Consistent Nauseau and Total Appetite Loss

[poisinivy]

I've been on the Atkins plan for 10 days now and the nauseau is not abating like I thought it would. In addition I am also suffering from serious appetite loss. I eat 3 meals/day because I'm supposed to, but more often than not, the thought of food really makes me sick and my portions are getting smaller and smaller. Yesterday afternoon through last night it was really bad. I had a salad with chicken and blue cheese dressing around 2pm. Shortly thereafter I became extremely fatigued. Went shopping and drank a cup of Starbucks latte with heavy cream and sweet-n-low. The nauseau followed very shortly after and continued through the night. At dinner (8pm), I pretty much forced myself to eat 1 1/2 cup broccili, 2 chicken wingettes and 1 bite of steak. I woke up this morning with vomit breath and immediately needed to defecate. I just defecated again, and this time it was diahrreah (sp). Exhaustion is also high, and headaches are common. I have been doing a very strick atkins, sticking to the plan to a T. All real foods, no lc snacks or substitutions. Avg of 12 grams carbs/day.

Am I doing something wrong, or is something wrong with me? My fitday including journal and food logs are included in my signature below.

I would really appreciate any advice someone can give me.

Thanks, Cecelia

[kebaldwin]

During the first two weeks -- your body is going through major withdraws. Just as if you had been a very heavy drinker / smoker / drug user -- and then quit cold turkey.

I remember times on the low carb diet that I had to force myself to eat. On the flip side, cheating causes a ravenous appetite.

You are only day 10 give it another week and see if things do not improve.

BTW, try to stay above 1,000 / 1,200 / 1,500 calories per day or else your body could think you are starving and things get worse.

Withdraws are hell. I actually have worse hangovers from eating carbohydrates than I do from drinking nine beers. Hang in there -- it is well worth it.

[Nancy LC]

That's pretty normal in the beginning. Its temporary, but it definitely helps the fast weight loss in the beginning.

You should aim to get 20 carbs though. That'll help with the loss of appetite. Also, eating a little lower fat at first might help make the nausea less. I know I get queasy with too much fat.

[skeeweeaka]

I've been feeling the same way myself. I am hoping that things get better soon...

[Duparc]

Ginger root or stem is excellent at controlling nauseous conditions.

Your diet seems to lack in saturated fat. Try a fried steak that has plenty of fat on it and one that is fried in beef-dripping (cannot recall what this is called in the US) or even coconut oil if this is preferred. Do not be afraid of taking plenty of saturated fat with the steak and see how you feel afterwards. Do not take any carbohydrates with the meal. The result should be (hopefully) that you will feel satisfied, won't suffer from heartburn or indigestion, and won't feel nauseous. You might find that your appetite will return; if it does not, you may have other problems.

Do not take or use any polyunsaturated fat with this meal.

[Yakumo]

Weird, nothing like that ever happened to me, except for great fatigue at first, especially upon waking. I'm not so sure this is something you should take lightly! Might be a message from your body. Are you not used to eating meat and fat?