Did you have unexpected benefits eating lower carbs?

[Ihopeyourcakeisshit]

I'm not low carbing per se but I have inadvertently been eating lower carbs due to a change in work circumstances.
Apart from weight loss, did anybody find anything else good happen that they weren't expecting?

Yes a massive improvement in my ibs symptoms

Skin improved, less acne.
Appetite disappeared after day 10 or so.
Less bloated

Less pms, better bowels (you did ask), better sleep

Oh me too with ibs although mine is gluten related so makes sense.

What are easy carbs to leave out?

More stable blood sugar levels. I had to practically cut out all carbs when I was diabetic during pregnancy.

When I've done keto ( longest I've stuck to it is a week), my energy levels have gone through the roof. Also, stomach a lot flatter. I'm counting calories atm and have lost about 9lb in about 8 weeks but my tummy is not shifting.
I should go back to keto / low carbing.

I wasn't overweight but have dropped quite a few pounds.
Can't say I've noticed any improvement in bowel function
My skin however seems better? My dc asked if I'd bought a new face cream as my skin was glowing? My eyes are less puffy I think.

Yes lots.

Energy levels much improved.

Skin is much better.

Bloating goes away.

I sleep better (some people find they sleep worse at the beginning but it does ease).

No period pain. At all.

More money as I have cut back drasticaly on picking up snacks.
Not finding sprouting potatoes in back of cupboard.
Dd eating better as less carby snacks around.
Kitchen less steamy and less washing up without potatoes/rice/pasta on the menu.(No more big pan, lid, colander)
More free time with the trimmed menu.(tray bakes and slow cooker)
Less fat eaten(no buttered toast/mash or mayo sandwiches etc)
BMI has dropped a bit.

Apart from the weight loss of 10kg 👏, I'm sleeping much better, skin looks better, I have more energy and discovered a whole new world of veggies

No, none at all.

Can I ask those of you who saw a lot of benefits, how many carbs/ how often were you having them originally, what was your starting point?

Now that I take no-carb lunches to work (salads of various kinds, and some fruit) I don't find myself struggling to avoid post-lunch dozing at my desk.

More energy.

Better digestive system, including gallbladder settling down in spite of eating more fat.

Sleep better.

Better focus and concentration.

Poop less smelly 😄

@Singinghollybob

Can I ask those of you who saw a lot of benefits, how many carbs/ how often were you having them originally, what was your starting point?

Have a look at @BIWI’s bootcamp in the low carbing section - there’s one running now. It’s a very easy, clear way of understanding the basics of what it entails.

Initially I started eating low carb at a very low threshold (not quite as low as keto, but very carefully controlled). These days I broadly follow Bootcamp principles as a matter of course, although not quite as strict, and it works very well for me. Must get back on it one of these days - having a bit of a holiday at the moment.

@DuesToTheDirt

Now that I take no-carb lunches to work (salads of various kinds, and some fruit) I don't find myself struggling to avoid post-lunch dozing at my desk.

Yes - when I worked out of home all my lunches were salad/veg/protein based and I never felt tired or hungry even if I had to stay on for a few hours.

When I very first started low carbing I was doing so for weight loss. But much to my surprise I found that my IBS completely cleared up.

Over the years I've been running Bootcamp on Mumsnet (almost 10 years ), people have reported all manner of benefits, beyond weight loss.

There are the big things:

lower blood pressure
lower blood sugar readings (especially important if you're diabetic or pre-diabetic)
better cholesterol profiles
less tooth decay

and a low carb diet is also linked with a lower cancer risk and less risk of Alzheimer's disease

For PCOS sufferers a low carb diet is often recommended, and we've had several babies conceived through following a low carb diet.

Other benefits are like those reported here - better skin, less thrush, more energy, no day-time slumps, generally better digestion.

No, just headaches and a complete inability to fall asleep.

BIWI I don't low carb in the Boot camp sense. I think you'd be horrified at the carbs I still eat. I have been a monster carb eater my entire life.
I have cut out my latte/Danish breakfast purely because I don't have the time any more. Lunch used to be sandwiches or bagel type of thing. I've cut out evening snacks as I'm going to bed earlier due to my job.I still eat potatoes/rice/pasta for dinner generally speaking but have had a bit of a clean up, more by accident than design though.
I don't know if my better skin and eye thing is a coincidence or a result of a cleaner diet and in my case cleaner diet tends to mean less crap not no crap.

My dh thinks my 'improved' appearance could simply be due to being happier doing what I'm doing?

IBS massively improved!

Lost puffiness around ankles.
Also find my eyesight is clearer.
I only really low carbed for a couple of days and I've had the benefits at "lower carb."

Just had a week back eating lots of sugar. I feel terrible, honestly. My mood is awful feel really depressed and annoyed, every little thing getting to me. When I was lower carb and almost no sugar I felt energised like my body and brain were just working better, less sluggish, better sleep. My skin has broken out, I'm bloated, I feel emotionally all over the place. I think it's to do with the sugar spikes

better mood (definitely no hangry moods)
IBS clearing
improvement to my PPMD
less ovulation pain
excema clearing
skin clearing
more energy