Insomnia whilst doing Fast800

[chatw0o0]

Hi all, I’m currently doing the 12 week Fast800 (two meals a day). I previously completed this, just over two years ago.

This time around I’m really struggling with my sleep… I just cannot get to sleep, or if I do, I then wake a couple of hours later, completely unable to get back to sleep. This has happened all but three nights of the last two weeks. The three nights I could sleep were because (I think) I’d deviated slightly off plan and had a more carbs during the day (big sandwich, banana bread, some chocolate etc).

I need to address some health issues which is why I am back on the plan, but if I’m not getting restorative sleep where my body can repair etc, it seems a little pointless.

Long story short: does anyone have any experience of low(ered) carb related insomnia; does it go away? Does the body get used to it? 😒

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Hey there,
I can not remember the source, but I think it was STEMtalk on the ketogenic diet, but this is a possible side effect of very low carb. The explanation given was that sleep is the time your body repairs itself, and if you swicth to low carb, there is simply less oxidative damage to repair. So, the body needs less sleep.
Not sure how helpful this info is to you! But I can really recommend the podcasts, https://www.ihmc.us/stemtalks/ , if you want to know more about the how and why keto works.

Thanks @Unabletomitigate! I had read a bit about carbs being part of the sleep process and had assumed my lowered intake was the problem, but really interesting to see there may be other reasons too. Will definitely take a look/listen.

I think insomnia can mean cortisol levels are increasing which did not work for me. I have done everything, 800, 36 hour fasts, you name it, at the moment I'm alternating between 1000 per day and 1400. Low carb but not no carb.

I used to be awake all night when I was fasting so I don't tend to do them now.

I'd need a sleeping tablet :-/

@ChanelNo19EDT totally agree it may not be ideal. I will give it a few weeks more and may have to adjust to something else, as I really cannot be doing with so much waking time in the night!!