I’ve been experimenting with low carb for the last couple of months and it’s been a challenge. I’ve lost weight, and my energy levels are up, but I don’t feel satisfied, and I’m constantly feeling like I need to eat something. Then I often feel hungry again. I don’t want to give up on this diet. Is there anything I can do to make it easier?
If you’re new to low-carb eating, you’ve likely experienced a common scenario: You’re hungry, but you’re also tired and fatigued. This is because your body is trying to store as much energy as possible to stay alive and active while on the low-carb diet. And to do so, it needs fuel, namely carbohydrates. You’ll hit a point where you’re both fatigued and hungry, and while this can happen any time as you start a low-carb diet, it’s more likely to happen during the first few weeks of a ketogenic diet.
If you’re experiencing fatigue and hunger on your low carb diet, you’re probably eating too much. But, what can you do? This is a common problem, but you don’t need to give up your low carb diet. The key is to eat enough and follow the low carb diet to the letter.
What can you do if you’re on a low-carb diet and you’re tired and hungry?
The answer to this and other questions – for example, what else can you do to lose weight, and can low carb reverse heart disease? – in this week’s Q&A with Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt:
Hunger and exhaustion
Hello, and thank you for creating this site!
I have two inquiries:
- I’ve been following the LCHF diet religiously and consistently since September 6th, 2016 (after a 6-month trial period). As a birthday present, I had my whole family participate in the two-week challenge. I’m finally getting a handle on my cravings, but I’m still exhausted all of the time. I had to lie down for 30 minutes after a 15-minute stroll with my dog. I’m at a loss on what to do. I need to drop 75 pounds (34 kg). I consume 9–17 net carbohydrates each day, as well as a healthy quantity of fat.
- This is something I’m doing with my (adult) daughter. She consumes an average of 12 carbohydrates each day and is somewhat obese. The issue is that she becomes ravenous within an hour after eating (ex. an egg with butter and cheese, turkey sausage, and snap peas). I’ve given her various “fat bombs,” almonds, and coconut manna, all of which assist with energy rather than hunger. She consumes macadamia nuts on a regular basis. She wants to keep going, but she’s weary of being so uneasy.
Carlina
Carlina,
- Do you drink enough water and eat enough salt? I’d strongly advise trying to get some extra, such as a cup of bouillon twice a day. It may immediately solve the issue, allowing you to do it less often.
- I’d recommend eating extra fat if she becomes hungry within an hour of eating. You may believe you’re eating “enough,” but she may just need more. The primary source of energy on a low-carb diet is fat, and if your daughter doesn’t have a lot of extra weight to shed, that fat will have to come from her food. As a result, add extra fat. Here are some ideas on how to go about it.
Best, Eenfeldt, Andreas
Is it possible to cure heart disease by eating this way? If so, when will it begin?
Thank you very much for making this website available! It’s been very beneficial in regaining my health. I’ve been consuming sugar and heavy carbohydrates for three decades and have many of the insulin resistance indicators, while not being formally classified as diabetes. As a consequence, I’m convinced I have heart disease at 51 years old. Is it possible to reverse it by eating HFLC? If so, when will the reversal begin?
Maureen
Hello, Maureen!
The response is that we don’t know for sure, but it’s conceivable. After two years of LCHF counseling, the Shai research published in Circulation in 2010 revealed a reduction in atherosclerosis.
If all risk factors are under control and normal – blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol profile, body weight, no smoking, and so on – heart disease is likely to slow down and even heal.
Best, Eenfeldt, Andreas
Is there anything more I can do to reduce weight?
For the last month, I’ve been strictly following your diet. I’ve only dropped 5 pounds (2 kg). I then made careful to exclude all fruit (except 1/2 cup of berries), all dairy (except yogurt), and all nuts (save a handful or fewer of pecans). Oh, and I included your twice-to-three-times-a-week intermittent fasting. I stepped on the scale yesterday and gained a pound. With the fruit, yogurt, and pecans, my husband dropped 25 pounds (11 kg) in a month on this diet. What are your views on this?
Anne
Hello, Anne!
My initial impression is that weight reduction is very unequal; some individuals (particularly males) have it easy while others (particularly women over 40) do not.
Using a scale once a week, on the other hand, is a little difficult since the numbers may change by several pounds from one time to the next, even if it’s just a few hours. So it’s still conceivable that you’re losing slowly and that you’ll continue to lose if you keep doing what you’re doing (it sounds like the right thing). If you haven’t tried them all yet, here are some additional suggestions: How to Get in Shape.
Best, Eenfeldt, Andreas
More
Beginners’ Low-Carb Diet
Answers to More Questions
There are a lot more questions and answers:
Low-Carb Q&A
Low carbohydrate diets are all the rage these days, but what happens if you are living on the diet, but you’re still feeling tired and hungry? How can you have a low-carb diet and not lose weight? In this article we’ll cover what to do if you’re tired and hungry on a low-carb diet and offer tips on how to overcome this problem.. Read more about feeling weak and tired on low-carb diet and let us know what you think.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you stop fatigue on a low-carb diet?
Unfortunately, there is no way to stop fatigue on a low-carb diet.
Why am I so tired on my low-carb diet?
The low-carb diet is a very restrictive diet. Its important to remember that your body needs carbohydrates in order to function properly, and restricting them can lead to fatigue.
How do I get energy on a low-carb diet?
You can get energy from a variety of sources, including protein and fat.
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