolate (Lindt 😍) but it rarely happens at 3 months Keto. The choc is yummy less than 19g carbs even if I ate the whole bar which I have NEVER done. This is my first venture into something legally sweet for me & is working well. Keep us posted.
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most of the books I've read all say that exercise during the keto adaption period is particularly recommended. The need for salt on keto is important and something I really felt during the adaptation phase. Keto scientists say that anywhere from 2500-5000 mg a day may be needed, which is way over the "rda". The thought of boullion grosses me out so I got Morton lite salt (since it's a mix of sodium and potassium) and will sometimes thrown back 1/8 teaspoon like a pill (with food on the stomach), especially on days when feeling weak, headachy or extra thirsty. The kidneys do not hold water like they do on the usual carb rich diet so water will wash through quicker and take salt and potassium with it. I also salt everything more than I did before. I also take a magnesium supplement in the evening. Give your body time to adjust, make sure you're getting enough fat, low enough carbs to get keto adapted, and enough salt. And get enough rest. You're body is going through a real adjustment right now. This isn't just a diet, it's a whole new nutritional approach to living.
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I mean to say that exercise during the adaption is phase is NOT particularly recommended. Sorry - typo.
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I agree with all the posts to your original post. This sounds like insulin resistance, and well, really terrible keto flu. I had this for weeks unfortunately. I slept it off a lot when I could and I had some Berries in evenings to help push me through it. Get multi minerals in and listen to these posters.
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Also, would be good to get a blood glucose monitor. Take your fasting level in the mornings. Keep us posted. Mine never dipped below 65 but I felt terrible.
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Wow how long does this last. I'm going through the same thing and it feels very stressful to my body which is bad for my adrenals. I did this to feel good, not bad. Are we talking weeks or months? I'm on day 10.
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What blood monitor would you recommend? I don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on it just in case this way of eating doesn’t agree with my body. I already have the urine sticks. It has been showing moderate ketosis so I’m definitely in it and have been feeling it. Last nights spell was a much different feeling than the ‘flu’. It was scary. Going forward I will definitely eat some berries and be more diligent with my multivitamin.
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Bingbong
Are talking about a blood glucose monitoring system? If so, I recommend the Contour next ONE. Great customer service if you have a problem and so easy to use. Price is right also-$11.99 from Amazon. 5 year warranty and syncs up with the Contour Diabetes App. Company website: www.countourone.com
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hal_jacksonb622 Thank you, Hal! And yes, that is what I meant. I will definitely look into it.
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badmojomn There was a Diabetes awareness day once where a Nurse took my blood sugar readings and my blood sugar was at 30, she was concerned and asked me if I have low blood sugar. But I did not do the diet and I had a small handful of skittles just about an hour or so before. I felt great though. When I go to the DR for check ups, I had the highest reading of 80. I really think the A1C is the key, or a continues check, of fasting and after meals really would give an accurate picture.
Myself I noticed when my blood sugar is the lower side I feel best. If it is on the high side I'm more hungry and my body hurts more. That's the only reason I do the diet. The weight loss is just a bonus for me, that adds to my feeling much better. I am surprised to hear so many don't feel good, when the blood sugar drops below 70. I need to read more about that now...lol
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I was recommended to use MIO electrolytes. It’s in a triangle bottle and it’s concentrated. Just squirt into a bottle of water following the directions. Helped me.
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Bingbong Keto Mojo is the best. The whole kit is the meter, blood tester, and two bottles of strips for $99. The strips are about .90 cents a piece also. Cheapest I found and the directions to set up is on You Tube.
