Can someone please help with Briffa fail!

[Theyoniwayisnorthwards]

Started the John Briffa advocated diet from 'escape the diet trap', recommended by a friend who lost a huge amount of weight over 8 months and feels great on it. I got on well, enjoyed the food, not hungry etc but then this morning I woke up so weak and shaky I had to lie down while DP brought me orange juice! He had to bring toddler to nursery as I felt too shaky to drive and just went to bed with the baby for the morning. What could be going wrong??

[Theyoniwayisnorthwards]

I am breastfeeding a 6 month old who has just began weaning, could this matter?

[BlackAffronted]

Carb flu? Drinking the juice was probably not the best thing to do :(

[Theyoniwayisnorthwards]

Yep, I knew it as I did it but felt so weak I had to do something fast. Then I lay down! What's carb flu? Ought I to stop? Don't want to risk my milk supply.

[WillieWaggledagger]

I agree with blackaffronted, you've reduced your carb intake and (depending on how carb-heavy your diet was beforehand) this can make you feel rotten for a few days. It's worth persevering with it because once you get through it your body has adapted to burning fat for fuel rather than carbs, and you should feel fantastic, with less bloating, clearer skin, more energy etc. unfortunately the juice will have delayed this a bit, but honestly, if you can get through it it is SO worth it. Best to take some paracetamol, make sure you're eating enough, and go easy on the exercise until you're feeling a bit better

I don't know anything about breastfeeding or weaning but I wouldn't have thought that had anything to do with it.

[Theyoniwayisnorthwards]

The only reason I mention breastfeeding and weaning is that at 6 months with very little solids I think producing most of baby's calorie in my milk must take a fair bit of energy. I was worried I might need more carbs because if this than I might otherwise? I have low carbed before (atkins, dukan) without this crash but both are a less rounded approach to nutrition and the science behind Briffa's book seems sensible. My friend suggested I am not consuming enough veg and I think this might be true. I am back on the wagon but I'm going to modify it and eat some starchy veg like sweet potato once a day.

[foreverondiet]

I think go back to the diet, but while you are still feeding increase your carbs by eating more fruit and veg. Need to eat mountains of veg - I mainly follow briffa/primal eating - eat huge salad lunch including peppers and tomatoes and mountains of veg with meat for dinner - by mountains could eat whole broccoli, and half tin chopped tomatoes, onion, half courgette and mushrooms. Yes to sweet potato - also some fruit.

[cathyandclaire]

I've been low carbing for nine months with no problem but I've been stricter recently and have noticed I've been getting dizzy when I stand up/exercise/if it's hot....due to my blood pressure dropping I think (postural hypotension) I've read up about it and it's not uncommon in LCers. It suggested drinking plenty but also making sure you replace the salts...add salt to food but also think about a magnesium supplement and some potassium rich foods (salmon, spinach, mushroom, yoghurt, avocado)..good luck!

[Theyoniwayisnorthwards]

Thanks for the advice, I've had lots of veg and salad this weekend and do feel better. I'm committing to lots more water too. Still finding exercise hard and that's a big concern as I have just discovered running for pleasure/fitness and it's important to me to keep building that up.