Towards the end of the first week of switching to a LCHF diet you may feel a bit ill for a few days. Its called ‘Keto Flu’ and it is just your body going though the change from burning carbs for energy, the easiest, most immediate source of fuel, to burning fat, (both the healthy fats that you are eating and the fat that we store around our organs). Read more in this article
‘Keto Flu’ can make you feel tired and a bit feverish or it can really hit you for a day or two of exhaustion, irritability, inability to concentrate and general flu-like symptoms. If this is how you feel, don’t worry. It will soon pass and there are things you can do to help yourself.
What to do:
- Drink more water. Drinking three litres of fluids overall per day will help clear your head and keep your body well hydrated.
- Make sure you are getting enough salt. Many of the symptoms of ‘Keto Flu’ are caused by the loss of sodium from the body so top up your salt intake by drinking a bone broth, chicken or beef stock or a vegetable bouillon. Simpler still, drink half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in water or just a put a pinch of sea salt on the tongue.
- Maintain your new LCHF diet and don’t stint on the high fat ingredients, they are there for a reason. The more healthy fats you eat the quicker the symptoms of ‘Keto Flu’ will pass.
- Don’t go hungry. If you are eating the high fat meals on the plan you shouldn’t be hungry between meals but if you are, stick to LCHF snacks.
- Go for your walks but don’t over do it. Getting out will clear your head but be kind to yourself and don’t push yourself further than you need to.
Please note: Switching to LCHF diet will not give you real Influenza. If you have a high temperature and are at all concerned that you might have Influenza you must consult your GP.