Feeling drained and lacking energy

[michael1222]

Hi, I began my carnivore diet three months ago but felt tired and lacking energy. I'm curious if this could be related to cutting out carbs. Has anyone else experienced this and found solutions? Thank you!

[Scott F.]

At three months I will assume you are still adjusting. 

My suggestion would be to check the fat content of your meals and check for an electrolyte issue. I didn't read the directions on carnivore and missed on both getting started.

I tried the pre-made electrolyte drink mixes but they tasted like crap to me. I went to you tube and found a homemade solution. I used it to drink for a stretch but now I use that solution to salt my food. 

Once I got some salt back in my system and upped the fat content of each meal my energy levels increased to much better than before. 

Best of luck. Hopefully you figure out the fall off. 

Scott

[Geezy]

Absolutely it’s caused by cutting out the carbs. When we eat a standard diet consisting of mostly carbs our body will prioritize the glucose from those carbs as energy and it does it fast. It also creates a rollercoaster effect that brings us high and then crashing low like a drug addict demanding that we consume more. One of the reasons we rarely feel full and satisfied eating carbs. 
When we stop eating carbs then our body is forced to start using fat for energy. I believe that as we transition into burning fat or ketones for fuel there is a lag as the glucose runs out and the fat starts ramping up the ketone production. How fast this happens is up to each individual physiology.
Hang in there and it should get better.

In the beginning of carnivore we tend to eat less because we feel satiated for a long time and also because we were brainwashed to believe we need to eat less to lose weight. 
So make sure you are eating enough food, especially fat since that is now your only source of fuel. 
 

[Meathead]

@Scott F. and @Geezy said it all.

I stumbled upon someone I used to watch has a plethora of knowledge.  I'm going to try what he recommends for maybe a few weeks. 

If you're looking for saturated fat but can't afford meats all the time this may help you. 

[Geezy]

Give it a shot and let us know how it works out.  It certainly can’t hurt.