Irritability when starting to low carb - how do you deal?

kayellr · 02-27-2013, 08:44 AM

I've noticed what seems to be a lot of irritability in people new to induction/low carbing. When I first did low carb my moods went completely haywire the first week. Withdrawing from carbs was no fun. My brain didn't seem to work right, and I wanted to bite people in the absence of biting my favorite treats.

Now I know that part of that irritability was that my body had not switched over to burning fat efficiently and so my brain was getting a rather uneven amount of "fuel." Fortunately, before giving this a try again, I did some serious reading and found some things that helped get me through the nasties. The nice part is that now ketosis is well established, my over all "normal" level moods have improved tremendously. So the edginess at first was well worth it.

Like anyone, I certainly won't claim to being free of bad moods!, but they're much better. The biggest things that helped me were 1) eating more fat (lots of fat!) 2) salty broth 3) walking outside in natural light.

What ways have you all found that help smooth out the shakes, the irritability etc?

Kateee · 02-27-2013, 10:24 AM

5-HTP helped me

adiasmc1 · 02-27-2013, 10:38 AM

Kayellr - Ha ha, that made me laugh, the biting people part. I have so been there before when weaning off carbs and I totally know what you mean

5 HTP and glutamine have been a big help for me too!

jenericstewart · 02-27-2013, 10:49 AM

I don't know if this is a good recommendation, but I unintentionally kicked the carb addiction by overloading on everything. I overloaded on the proteins/fats, while eating high carb foods, and the transition happened without my realizing what was going on (transition took approximately 1 month). Before long, I realized how good I felt with the increases, and slowly the carbs dropped off.

(I didn't start this with weight loss in mind. That was a byproduct. My intention was to have more energy and lessen the ever plaguing depression.)

Whenever I hear people express their irritability when starting, I always wonder if they're not eating enough.

thealything · 02-28-2013, 07:11 PM

smoking.

but now I'm quitting, and my anti-smoking medication causes agitation, so it's altogether a bad scene.

Mimosa23 · 03-01-2013, 12:20 AM

A nice cup of homemade broth with some extra salt helps me.

Also, drinking water, doing something when you feel moody/sensitive, like going for a walk outside.

Kriss · 03-02-2013, 12:59 PM

Oh yeah i experienced that

Sharss · 03-02-2013, 02:23 PM

Can't say I ever felt irritable. Felt extremely tired starting Atkins, but felt that way before I started so can't blame low carbs. I do take all kinds of vities though.

____________________________
Keep your eye on YOUR goal and you'll way more easily navigate around the discouraging obstacles.
___________________________

KEEP MOVING FORWARD
Sharon

zombiegoat2000 · 03-02-2013, 03:13 PM

I've yet to master the art of not being cranky yet!

02-27-2013, 08:44 AM	#1
kayellr Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Virginia, US Posts: 40 Gallery: kayellr Stats: 5'5" 195/183.2/135 WOE: Primal/LCHF/Nutritional Ketosis Start Date: 1/29/2013	Irritability when starting to low carb - how do you deal? I've noticed what seems to be a lot of irritability in people new to induction/low carbing. When I first did low carb my moods went completely haywire the first week. Withdrawing from carbs was no fun. My brain didn't seem to work right, and I wanted to bite people in the absence of biting my favorite treats. Now I know that part of that irritability was that my body had not switched over to burning fat efficiently and so my brain was getting a rather uneven amount of "fuel." Fortunately, before giving this a try again, I did some serious reading and found some things that helped get me through the nasties. The nice part is that now ketosis is well established, my over all "normal" level moods have improved tremendously. So the edginess at first was well worth it. Like anyone, I certainly won't claim to being free of bad moods!, but they're much better. The biggest things that helped me were 1) eating more fat (lots of fat!) 2) salty broth 3) walking outside in natural light. What ways have you all found that help smooth out the shakes, the irritability etc?

02-27-2013, 10:49 AM	#4
jenericstewart Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 197 Gallery: jenericstewart Stats: 293+/213/183 WOE: BBD / JUDDD / CAD combo Start Date: 6/7/12	I don't know if this is a good recommendation, but I unintentionally kicked the carb addiction by overloading on everything. I overloaded on the proteins/fats, while eating high carb foods, and the transition happened without my realizing what was going on (transition took approximately 1 month). Before long, I realized how good I felt with the increases, and slowly the carbs dropped off. (I didn't start this with weight loss in mind. That was a byproduct. My intention was to have more energy and lessen the ever plaguing depression.) Whenever I hear people express their irritability when starting, I always wonder if they're not eating enough. __________________ 100 carbs/day: July 10 lbs; Aug 8 lbs JUDDD: Sept 10 lbs; Oct 11 lbs; Nov 9 lbs; Dec 3 lbs; Jan 0 lbs; Feb 0 lbs JUDDD/Atkins combo: Mar 5 lbs; Apr (gave up sugar free gum/pop) 15 lbs BBD/JUDDD/CAD (craving free finally!!!!): May 9 lbs Last edited by jenericstewart; 02-27-2013 at 10:53 AM..

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02-27-2013, 10:24 AM	#2
Kateee Major LCF Poster! Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,295 Gallery: Kateee Stats: 220/162.2/155 (5'9") WOE: Atkins Phase 3-4 Start Date: April 2011	5-HTP helped me

02-27-2013, 10:38 AM	#3
adiasmc1 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 391 Gallery: adiasmc1 WOE: LC	Kayellr - Ha ha, that made me laugh, the biting people part. I have so been there before when weaning off carbs and I totally know what you mean 5 HTP and glutamine have been a big help for me too!

02-28-2013, 07:11 PM	#5
thealything Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 490 Gallery: thealything Stats: 238/196/138 5'7" WOE: Atkins (DANDR) Start Date: restart March '12	smoking. but now I'm quitting, and my anti-smoking medication causes agitation, so it's altogether a bad scene.

03-01-2013, 12:20 AM	#6
Mimosa23 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 5,927 Gallery: Mimosa23 Stats: 220/206/150 WOE: Nourishing Traditions without grains/IF	A nice cup of homemade broth with some extra salt helps me. Also, drinking water, doing something when you feel moody/sensitive, like going for a walk outside.

03-02-2013, 12:59 PM	#7
Kriss Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 600 Gallery: Kriss Stats: 136/136/115 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 2/16/13	Oh yeah i experienced that

03-02-2013, 02:23 PM	#8
Sharss Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: WA Posts: 948 Gallery: Sharss Stats: 5'6 1/2" 71yr 136/130/125/121 Met 125 lbs 3/25/13 WOE: Calorie Counting/Low-Glycemic-Index Diet Start Date: Restarting 12/29/12	Can't say I ever felt irritable. Felt extremely tired starting Atkins, but felt that way before I started so can't blame low carbs. I do take all kinds of vities though. ____________________________ Keep your eye on YOUR goal and you'll way more easily navigate around the discouraging obstacles. ___________________________ KEEP MOVING FORWARD Sharon

03-02-2013, 03:13 PM	#9
zombiegoat2000 Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 734 Gallery: zombiegoat2000 Stats: Start 296.0#/269.8#/150# 5'8" Female WOE: Low Carb Start Date: January2012	I've yet to master the art of not being cranky yet!