Navigate to where you want to go:
You’ve started the keto diet and you are feeling a little bit low, tired and you lack concentration? Probably you have the so-called keto flu.
The keto flu is a multitude of symptoms related to the transaction of the body starting to burn fats, not sugar anymore, to produce energy.
Switching to a low carb diet lowers the insulin level in our body.
This brings to expel more sodium in the urine (that’s why in the first week of keto we will urinate like crazy).
The consequence of increased urination is a visible weight loss on the scale, but losing a lot of water and sodium brings along also many symptoms.
What are the symptoms of the Keto flu?
Tiredness
Headache
Lack of motivation
Dizziness
Difficulty to focus
Nausea
Muscle cramps
How long the symptom will last?
Most people experience the symptoms in the first week, especially in the first 3-5 days.
Rarely you will have the keto flu for 2 whole weeks.
Some people don’t experience any strong symptoms.
Remedies for the Keto flu
Below you will find my favourite remedies, according to my experience.
Drink plenty of water
Since our body expels more water during the first week is important to replenish it.
Try to drink at least 2,5 l of liquids, especially water. You think it’s difficult drink 2-3 liters per day? Thank check my tricks to drink more effortlessly.
Moderate the physical exercise
in the first week do not stress your body with powerful physical activity. Exercise is important for our functioning, but the transaction to a low-carb diet can worsen the symptoms.
If you have strong symptoms switch a workout for a walking or a yoga session.
Eat more carbs
If you are starting to feel low and weak take a step back and increase your carbs intake to 50 grams per day.
This should help the transition and help the body fight the new low carb regime.
When you feel ready, lower your carbs intake to 30-20 grams per day.
Supplements
Consider to start taking some supplements. The beginning of the keto journey is very delicate and brings us to lose many minerals and vitamins.
Himalayan Salt
Drink a glass of water with a half teaspoon of Himalayan sea salt.
Max 3 times per day. It will solve the bad feelings in half an hour.
My experience with the keto flu
My experience with the keto flu wasn’t that bad.
The first 3 days I have experienced a headache and I was often lightheaded, especially at work while doing sudden movements.
After a while I started to feel super-energized: my productivity increased, I could wake up earlier and I could finish a movie without falling asleep in the first 5 minutes.
Don’t be scared thinking of the symptoms of the Keto flu.
These symptoms will finish.
Yes, the first week could be difficult, but after that, you will start to collect the benefits of the keto lifestyle.
My name is Simona, a keto enthusiast, based in the Netherlands.
I live with my husband, my cat Newton, and a fridge full of cheese.
You find me on Instagram, Pinterest, and sometimes on Facebook.
I also write a lot of keto recipes on my Italian blog keto-with-simona.
Check also:
Keto products review
Keto favorite products
“This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will get a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. All the opinions are my own. Read the full disclosure here.“
