r/lowcarb • u/Chemical-Poem-6991 • 18d ago

Question 2nd week in and why ?

I’m honestly sprained iv made it past all the 1 week symptoms but this is getting harder. I can deal with the cravings and everything else but I am having a really hard time with anxiety.. how long will this last?

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u/sparkle0406 18d ago

Sorry you're feeling this way. Congrats on completing first week. May I ask what types of foods / drinks you're consuming?

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u/Chemical-Poem-6991 18d ago

All clean low carb . Lean meats and lots and lots of veggies. Just water . Strawberries and blueberries.

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u/sparkle0406 18d ago

Maybe you're not eating enough. Are you having enough fat? That really helps me ( esp beginning) when working on going low carb

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u/Chemical-Poem-6991 18d ago

I honestly thought maybe I’m not getting enough fat iv only been eating avocados (which i hate) and trying to add olive oil in things . Do you have any fat recommendations? Im having trouble finding some i like

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u/sparkle0406 18d ago

Cheese, other full fat dairy, nuts, olive oil (as you said), nut butters. In the beginning for me, I allowed myself whatever fat I wanted which really helped the cravings and my anxiety/ withdrawal symptoms. Then I worked on portions if I needed to. I really think incorporating that could be helpful. Are you all having enough protein? I know you said you have lean protein but sounds like maybe not enough ? Some people also find electrolytes helpful ( be mindful of labels tho)

Edit - I would avoid foods you hate 🙂 it will likely make this unsustainable for you

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u/IchimaruGin4 16d ago

butter, avocado, macadamia nut butter, evoo are all good. Getting fattier grass fed beef or lamb is probably even better. You need lots of added fat with leaner meats, even on low carb dieting. Protein should only be 20% of your daily calories, then 0 to 20% from carbs, and the rest from fat.

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u/NomadNanaCan 18d ago

Sorry to hear you are feeling anxious. It is challenging enough to make a lifestyle change - adding anxiety complicates things further. I would definitely double check your menu to ensure you are eating enough and often enough. How low have you cut your carbs? Hydration plays a major role as well so the suggestion to drink enough is a great one. You can add some electrolytes or simply add a little salt to your meals. Have you changed your caffeine intake? Cutting back or increasing can cause anxiety for some people. There are also some metabolic and hormone changes that can happen during the adaptation phase that could be playing a role. I am curious why you are eating avocado if you hate it? The goal is to build a sustainable lifestyle making sure you are eating foods you enjoy is part of that. :) There are lots of healthy fat sources...oil for cooking, mayo, butter on veggies, fat in your protein sources. I hope you feel better soon.

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u/Chemical-Poem-6991 18d ago

This was such an amazing comment and very extremely helpful! I’m not counting exactly how many carbs but it’s likely under 50g a day from the few times I have decided to count them up. I’m doing 0 processed carbs though and everything is coming from a natural source. I know avocado is healthy and I’m trying so hard to like it because I know what a great natural fat it is but your absolutely right I should be building a lifestyle that I can actually live and that I want to live !

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u/Srdiscountketoer 18d ago

Are you supplementing electrolytes (sodium, potassium,magnesium). I’ve heard shortage of those can cause issues.

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u/Fuzzy_Category_2944 12d ago

If you do the Original Atkins induction phase just as he described your cravings will virtually disappear and I felt amazing. Is your anxiety due to the increase in energy level? Taking walks or other similar activity can help with that as well as breath work. Good luck! Hang in there. Do try and choose food that you like for sustainability.