I ate Carbs by Joy Sypher

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I ate Carbs

After clean, strict keto for three years, I ate carbs.

The following is my story. How my body reacted and what I went through emotionally and physically. Buckle up, it's not a pretty sight some days.

It all started after a delayed flight home.

I had prepped for keto traveling. I knew the limitations I was facing for low-carb food at our destination. I brought shelf-stable keto snacks and meal options in my carry-on luggage. I was a veteran keto traveller. I wrote a blog about my previous experience with a 6-day, 3 separate 10+ hour road trips, 2 funerals and 1 broken down vehicle here. I've always found a way to stay keto, even when traveling. This time it threw me. I know what happened and when.

The delay cut into my eating window

Old fears of not having a source of food around when my eating window was open led to me eating much earlier than normal and, at the end of the day, eating much later than normal. I knew when it happened.

Food insecurity is a powerful trigger. Exhaustion is another one of my triggers. The trip home had both. Even knowing I still had a few keto snacks in my purse, I felt compelled to save them. While I still ate keto, once I emotionally gave in to one of my triggers, it was easy to repeat the cycle a few days later.

Exhaustion led to "just one bite"

Cleaning the kitchen after a long day, I snuck a bite of the carby side dish made for some of the more metabolically sound members of my family.
The next morning I cheated a little and added cream to my coffee at 7 am.
At lunchtime, I ate a handful of raisins.
By dinner, I purposely made too much to have leftovers to snack on.
Once everyone was asleep, I was hiding in the closet, eating candy.

If you have been following a keto diet for some time and then suddenly consume carbs, your body may experience a few changes. And boy, did mine.

I knew that eating carbs after a period of eating keto can result in an increase in blood sugar levels due to increased insulin secretion. This sudden rise in insulin can lead to a crash in blood sugar levels, causing fatigue, headaches, and even nausea.

Additionally, eating carbs after keto may cause water retention and temporary weight gain due to the glycogen stores in the body being replenished. This is because eating carbs leads to an increase in glycogen stores, which hold onto water.

By the 3rd day, I was in a full-blown carb addiction cycle.

Carb addiction

Carb addiction, also known as carbohydrate addiction, is a term used to describe the craving for high-carbohydrate foods that some people experience. This craving can be caused by a variety of factors, such as genetics, stress, and lifestyle habits.

Carbohydrates are a type of macronutrient found in many foods, including bread, pasta, rice, and sugary snacks. When we eat carbohydrates, our bodies break them down into glucose, which provides energy for our cells.

However, some people may experience a heightened response to carbohydrates that leads to cravings and overeating. This is thought to be related to the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in reward and pleasure.

In some cases, carb addiction may be related to underlying health conditions, such as insulin resistance or hormonal imbalances.

63 days later, I've gained 27 pounds. I eat from 7 am to 10 pm. I am always hungry. The only time I don't feel pain in my stomach is when I am actually eating.

There, I've said it out loud, and everyone knows.

The day I regained control

The local store had a sale on salmon. I bought several meals worth. Then I thought if I am going to invest this amount of money into my meal plan, then I needed to invest a little more time. I prepped a dozen hard-boiled eggs.

The next morning I had black coffee at 7 am.
Lunchtime I made a very large salad with 6 ounces of protein and plenty of fat.
Dinner I made an individual carby side dish each for the family, ensuring no leftovers and none for me.
After dinner, I drank hot tea and took a bath.

I'm back. I know how to do this. I'm sharing it with the world.

You'll be able to follow along as I share my weekly journey on
Twitter: @AppleCookieRose
Instagram : applecookierose
Or join our Facebook group: Reversing Insulin Resistance

Written by Joy Syper
Published: March 18th, 2023

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