6 Reasons Why You're Tired on a Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet is an amazing way to lose weight and improve your health. However, it can sometimes lead to tiredness, which has become a common complaint among those following the keto diet. More than just feeling exhausted or sleepy from time to time, we're talking about full-blown exhaustion that leaves you unable to function for hours on end. Why am I so tired on keto? Keep reading as we discuss six reasons why this might be happening and what you can do about it.
1. Low Carbohydrate Intake
The brain can only use glucose for fuel, so it might be experiencing a shortage. It is possible to get by on ketones and fat for energy instead of glucose, but the body needs time to adjust. When you first start eating more fat than usual or when your carbohydrate intake goes way down (as in low-carb diets), you might experience what's called the "low-carb flu."
This is a set of symptoms, including brain fog, low energy, and tiredness. This is because the body needs time to adjust to having enough glucose available for the brain at all times. It takes about three weeks before this adaptation period ends.
2. You're Not Getting Enough Sleep
When you don't get enough sleep, it's not just your day that suffers. The quality of your nightly rest deteriorates as well. Low-quality sleep can increase stress and anxiety levels while decreasing cognitive function in the brain.
What does this mean for you? It means when you're tired on keto, one major factor to consider is how much sleep you're getting during the night. Try to hit at least seven hours a night by going to bed earlier or sleeping in later if need be.
3. You're Doing Too Much Exercise
Too much exercise can be just as bad for you as not enough. When your body is tired, it needs time to recover and build up the exhausted energy stores during strenuous activity.
By continuing to do too much exercise on keto when your body is already tired, you're only making this problem worse by increasing cortisol levels in your bloodstream (which suppresses appetite) and reducing glucose production from carbohydrates stored in muscles.
What does this mean for you? It means if you're feeling tired on keto, one of the culprits may be how many hours a week or month you spend working out. Try cutting back until things start looking better again, and remember to refuel with healthy food after exercising so that fatigue doesn't set in right away.
4. Your Body Is Detoxing From Sugar And Processed Foods (This Can Cause Headaches, Fatigue, Mood Swings)
During Keto, your body may be detoxing from sugar and processed foods. If you're feeling tired or exhausted on keto, this is one of the possible culprits.
What does this mean for you? Your body will likely get a second wind soon if it hasn't already, so don't worry too much about it. Instead, try eating more healthy fats during those times to give yourself an energy boost, and remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
5. Lack Of Electrolytes In Your Diet - This Causes Dehydration And Exhaustion
Once electrolytes are low in the body, you will start feeling fatigued.
What does this mean for you? If your electrolytes are low, drink more fluids and add an electrolyte supplement to your diet if needed (we recommend HRDWRK Blue Razz). You may also want to eat foods high in potassium like avocados or bananas to help combat fatigue as well. For a quick pick-me-up, try some bone broth on keto.
6. Your Adrenal Glands Are Fatigued Due To Stress Levels That Are Too High For Them To Handle.
Stress is a major cause of fatigue, and our adrenal glands can only handle so much before they're exhausted.
Try reducing the amount of stress you put on your body every day by adding relaxing activities such as meditation or yoga into your schedule to help combat this problem.
Get The Most Out Of Keto
You might be feeling tired on your ketogenic diet for a variety of reasons. One possible explanation could be that you are eating too many carbs, not getting enough sleep or exercise, detoxing from sugar and processed foods, or suffering electrolyte deficiencies due to dehydration or lack of vitamins - all these can lead to feelings of exhaustion.
However, the most common culprits behind fatigue in people following a high-fat, low-carb lifestyle are stress levels (especially if they're doing too much) and adrenal fatigue caused by over-activity without adequate recovery time between activities. We have just what you need. This hydrating powder will provide the necessary nutrients required when going into ketosis so that the body doesn't start craving things like salt, which can contribute to tiredness. Get hydration now.