Unusual diet problem. Protein only-carb issues

[karnautrahl]

Hi folks,

This is probably quite cheeky-registering on here in an attempt to get some advice only. However, lack of medical help at the doc's leads me to find other expert advice where I can.

Basically for years I've had a problem of severely heavy head/eyes closing during most days and tiredness. It's screwed up every fulltime job I had and left me feeling that work is not something I can do.

However I found out very recently (from my Mom would you believe) that she had the same thing and the Atkins diet straightened it out. There is diabetes in the family but we are both negative for it.

I was 20stone at the beginning of september this year and I'm 27 6'3". Was able to do a 2 hour karate class-but I do NOT look athletic-rather fat actually stomach wise .

I tried her advice-start the day on eggs-or meat. Eat only protein and non starch/carb foods during the day (lettuce, some veg etc) and only have carbs in the evening perhaps.
It's worked incredibly well-the eggs thing having more effect than stimulants that I've tried in the past.
However several people have already said they don't think it makes sense-that carbs should give me energy not make me tired.
My theory-layman though it is-is that it's an insulin sensitivity issue and having protein only keeps this all level.
Tried this for 3 weeks now, I have had only 2 days with some heavy headedness-one was a day where I had a little bread with dinner.
I've lost nearly 3 stone in the process. That's too fast I know.

Sorry for the long post, but if anyone knows anything that may help here I'd be very very grateful. I'm not trying to lose or gain weight here. Just be able to physically and mentally function enough permanently to do a normal job instead of losing jobs though this nonsense.

Thanks for your time if you've read this .

 

[LAM]

My theory-layman though it is-is that it's an insulin sensitivity issue and having protein only keeps this all level.

makes sense, body composition is a good sign of where your insulin sensitvity is.

 

[Gordo]

Simple carbs lead to that sugar low not too long after....why we feel like taking a nap after a big pasta dinner.

I think though to get a better idea you should list your "before" and new recent diet (all meals... morning till night and portions if you could so instead of saying toast and eggs....say 2 whole eggs, 1 or 2 slices of toast 1 glass of milk....things like that).

The "Atkins" diet is not sustainable....it's not something you want to do long term.

THe tiredness could be other things:
Seasonal or environmental allergies.
Poor sleeping habits... do you get solid sleep or is it interrupted nightly?
Diet...perhaps
Eye strain...do you where glasses? Had you perscription checked lately?
Physical exhaustion....exercise a lot...heavy lifting job....?
Stress

Or a host of other things or possibly a combination of things.

suck 'eh?

 

[karnautrahl]

I spent a lot of time over the last few years trying to solve this one.

I tried cutting out wheat at one point, lactose at another. Various healthy diets etc.

One thing that was common most of the time was that I usually had either cereal or something with bread for breakfast.
Previously I'd use a pasta based meal often for dinner, that was fairly common throughout the week. When I was trying to be healthy then plenty of veg added etc.

I was training 3-4 times a week for 1-1.5 hrs at a time for the last year. Until about 6 weeks ago where a combination of holiday and other circumstances stopped my routine.

My sleep is reasonable general. Can't pin it down to seasonal unfortunatly. Eyesight is ok generally unless I been on the pc too much.
Last few years been not working very much at (for above reasons!) so little stress. Though last few weeks that went up for a completely different reason.
Before that with normal 9-5 jobs (I work in IT-was a network engineer, then did help desk and other IT stuff), I had the problem interferring with work. I went through 4 months of quite heavy weight training-it fitted into work routine and I did build up to it. Couldn't keep it up in the end-girlfriend/house issues. Even when doing the training-mixed with aerobic/punchbag work I couldnt kill of this silly heavy head problem.

So far my compromise is going to be carbs and such in the evenings only. Protein in the day. That allows me to concentrate, work and function like everyone else .

 

[Gaz_9]

i always seem to get tired quickly in the afternoons(after my lunch- coincidence maybe) and by about 5.30 when i get home i usually need to go to sleep for 20-30mins. i feel quite refreshed after that but im not sure if its the food im eating or my sleeping patterns or what. some days i could sleep for half the day!

 

[olusco]

The problems is assiociated with Complex carbs that trigger the brain not to function properly. Insulin sensitivity that triger the brain to go dull or slow. Eat clean food. No pasta, Smashed potatoes, white bread and rice, No heavy meal at a time. Except during pre and post workout if working out. Subsitute with good oil fish oil canola,flax seed oil, more green food.Gluten(Wheat ) might be the problem too,brown rice, oat meal,red potatoes, yams. Eat small portion six times daily. No more atkins diet. Do not forget a gallon of water each day to flush the toxin in the body. Good luck

 

[jeffleesville]

Advice

Take a look at Rob Faigin's "Total Hormone Enhancement" style of eating. It's a sustainable and greatly superior way of eating compared to Atkins. It greatly reduces carb intake (from the typical American diet) but allows multiple days to carb-up. It also focuses on consuming health fats. Currently I eat 30 or less grams of carbs per day 5 days during the week, but on 2 days per week (Wed & Sat) I eat 200 grams of carbs. The healthier the carbs I eat, the healthier I am and vice versa. Sometimes I do splurge with Ben & Jerry's, recognizing it's not the healthiest food -- but allowable. Somehow I force myself to eat New York Fudge Chunk -- .

By the way, carbs are not a requirement for energy. Healthy fats are a much better source for energy.

 

[danzik17]

Go get yourself checked for celiac disease - it might be the gluten from the carb filled foods you're eating, not the carbs themselves. Instead of bread/pasta, try eating mostly rice and see if your local store has some gluten free pasta or something.

 

[patricio223]

try eating oatmeal as your carb source.

 

[karnautrahl]

Thanks for help guys

Thanks for your help guys. Been tied up with new job and total obsession with new car (93 Trans Am-rare in uk). So abandoned everything else for a time. Diet still not sorted yet. Protein only mostly helps-but not 100%.