New to Low Carb
 

I am new to the low carb lifestyle. I have now attempted this approach a few times, and have some major body responses that make it very hard for me to break through the first week or two.
I have hypothyroidism, and was up to the maximum dose of synthroid before I began to gain major side effects from the medications. The doctor agreed to lower the doseage, but he wanted me to drastically change my diet as a tradeoff to the med. In essence, the only foods I would be allowed to eat would be meat, vegetables (including starchy veg other than potatoes), eggs, and nuts/seeds. I discovered it was very similar to the Paleo Diet. However, I was not able to eat sweet potatoes or fruit. The problem was that I would hit a massive wall about 3-4 days in (major heat flashes that lasted a long time, headaches, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, memory difficulties, general grouchiness :-/. When I thought I was past this wall, I would hit it again about a week or so later. The problem was that I would get migraines so severe that I could not function at all for several days. I finally gave in to bread, and the migraines disappeared. The thing is that during this couple of weeks I experienced amazing weightloss that came back once I caved in to breads again. Have any of you experienced this? How do you break past that point of the body putting up such a fierce fight? I would welcome any and all thoughts and suggestions that are shared through similar experiences!

Journey
330/320/155

New to Low Carb
 

On Sun, 10 Feb 2013 23:00:17 +0000, JourneyToBetterHealth
m wrote:


I am new to the low carb lifestyle. I have now attempted this approach
a few times, and have some major body responses that make it very hard
for me to break through the first week or two.
I have hypothyroidism, and was up to the maximum dose of synthroid
before I began to gain major side effects from the medications. The
doctor agreed to lower the doseage, but he wanted me to drastically
change my diet as a tradeoff to the med. In essence, the only foods I
would be allowed to eat would be meat, vegetables (including starchy veg
other than potatoes), eggs, and nuts/seeds. I discovered it was very
similar to the Paleo Diet. However, I was not able to eat sweet
potatoes or fruit. The problem was that I would hit a massive wall
about 3-4 days in (major heat flashes that lasted a long time,
headaches, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, memory difficulties,
general grouchiness :-/. When I thought I was past this wall, I would
hit it again about a week or so later. The problem was that I would get
migraines so severe that I could not function at all for several days.
I finally gave in to bread, and the migraines disappeared. The thing is
that during this couple of weeks I experienced amazing weightloss that
came back once I caved in to breads again. Have any of you experienced
this? How do you break past that point of the body putting up such a
fierce fight? I would welcome any and all thoughts and suggestions that
are shared through similar experiences!

Journey
330/320/155

There are sources for buying low-carb foods. The brand I use is
"Eat-Rite" frozen food line. They have a very good line of low-carb,
high protein foods in single servings. I use to have a store
specializing in low-carb foods in my area (San Diego) but they went
out of business. But I found I can order Eat-Rite online, and order
3mth worth. You can Google Eat-Rite and see where you can order
online IF you don't have a low-carb store in your area.

Also, I have "Julian Bakery" in the area which has low-carb,
multi-grain, breads (2 to 3 carbs/slice). They use *unprocessed*
flour to get the low carbs. So you may want to look in your area for
a similar bakery.

There are also low-carb tortillas in markets.


Then there are sites like.....

Dixie Diners' Club
http://www.dixiediner.com/

CarbSmart.com
http://www.carbsmart.com/

......which sell low-carb foods.


The bottom line, there are sources for low-carb foods if you're not a
cook.




--
==== Tecknomage ====
Be mindful that happiness isn't based on
possessions, power, or prestige, but on
relationships with people we love and respect.
Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE SINGS!

New to Low Carb
 

On Feb 10, 6:00*pm, JourneyToBetterHealth
m wrote:
I am new to the low carb lifestyle. *I have now attempted this approach
a few times, and have some major body responses that make it very hard
for me to break through the first week or two.
I have hypothyroidism, and was up to the maximum dose of synthroid
before I began to gain major side effects from the medications. *The
doctor agreed to lower the doseage, but he wanted me to drastically
change my diet as a tradeoff to the med. *In essence, the only foods I
would be allowed to eat would be meat, vegetables (including starchy veg
other than potatoes), eggs, and nuts/seeds. *I discovered it was very
similar to the Paleo Diet. *However, I was not able to eat sweet
potatoes or fruit. *The problem was that I would hit a massive wall
about 3-4 days in (major heat flashes that lasted a long time,
headaches, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, memory difficulties,
general grouchiness :-/. *When I thought I was past this wall, I would
hit it again about a week or so later. *The problem was that I would get
migraines so severe that I could not function at all for several days.
I finally gave in to bread, and the migraines disappeared. *The thing is
that during this couple of weeks I experienced amazing weightloss that
came back once I caved in to breads again. *Have any of you experienced
this? *How do you break past that point of the body putting up such a
fierce fight? *I would welcome any and all thoughts and suggestions that
are shared through similar experiences!

Journey
330/320/155

--
JourneyToBetterHealth

I've never had any issues like that, but then I don't have
thyroid problems either. One thing missing here is how
many carbs were you eating per day during this period?
How many calories?
Given the food choices, it sounds like it was fairly low
carb. Rather than resorting to bread, did you try just upping
the carbs from other, better sources? You might
just need to get to a somewhat higher carb level,
without going off it all together.

JourneyToBetterHealth[/i][/color]

I've never had any issues like that, but then I don't have
thyroid problems either. One thing missing here is how
many carbs were you eating per day during this period?
How many calories?
Given the food choices, it sounds like it was fairly low
carb. Rather than resorting to bread, did you try just upping
the carbs from other, better sources? You might
just need to get to a somewhat higher carb level,
without going off it all together.[/quote]

I'm not sure if the problem is related to the thyroid problems as much as it may be the drastic change in how my system gets its energy. I understand that carbs are a quick source of energy, and the body has to be re-trained to use fat and protein for energy. I think my main issue is getting past that initial shock to my system. I have read things about "carb withdrawal" that I am basing this thought on. However, I am so limited on what I can eat on this diet that it is kind of hard to figure out how to fight these effects without going off of it. You made a good point about upping carb levels with choices within the diet, Trader. I may try increasing some higher carb vegetables this time around (like corn, peas, carrots, etc). I'm not supposed to have any sort of potato (not even sweet potatoes). However, he (the doctor) said that anything else that comes out of the ground is fine. I'm not supposed to have bread in any form. However, I discovered there are things I can make using almond flour, coconut flour, and arrowroot flour. I have also discovered coconut milk in place of the dairy when attempting to make a treat. Thank you for your thoughts! I will let you know how it goes this time.

New to Low Carb
 

On Feb 11, 6:57*pm, JourneyToBetterHealth
m wrote:
JourneyToBetterHealth

I've never had any issues like that, but then I don't have
thyroid problems either. *One thing missing here is how
many carbs were you eating per day during this period?
How many calories?
Given the food choices, it sounds like it was fairly low
carb. *Rather than resorting to bread, did you try just upping
the carbs from other, better sources? *You might
just need to get to a somewhat higher carb level,
without going off it all together.

I'm not sure if the problem is related to the thyroid problems as much as
it may be the drastic change in how my system gets its energy. *I
understand that carbs are a quick source of energy, and the body has to be
re-trained to use fat and protein for energy. *I think my main issue is
getting past that initial shock to my system. *I have read things about
"carb withdrawal" that I am basing this thought on. *However, I am so
limited on what I can eat on this diet that it is kind of hard to figure
out how to fight these effects without going off of it. *You made a good
point about upping carb levels with choices within the diet, Trader. * I
may try increasing some higher carb vegetables this time around (like
corn, peas, carrots, etc). *I'm not supposed to have any sort of potato
(not even sweet potatoes). *However, he (the doctor) said that anything
else that comes out of the ground is fine. * I'm not supposed to have
bread in any form. *However, I discovered there are things I can make
using almond flour, coconut flour, and arrowroot flour. *I have also
discovered coconut milk in place of the dairy when attempting to make a
treat. Thank you for your thoughts! *I will let you know how it goes this
time.

--
JourneyToBetterHealth[/i][/color]

Why exactly does your doctor have you on this particular diet?
You say you had to do it so he could lower your thyroid medication?
I've never heard of hypothyroidism being treated by diet. And if
you were simultaneously reducing the medication, are you sure
the effects were due to the diet, not the reduced medication.

When you were having the problems related to diet,
about how many calories a day were you eating? Or
alternatively, what were you eating/drinking on a typical day? If
you're
not getting enough food, that can certainly make you
miserable.