Can someone tell me what to eat to stop myself feeling so tired?

[BalloonSlayer]

I am currently on week 3 of a alcohol-free month (thank you Claudia!).

Usually if I give up the booze I drop half a stone just like that. But I haven't this time, much to my disappointment.

When I am not on an alcohol-free month, on the days where I don't drink I have the most wonderful night's sleep and wake up feeling fantastic. However during this month - during which I confidently expected to feel fab all the time, I feel so tired that I sometimes think I will blink and not get my eyes open again.

I am sleeping fine.

Another poster on Claudia's thread said that when she gives up alcohol she gets a sugar craving. I am wondering whether that has been happening to me, and that I am eating sugar-heavy stuff and the tiredness I feel is the slump when the sugar rush is over.

I am going to try staying off sweet (including diet fizzy drinks) today and see if that makes any difference.

Anyone got any advice though or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Oh and I am perfectly healthy. I would like to exercise but with 3 DCs and a husband that gets home fairly late sometimes I am limited to which classes I can go to. Will look into it this week.

Not really sure that any food in particualr will help you, if you already have a good diet.

If you dranks a lot, you might be just adjusting to that now.

You could also be in a sugar withdrawal state.

It's important to get some exercise and instead of thinking about classes maybe you could walk instead such as if your DH gets home early enough for you to go out for say 45minutes?

Porridge oats and lots of slow releasing carbs to stop any blood sugar drops.

(Ps. you're not pregnant are you!? )

Thank you ladies.

purplepeony I did wonder whether it was my liver complaining that it doesn't have enough to do . I do feel it should have sorted itself by now though.

I am not sure whether I do have a good diet though. I like the idea of going out for 45 minutes when DH gets home. Not for the exercise, I just like the idea of buggering off for 45 mins and leaving him with the DCs. I think I will try that one tonight if my class is full.

Restrainedrabbit what are slow releasing carbs? I know about porridge oats but those are the only ones I do know about.

No I am not pregnant. It did cross my mind too but it's not possible

Slow releasing carbs are things like potatos, pasta, rice, oats etc. Exercise really helps to boost energy levels even if it is running around a park with the kids for an hour. Apparently exercise first thing in the morning is best - I find this helps to boost my energy levels when feeling sluggish.

Ahh right thanks. I am starting to see what I might have been doing wrong.

I am a bit of a stodge-freak and the last time I cut down on pasta/bread/potatoes I lost weight dramatically. I have been trying the same thing again . . . so I think I have been a bit low on those and compensating with sugary stuff.

I also do think that my metabolism is a bit sluggish and could do with a kick up the arse boost.

The only other thing I can think of.....are you drinking plenty of water? Even mild dehydration makes you feel really tired.

Some people find that wheat makes them tired and fat. Of course high sugar drinks and food is not good for cravings etc. try eating fruit on an empty stomach instead.

You might be low on iron - always makes me really sluggish and tired

Some tips from me...

• Have plenty of iron-rich and vitamin C-rich food in your diet. Low iron stores are a very common cause of fatigue. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. Avoid caffeine as this limits iron absorption
• Dodge sugar, artificial sweetners and simple starches in favour of wholegrains, pulses and slow-release carbohydrates. Sugary foods cause blood-sugar highs and lows which contribute to fatigue
• Take a daily multivitamin as a back-stop in case you are not getting enough nourishment from your food.
• Make sure you're getting enough calories. If you have been used to 300, 400 or 500 cals a day from alcohol and now you've cut it out then it has to be replaced or you'll feel the loss of energy
• Eat 'little and often' rather than very big meals or skipping meals. An even intake of energy is better than an irregular eating pattern.
• Drink plenty of plain fluids
• Take regular exercise, even if it's just a walk around the block
• Spend some time each day outside.

Gosh thank you everyone, I have just seen all the other posts.

I am going to try to take everyone's advice. FLF, I always used to take iron tablets, guess I should start again. Also will try to drink more water. DH always says I should but I don't like it very much [stroppy child emoticon]

I have exercise class tonight. And will try the 45 min brisk walk some other nights too.

I have had less sugar today and don't feel so tired. It's a funny feeling - it isn't exhaustion, it's sleepiness.

It is highly possible that you have a wheat intolerance which can make people feel lethargic.
Try swapping bread for oat cakes or rice cakses for 2 weeks and buying wheat free rice/corn pasta ( supermarkets stock it now.) if it is, you will a difference.

High protein , low carb lunch .
Salad and meat/cheese/egg/seafood.