How long to know if I feel good on low carb?

[InspectorCucumber]

I'm thinking about trying low carb. I a lot of fatigue and brain fog (chronic medical condition) and I am outrageously addicted to sugar. I can't stop myself from binging.

I was thinking of doing low carb rather than keto (50-100g) because I exercise most days. And for practicality.

I could lose a few kgs but the main aim is to feel better, lose the afternoon slump and get control of the sugar binges.

How long do I need to trial it for before I know if it works for me?

My experience is that I felt rubbish for about a week, and noticeably better after about two weeks.

10 days for me. So yes like pp, first week is hard then slowly improves until 2-3 weeks i would say.

You have to take it seriously though, dipping in and out will mean starting at the beginning each time and you will feel awful.

Most plans have 20g per day as a starting point so you can get used to it and ensure you are properly in ketosis and feeling good before you experiment with number of carbs.

OK, 2 weeks I can cope with! Do you think I have to start really low catb then? I generally weight train or run for an hour a day so I was hoping I could get away with some more carbs because of being active.

You don't need the carbs because of being active. Cold turkey makes it easier imo.

There's a topic for Low carb bootcamp on here I'll post a link to the last round preparation thread. Gives a lot of good links and advise on getting started

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/lowcarbb_bootcamp/4824352-summer-23-boot-camp-the-preparation-thread

Read The Full Diet by Dr Saira Hameed. Game changer, I've lost 4.25 pounds since Monday!

It will take you about 2 weeks to get your body to transition from burning carbs for fuel, to burning fat. In the first week you might suffer from what's called carb or keto flu - headachey, tired - but after that you will feel much better and more energised.

Once you are fat-adapted, you really won't need carbs to fuel any exercise you're doing. But if you don't go low enough carbs, it will take you much longer to get there - so definitely go cold turkey!

(That doesn't mean cut all carbs out though - you need carbs in the form of vegetables and salads)

OK thank you! It sounds like I just need to commit fully for a couple of weeks.

I've just re-read your OP, @InspectorCucumber - and see that you mention a chronic medical condition. It might be worth mentioning your change of diet to your GP, as low carbing can mean you may need to reduce dosages of certain medicines. e.g. a low carb diet will usually reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol, so if any medication is being prescribed for those, then you will need to monitor dosage.

I always feel vile for three days, less vile for the rest of the week and then keep improving until about the three week mark. Then I just don't think about it.