(Newswire.net — May 28, 2020) — You have just started your keto diet and, so far, things are going great. Weight loss and a healthier lifestyle seem to be just around the corner, but suddenly you start to feel fatigued and irritated. You’re hungry all the time and you can’t seem to focus. If this sounds like you, then you might have the keto flu.
The keto flu can be discouraging, especially if you started the keto diet to feel healthier. Many first-time keto dieters quit because of the keto flu, but do not give up! There is a way to beat the keto flu and we’re here to walk you through it.
About the Keto Flu
Before you can defeat the keto flu, you should first be able to identify it. Usually, the keto flu develops sometime between 2-7 days after starting the diet. These are some of the most common symptoms:
- Headache
- Difficulty focusing
- Nausea
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Muscle soreness or cramps
It is important to note that, despite the name, you will not develop a fever as you would with the normal flu. The symptoms of the keto flu just leave you feeling run down. If you’re feeling very sick, you should contact your doctor.
According to Harvard Medical School’s Health Blog, the causes of the keto flu are unknown and not everyone experiences these feelings of fatigue. However, the extreme decrease of carb intake is likely responsible for your lethargy because this carb reduction also lowers the amount of electrolytes in your body.
Electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium, chloride, and magnesium, are important for your body to function. The muscle soreness you may be feeling, for example, could be caused by an imbalance of sodium or potassium, two electrolytes that help your muscles to contract. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your electrolyte levels remain balanced even when on the keto diet.
Beating the Keto Flu
Keto flu symptoms tend to fade as your body grows accustomed to the diet, but it can still be frustrating to feel so fatigued. If you want to push through, there are many ways that you can overcome this roadblock to start feeling better in no time. Here are a few ways to combat the keto flu:
- Stay hydrated: Make sure that you drink plenty of water throughout the day. Not only will this help you feel better, but staying hydrated has a litany of other health benefits as well!
- Eat more often: Although the keto diet is a “diet,” that doesn’t mean you need to starve yourself. Try eating more often throughout the day instead of during three mealtimes. Colorful and leafy vegetables are especially beneficial.
- Ease into the diet: Remember that the keto diet is a huge switch from your usual eating patterns, so your body needs time to adjust. It might be easier if you take baby steps into the diet instead of giant leaps.
- Consider using electrolyte supplements: As mentioned above, your decrease in carb intake can cause your electrolytes to become imbalanced. Supplementing your diet with electrolytes can help you beat the keto flu and ensure that you start your new healthy lifestyle right. If you do decide to use supplements, make sure that they fit keto requirements and do not contain any harmful additives.
Now that you can identify the keto flu and know how to beat it, you should have no problem conquering the diet and becoming the healthiest you that you can be. Above all, remember to be patient with your body! It’s likely that you will start to feel better in a week’s time or less as your body becomes used to your new diet.