Whether you’re trying to lose the pounds you’ve put on quarantine or anxious to appease your lingering hunger, you’ve probably heard – or tried – cut your carbohydrate intake. And for many people who are starting diets low in carbohydrates or ketogenic, the idea of being able to eat steak, eggs, bacon and butter while losing weight seems a very attractive prospect. However, weight loss may not be the only thing you get when you get rid of carbohydrates from your diet. Read on to find out the side effects of giving up carbohydrates, according to experts. And before you waste your time at the supermarket, take a look at Food shortages to wait in 2021, according to experts.
If you’re suddenly feeling sulky, but don’t know why, your carbohydrate-free diet may be to blame.
“Cutting carbohydrates completely can reduce the level of glucose in the blood. When the body has a low glucose state, the adrenal glands release these hormones that tell the body that it is in a state of stress and the body perceives it as ‘life risk’.” explains internal medicine doctor Sheneen Lalani, DOES. Lalani explains that this can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
RELATED: Sign up for our newsletter to receive daily recipes and food news in your inbox!
That sudden headache that OTC drugs can’t touch can result from your decision to get rid of carbohydrates from the diet.
“When you don’t eat enough sugar and there is a drop in your blood glucose level, it can cause extreme headaches,” says Lalani, who recommends adding extra water to your daily routine if you choose to reduce your carbohydrate intake to help rule out these symptoms. Are you thinking of changing your eating plan? Discover the 20 best foods for the Keto diet.
Switching from a high carbohydrate diet to a high protein and fat diet can affect your digestive system, 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 problems. According to Lalani, stomach cramps and intestinal obstruction can also result from low-carbohydrate diets. And if you are thinking of reducing your carbohydrate intake, check out these 8 main mistakes you are making in the Keto diet.
Giving up on carbohydrates means that you are abandoning an important source of fuel your body used to rely on – and that can quickly deplete your energy.
“When a person gives up on carbohydrates, the body begins to feel weak and fatigued”, says the nutritionist Arianna Foster, editorial director of Carnivore Style. And if you want to know where carbohydrates are hiding in your diet, take a look at these 21 hidden sources of carbohydrates that you won’t believe.
It is understandable that you may lose some of the carbohydrate-rich foods you used to eat when you start cutting them out of your diet. In some cases, you may even develop serious desires for them that are difficult to ignore.
Eliminating virtually all carbohydrates from your diet “leads to a high risk of nutrient deficiency, which makes you feel more hungry and want more food,” says Foster.
Although you may be giving up carbohydrates in an attempt to feel better, you may feel significantly worse in the short term.
“One of the most common side effects of eliminating carbohydrates is flu-like symptoms,” says registered nutritionist Jay Corwin, director of formulations at ASYSTEM. “Your body is detoxifying and you will need to drink plenty of water and monitor your body to see if the symptoms go away.”