Whether you’re trying to shed the pounds you’ve quarantined or are eager to satisfy your persistent hunger, chances are you’ve heard – or tried – to cut your carbohydrate intake. And for many people new to low-carb or ketogenic diets, the idea of being able to eat steak, eggs, bacon, and butter while losing weight seems like a pretty compelling prospect. However, weight loss may not be the only thing you get when you eliminate the carbs from your diet. Read on to discover the side effects of giving up carbs, experts say. And before you waste your time at the supermarket, check out these expected vegetable shortages in 2021, according to experts.
If you suddenly feel moody but don’t know why, your new low-carb diet could be to blame.
“By cutting out carbohydrates completely, your blood glucose level can drop. When the body is in a low glucose state, the adrenal glands release these hormones that tell the body that it is in a stressed state and the body perceives it as ‘life-threatening’. . ” explains internal physician Sheneen Lalani, TO DO. Lalani explains that this can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
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That sudden headache that OTC medications can’t touch could stem from your decision to cut the carbs from your diet.
“If you don’t eat enough sugar and your blood sugar drops, it can cause extreme headaches,” says Lalani, who recommends adding extra water to your daily routine if you choose to lower your carbohydrate intake to help. ward off these symptoms. Are you considering changing your eating plan? Discover the 20 Best Foods for the Keto Diet.
Moving from a high-carb diet to a diet high in protein and fat can affect your digestion, often leading to constipation.
“This is because dietary fiber is found in carbohydrates, which is essential for elimination,” explains Amanda terillo, MS, RD, IFNCP.
Worse, it can lead to even more dangerous digestive issues. According to Lalani, stomach cramps and intestinal blockages can also result from low-carb diets. And if you’re thinking about lowering your carbohydrate intake, check out these 8 Big Mistakes You’re Making With the Keto Diet.
Giving up carbs means throwing away an important source of fuel that your body relies on – and that can quickly zap your energy.
“When someone gives up carbohydrates, the body will start to feel weakness and fatigue,” says nutritionist Arianna Foster, editor at Carnivore Style. And if you want to know where carbs lurk in your diet, check out these 21 Hidden Sources of Carbs You Won’t Believe.
Understandably, you would be missing out on some of the carbohydrate-rich foods you used to eat if you were to cut them out of your diet. In some cases, you can even develop serious cravings for them that are hard to ignore.
Eliminating virtually all carbohydrates from your diet “leads to a high risk of nutrient deficiency, making you feel more hungry and craving more food,” says Foster.
While you may be giving up carbohydrates to feel better, you can feel significantly worse in the short term.
“One of the most common side effects of eliminating carbohydrates is flu-like symptoms,” says a registered nutritionist. Jay Corwin, formulations director at ASYSTEM. “Your body is detoxing and you will have to drink a lot of water and monitor your body to see if the symptoms go away.”