Jo Robinson Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 I started my first whole30, Dec. 26, with a restart on Jan 6 after going out to eat on the 5th. I have started having Charley horses in my calf in the middle of the night. I drink nearly a gallon of water a day so I don't think I'm dehydrated. What in my diet am I missing? I haven't had charley horses since I was pregnant 25 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Tom Denham Posted January 20, 2013 Moderators Share Posted January 20, 2013 There is a good article about charlie horses and muscle cramps at http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/muscle-spasms-cramps-charley-horse Several things can cause charlie horses, including diet. The main thing is to get enough potassium, magnesium, and water. Foods very high in potassium include winter squash, spinach, and beet greens. For other potassium rich foods see http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/food/potassium-foods.htm Foods very high in magnesium include artichokes, almonds, cashews, spinach, and tomato paste. For other magnesium rich foods see http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/food/magnesium-foods.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Woodard Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Hey Jo - where you goin with at gun in yo hand? Sorry, I saw your name and I just couldn't help myself. I think one side effect of this W30 for me has been really good moods. Anyway, I have been having the same problems with Charley horses too so I thought that was a really good question. I'm surprised more people haven't been having this problem. Do you exercise? I do daily and also drink at least 8 8oz glasses of water a day. I find that I'm getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom so I try to stop drinking water by 9 pm but that doesn't seem to help much. I wonder if even though I'm drinking a lot of water, I'm also urinating a lot and therefore dehydrated from just peeing all the time - thus causing the Charley horses. Did Tom's advise help any? I read the suggested article in webmd but didn't get much out of it. Are you still having the cramps or did they subside?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quindora Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I started getting leg cramps at night after I gave up grains. Taking potassium supplement helps but does not entirely stop them. I have tried stepping up my hydration, am eating lots of potassium-rich foods. Take magnesium at bedtime. Don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quindora Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I just looked at the chart of high magnesium foods. Wow! I'll bet eliminating grains is the problem. I had no idea there was so much Mg in whole wheat bread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evelyn Benchimol Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I got those really bad when pregnant, started on a liquid magnesium supplement and they disappeared. You can easily make your own magnesium oil and spray it on at night before bed (water and epsom salts if you can't get mag chloride flakes). there is also a product called Natural Calm you can put in water and I know a few ppl that swear by it not only for cramps but to improve restless sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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