Question for you all, My son is suffering

[Mickey527]

My son has been doing Atkins since May 18, 2003. He lost over 80 lbs, went from a size 44 waist to size 36. He went to a picnic this weekend and ate "normal" food. Hot dogs in the bun, a cheesburger in the bun, potato salad, macaroni salad. No dessert though, he was strong.
TOday he can't even get out of bed. He has a headache, he said he feels like he has the flu although he has no flu symptoms.
My question is this. I have been doing Atkins for 8 weeks. I eat about 16-20 gms of carbs per day with my salad at dinner, and 2 eggs every morning. I have been anticipating my trip to WDW on Sept 19th and plan on having a margarita in Mexico at least 3 of the 5 days I am there. We also have a big group of 35 people going to dinner at Chef Mickeys and I can't wait to have those parmesean potatoes I love so much. I will stuff myself on the shrimp, and the prime rib, I love meat, and am not crazy about veggies other than those potatoes.
Am I going to feel terrible for my trip? Should I try increasing my carbs for a few days before I go so my system is going to accept them better?
And don't tell me to do without, I am going with a big gang of pin traders and I want to enjoy myself too. Peggie

 

[LuvTigger]

My guess is that he suffered from a sort-of reverse withdrawal. You know how people who start Atkins or other low-carb programs initially can suffer from headaches, etc? I think that because his body was so used to eating low-carb that he kind of overloaded his body too quickly.

I won't tell you to do without since you are determined to partake, but I do think that whatever you do partake in should be in moderation. I think slowly increasing the carbs the days prior to the trip is a good idea if you're determined to eat carbs, but also, keep in mind that you may gain weight, and that you might set yourself back a bit.

Have a great trip!

 

[catherine]

I don't do Atkins, so I am no expert on that, but I can tell you that this type of thing (to varying degrees) can happen whenever you radically change the food you 're eating. If like you say, you want to eat food on your trip that you don't normally eat, it would be better for you to do it slowly over a few days before you go. If you don't you could end up feeling yucky.

 

[webray]

We just went off the atkins plan for a few days...and have done it several times along the way.

We have never had an negative reactions...except guilt for going off the plan.

 

[nativetxn]

Some people experience "hangovers" from eating refined carbohydrates after giving them up for a significant amount of time.

I don't think increasing your carb intake will handle this kind of hangover. You would probably have to eat refined carbohydrates to see what happens, before your trip. Get the hangover over with, if you're going to have one.

I haven't eaten refined carbs since 1/9/03, don't plan to ever eat them again. I still enjoy myself