The ketogenic diet is a popular way of eating that focuses on high fat and low carbohydrate intake. While this type of diet can be beneficial for weight loss and overall health, it can also cause some unpleasant side effects such as feeling sick after eating carbs. In this article, we will explore why this happens and what you can do to avoid feeling ill after consuming carbohydrates on the keto diet. We will also discuss some alternatives to traditional carbs that are still keto-friendly.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning that we may earn a small commission if you click through using our link and make a purchase. Please be assured that this will not cost you any extra money. Also, please be assured that we either use the products we recommend personally, or have been recommended by trusted friends who currently use them.
Many people think that keto is simply a diet, and like many diets, a cheat day is totally fine.
This is unfortunately not correct, and it is a misconception that can leave us feeling ill after indulging in sugary carb filled snacks, but why?
Feeling Nauseous After Eating Carbs
Keto is a way of eating, and it is not a diet. This is the mindset that you need to incorporate if you are ever going to see any success with it. It is therefore no surprise that eating carbs will make you feel sick if you are in keto and fat adapted.
The truth is that a lot of carbs contain simple sugars that your body cannot digest properly once you are fat adapted.
The sugars that you consume in sugary snacks are not digested as quickly as the ones that are found in fruits, which means that you can end up with an upset stomach especially if you are on the keto diet and you decide to have a cheat meal.
A keto diet is a high-fat diet, which means that you are consuming a high level of fat and a low amount of carbohydrates.
This means that when you eat carbs, your body has a difficult time digesting them, and the energy they provide to your body doesn’t last long, leaving you feeling tired, sick, and flat.
This can also cause you to feel dizzy, or even nauseous.
Committing to Keto and Canceling Carbs
It can be very difficult to find a way to adapt to keto while still being able to enjoy food like other people. The best way to get around this is to eat lots of fatty and keto friendly foods that don’t have too much carbohydrate in them.
It is best to only eat foods that are made of high quality proteins and fats.
There are so many foods that don’t fit the bill in this regard. You can eat eggs, chicken, and bacon, all of which contain a lot of protein and moderate fats.
These types of foods are the best for your body to begin adapting to keto. When you start getting used to eating these foods and feeling well, you can start adding in more fats and less protein.
Can You Eat Sweet Things on Keto?
The good news is that you really don’t have to worry about carbs and sugar if you want to eat something sweet on keto.
There are many alternatives to sugar such as stevia. This is a natural sugar substitute that has been used in foods and beverages for decades.
Stevia is a natural plant extract and it tastes great. It does have a very mild sweetness to it, but you won’t taste it as much as sugar.
Xylitol is a natural sugar alternative that comes from the xylitol bush. It is a lot sweeter than sugar, and it doesn’t spike your blood sugar.
If you do eat a sweet treat, you can choose a lot of different options on keto, you just need to do some research and find out what works best for you.
You might choose to eat some dark chocolate with a small amount of coconut oil on it, or anything else that has a low carb and high fat content for you to enjoy.
Final Thoughts: Why Do I Feel Sick After Eating Carbs On Keto
There are low carb and carb free alternatives that you can eat with the keto way of eating. When you are on a ketogenic diet, you should stay away from carbs if you want to avoid feeling ill, tired and lethargic.
Let us also not forget that keto can be a good elimination diet, so if you are experiencing digestive issues related to bread or any other starch and carb source, then re-introducing such foods will cause severe discomfort and illness.
If you aren’t watching your carb intake, you may end up having too many carbohydrates and it could slow down the rate of fat burning.
When you are on the ketogenic diet, you should eat more protein and less carbohydrate. This will help to build muscle and lose weight.
There are low carb and carb free alternatives that you can eat with the keto way of eating. We hope that this has been inspiring and helpful, and that your weight loss and wellness journey continues with keto as a valuable tool to help you get there.