8 days in, feeling very feeble

[Keetje]

Hello STAC members,

My name is Keetje and this is my second time around too.

I am presently in 14 days induction and the eating plan has completely knocked out my appetite. I am doing my best to eat and cook interesting things to tempt my appetite, but the calorie counts are woefully low - today was 875.

I am feeling very tired and things like climbing stairs are leaving me completely bushed. I checked my book and the good doctor suggested a couple of ounces of nuts or seeds (pg. 140).

Do members of the STAC have any suggestions?

Keetje

[momtomany1]

Honestly, I do recommend the 'treatment' on page 140 for folks for whom the process just goes too fast and they just can't function on so few carbs at first, but you don't quite fit what the Dr. is treating on that page. Yes, your symptoms fit. But you feel like you do because your menus don't fit induction sample menus, you are eating too little and you acknowledge this.

For one, you need some serious fats in your regime. (Going by that very low calorie count.) Do you drink any herbal teas or decaf coffee? A tbsp of coconut oil in your tea or coffee would likely perk you right up. Saute' some mushrooms in some real butter, there is nothing easier to cook that that. Split your boiled egg in half and dollop mayo on both sides and sprinke with seasoned salt.. no easier 'deviled egg' ever existed.

We realize that eating when your appetite has been suppressed is a chore at first, but it is something that just has to be overcome, really. You have to start treating food as fuel.. and boy do you need some fuel.

If you eat a few seeds or nuts, you will likely not derail your program as far as ketosis goes. You do bypass one of the helpful things of Atkins though, if you do. Atkins functions as an 'elimination diet' and the slow adding back of foods helps you learn how those food groups affect you. You short circuit it if you don't go by the 'rungs.' So it is ultimately up to you... but what you really need to do is eat more legal foods for your phase.

I highly recommend quartered radishes saute'd in bacon fat with a little onion added at the end!

[momtomany1]

OH just remembered, pumpkin is a legal food that helps many. If you like it, you can search a few threads here for recipes, but even something as simple as some plain canned pumkin mixed with melted butter and a little bit of spices and sweetener warmed in the microwave.. comes out a little like pudding and a nice comfort food that would get your fats 'up' and your carb and calorie count too.

[Keetje]

Dear Mom-to-many!

Thank you for the advice, tomorrow morning I shall make a start with some serious buttered mushrooms in and omelette and try to get hold of some coconut oil in my local health food shop, which is fortunately right opposite my office.

Much appreciated, I am really grateful.

Keetje

[chinadoll]

Keetje, nibble on six small meals rather than three larger ones if you can. fry bacon for brekkie and do your eggs in the grease. make some creamy broccoli (or mushroom)soup and toss in some cheese too. chicken wings are great because the skin really drives the calories up. They make a great snack to boost your intake.

[Keetje]

Hello Jill and MomtoMany,

Well, i took both of your advice, I had chicken legs for lunch and finished up with a cup of green tea with the coconut oil in it (interesting). Calories are way up on yesterday and I am keeping my jar of coconut oil in the fridge at my office in case I need a quick calorie hit during the day (which is when I usually need it).

Thank you both for your advice, the patient is feeling tons better and definitely a lot less feeble than yesterday.

Keetje

[momtomany1]

Glad to hear it! One thing we remind new folks, is that it is important to spread the carbs, such as they are! through the day. Sometimes folks don't hardly eat any of their carbs until dinner time... big ole' salad perhaps, when they would have felt better if they had had a few carbs with each meal. So mushrooms or peppers added to an omelette are ideal, or a few tomato slices with breakfast for example.

much success to you!