Should i add back in a little bit of unhealthy foods?

[healthiskey]

I started eating healthy in the last few days and drinking a lot more water and i feel worse. I know this happens because of withdrawals from sugar, etc but im wondering if i should take it more slowly by adding in some unhealthy foods so my body doesnt go from one extreme to the next and completely crash?

[Cooper27 Administrator]

You're probably better pushing through this phase, as you'll only be postponing the crash by having little bits. Some also find a small amount of junk, quickly becomes a lot of junk and they can struggle to dial it back again.

You can try having some swaps to help at this point, like fruit (limit to 2 portions max per day).

Make sure to consume some good electrolytes (sea salt or foods high in electrolytes), as that will help with the hangover feeling: healthline.com/health/fitne...

[Panz]

I agree with Cooper 27….junk food is addicting….cold Turkey is best!! 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂. All the very best…you can do this!!!

Panz 🙂🙏💕☘️

[healthiskey]

No i have not really cut back on carbs. My diet now is porridge with banana, honey, cinnamon and a scoop of protein powder for breakfast, salmon or chicken and brocoli or other vegetables and noodles for dinner and eggs and avacados for supper

[junemc in reply to healthiskey]

Although you say you haven't cut back on carbs, the diet you have described sounds quite low on carbs. In fact it sounds very healthy to me. Stick with it. You will quickly get over your current discomfort and will start to feel the benefits. You are doing great so stick with it!

[healthiskey]

I must add that i am not even cutting out alcohol just cutting out junk food and eating healthier foods and drinking more water. Soon i will start to incorporate exercise as well once my body adapts.

[Eryl]

I must agree, if you haven't cut back on carbs, you're not eating more healthilly. It's more important to cut out the bad than to addd in the good. Many nutritionists will say that a diet is not trully low carb unless it contains no more than 100 g of carbs and keto needs a reduction to around 20g.

[Hidden]

It takes longer than a few days to develop a new habit, give yourself some more time to adjust to this far better, sensible way of eating. Let go of the diet mindset and develop a healthy lifestyle mindset, one that can last a lifetime.

Sugar promotes more sugar cravings, which can make it very difficult to just stop eating altogether. It takes about three to four weeks for your brain and body to eliminate cravings for sweets, and begin craving healthier foods that satisfy more of your actual nutritional needs. It also takes at least two weeks for a new habit to form, so, giving yourself a month to eliminate sugar/unhealthy foods should be enough time for you to establish new dietary habits.

[amykp in reply to Hidden]

I read once that it takes thirty "tries" to change your taste buds. At the time, I was trying to learn to like red wine (over white) and my dad was trying to learn to like black coffee (no cream or sugar).

I don't actually know if that is globally true but, it really worked for both of us! I actually prefer red wine now (not that I drink much alcohol at all today) and my dad drank his coffee black until he died.

That's not to say the thirty "tries" were easy. In the beginning, I had to choke that red wine down! :o)

[mz_rachel]

This is exactly what I’m going through rn. You’re not alone my friend, and everyone’s comments is helping me deal with the new changes in my life!

[amykp]

Carbs are fine if you are genetically lucky enough not to have any insulin resistance--that is, if you are thin AND you have low blood sugar and a low A1c. For a lot of us, especially as we age, carbohydrates are NOT fine. Remember that all carbs are eventually converted to sugar in your body--and that includes even the whole grain oaty ones. Sugar can wreak havoc on a lot of body systems but also, sugar is what makes insulin go up, and insulin is what allows your body to store fat. Fructose (a component of table sugar and honey and agave syrup and high-fructose corn syrup and fruit) can damage your liver especially.

People who are NOT insulin resistant, their metabolic systems get rid of blood sugar quickly and efficiently--straight to muscles for energy. They don't feel especially hungry. They are naturally thin. Most children are like that.

Sadly, many adults are not. The ones that are simply can't understand the rest of us!

[Hidden in reply to amykp]

The Complex Carbs are the better choice for all of us, age aside. Some complex carbs are better choices than others. The healthiest complex carbs are those that have not been processed or refined.

[Ramivero2022]

Please, don't go back to unhealthy food. That's a natural reaction, because the body is readapting itself to the new diet. If you need sugar, eat lots of fruit, that will help a lot. Hope you be patient enough to achieve your goal.

[amykp]

For sure, better than the refined ones. But ultimately it’s all sugar, even if it’s absorbed more slowly, so if you are counting (if you’re diabetic for example) it (sadly) still counts.