Metabolic problems - about to start W30

[guvaika]

Hei,

I'm planning to start Whole 30 on September 1st. I've read nearly all the "instruction" part of the book and all the "steps" on the website. One thing that I'm worried about is that snacks are not recomended. I've been scouring the forums for a situation similar to mine. I've read lots of cases of hypoglycemic problems actually being helped by the W30. But rather than feeling encouraged... I'm mored scared.

See, I have metabolic problems (one of the reasons I'm choosing to do the W30), and my BMR is elevated (this has been measured). Eating less than a minimum of 5-6 times a day spells disaster for me - I get hypoglycemic symptoms, but it's not low blood sugar. That's what scars me... everyone else I've read about - the advice is targeting stablizing blood sugar. But that's not what's wrong with me.

I guess I need to just try this and see if it actually helps... but I'm getting really scared. Is it all right to eat snacks between meals? At least in the beginning?

Thanks so much for any support!

[ShannonM816]

The three meals a day is a recommendation -- no one has to follow it, and you absolutely don't have to follow it if doing so would actually be detrimental to your health.

 

I would still try to eat enough at three meals not to need snacks (try to base your meals on the meal template), but be prepared with some mini-meals to have if you do need something. If you do need to eat between meals, it's best to have a combination of protein, fat, and vegetables, or at least two of the three. So it would be better not to have just fruit or just nuts. Try keeping hard boiled eggs or canned fish or leftover proteins on hand, along with cut up vegetables like carrots, celery, jicama, bell pepper, or whatever you like raw that's easy to keep on hand, and then for fats, olives, avocado (Wholly Guacamole makes some compliant guacamole -- read your labels, they make some that aren't compliant too -- and they come in individual packages so they'd be easy to keep with you), mayo, or coconut flakes. Nuts are an okay fat source, but don't depend on them too much as they don't have the best omega-3 to omega-6 ratios, they can cause digestive issues for some people, and they're often a food without brakes (meaning you can't stop once you start eating them, so it's easy to overeat). 

 

As for your meals themselves, be sure you eat at least the minimum outlined on the meal template, and you can eat more if you need to. Don't skimp on the fats -- have at least the minimum amount of fat outlined in the template, in addition to whatever you cook with. And most people feel best with at least one serving of starchy vegetables a day (sweet potato, potato, winter squashes, root vegetables, jicama, plantain, pumpkin), and some people need more, especially people who are very active, who are prone to depression or anxiety, or women who are pregnant, nursing, or in the week leading up to their period. Don't be afraid to try more if you think the carbs may help in your situation. 

[annc3333]

Can you describe what you mean when you said "I get hypoglycemic symptoms, but it's not low blood sugar."?  Has a medical provider given you any explanation for this?

 

I often have all the symptoms of low blood sugar, especially when I cut back on carbs even moderately (dizzy, light headed, weak, shaky, headaches) but my blood sugar stays between about 78 and 85.  Sometimes it doesn't go up much even after I've eaten a big meal.  It is confusing to me that I have all the symptoms but no measured low blood sugar.  Is there something else that is going on?  

 

Thanks!