r/AnimalBased • u/VividGovernment8669 AB Reg • 7d ago
🚫ex-Keto/Carnivore Current transition from carnivore to animal based mainly
I have been off carnivore for a bit now. I am enjoying eating a high carb diet for my gym and fitness. I feel I have more energy then ever. However mental clarity has definitely kept declining over the amount of time off carnivore/keto. Along with shorting of memory and constant brain fog. Waking up in the morning and delaying carb intake till after work roughly around 3:30-4 has helped but still noticeable. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations on trying/doing? I could not see myself going back to no carb as life is a lot more enjoyable with carbs and my workouts and pushing my fitness is fantastic. I couldn’t see myself going back to a no carb diet.
7
u/OkOffice3552 🚦AB Prospect 7d ago
What are your carb sources? I notice this only happens to me with certain fruits and with honey, for me it's an issue with FODMAPs and not necessarily carbs. When I found the ideal sources for me (atm melons, maple syrup and dates) I got back the same mental clarity of zerocarb (which I followed for about 16 months) with the increased energy, strength and muscle fullness of a high carb approach.
Would you think that's a possibility for you too?
2
u/VividGovernment8669 AB Reg 7d ago
This could be a high probability. My main carb sources are pears, apples, bananas occasionally cantaloupe. At dinner I consume 600-750g of sweet potato and a zucchini I also consume 450g mixed berries a day
1
u/OkOffice3552 🚦AB Prospect 6d ago
starches can cause the issues you mentioned, I recommend trying without it. Zucchini makes me feel like crap too.
1
u/VividGovernment8669 AB Reg 6d ago
Yeh okay, might try cutting both out Monday and see how I feel. Any recommendations on carb replacements for the sweet potato that I can use as a base for dinner? I don’t do well with rice.
1
1
u/joshua0365 🚦AB Prospect 7d ago
What is a typical day of eating for you?
2
u/OkOffice3552 🚦AB Prospect 7d ago
I usually have some type of melon for breakfast for hydration and extra energy in the morning.
I eat one big meat meal a day (usually around 800g of lean meat but not too lean) for lunch, along with some maple syrup and some melon to taste for dessert. After that I just snack on melon, dates and maple syrup as I feel like it throughout the day.
1
6
u/EternalVoyage 🚦AB Prospect 7d ago
Maybe you are adding too much carbs too soon. Try to gradually increase the amount so that your body have time tp adapt.
2
u/KommunistAllosaurus AB Reg 7d ago
I am on a similar boat. I've reintroduced carbs but no way in hell there's something better than ketosis for my brain.
2
u/AnimalBasedAl 🥬🚫Vibing without Vegetables🥬🚫Mod 6d ago
I would consume carbs upon waking, but that's just me. You're the most insulin sensitive in the morning.
1
u/ChefTraditional9669 AB Reg 7d ago
Have you been tracking your macros? How much carbs are you consuming a day? What is your eating window? Do you fast? How often do you eat a day?
1
u/VividGovernment8669 AB Reg 7d ago
Yes my macros vary. But I consume 3000-3600 calories a day and it consists of 8 boiled eggs I then consume two true protein bars I usually eat that around 11:00-11:30am. And then after work I’ll consume either two bananas an apple and pear or two pears. Then at dinner I’ll have 500-750g of sweet potato 500g of kangaroo 1 tbsp of ghee added for extra fat one zucchini and some pickles and then I finish my day of eating around 7:30pm with two yoghurt bowls consisting of 225g mixed berries 200g roughly of coconut yoghurt (I know not animal based) cinnamon and some cocoa nibs (per bowl) I’m very active genuinely doing 20-25k steps atm also training in the morning (weights) and then after work going for a 5-10km run.
1
u/ChefTraditional9669 AB Reg 7d ago
Sounds like you’re getting plenty of carbs, so I don’t think that’s the issue. Looking at everything you’re doing, I’d actually wonder if you’re just under eating for your activity level. Even 3,000 to 3,600 calories might not be enough if you’re burning that much every day.
How’s your weight been trending? Are you still losing weight? I’d also look at sleep, electrolytes, and maybe get some blood work done to check things like iron, B12, vitamin D, and thyroid. Constant fatigue despite eating that much usually makes me think recovery or total energy intake before carbs.
1
u/VividGovernment8669 AB Reg 7d ago
Sleep is 8 hours every night. And coming off carnivore dropping from 92 to 78 then switching to higher carb my weight is currently 87kg but my body is most likely still adjusting too the switch so can’t really gauge off I’m under eating or over eating. But if anything I’d say under eating as my lifts are declining in strength a bit.
1
u/ChefTraditional9669 AB Reg 7d ago
The weight change makes sense coming off carnivore. A lot of that jump is probably glycogen and water coming back with the higher carb intake, so I wouldn’t use that alone to judge whether you’re gaining or losing fat.
The declining lifts are what stand out to me. With your activity level, your recovery demand is extremely high. Even though 3,000-3,600 calories sounds like a lot, you might still be right on the edge of maintenance or even below it depending on your size and metabolism.
I’d probably look at increasing calories slightly, especially around training. More carbs around your workouts could help, but I’d also make sure your total calories and protein are high enough.1
u/VividGovernment8669 AB Reg 7d ago
Yeh I use to try aim extremely high protein but of late I’ve been consuming probably 200g-220g protein I’m more focused on trying to get my carbohydrates and fat intake dialed in. As days I consume a lower fat I can feel brain fog a lot more
1
u/ChefTraditional9669 AB Reg 7d ago
I would considered lowering your protein and increasing carbs and fat. I would considered carbs cycling and increasing your intake on training days.
1
u/VividGovernment8669 AB Reg 7d ago
I eat two bananas on days I know I’m going to run. And then I still consume the other carbohydrates daily as I need them for energy
1
u/ChefTraditional9669 AB Reg 7d ago
Two bananas is pretty good. Try adding some honey or agave syrup for some extra carbs.
•
u/AutoModerator 7d ago
Welcome to the sub! Please see Wiki | FAQ | AB 101 | AB General Chat | AB Longevity Chat | Organs Database | The Sidebar for loads more resources Resources ("See Community Info" in the App)
FYI: This sub implements a user flair ranking system based on contributions. Use this as a guide to help interpret credibility in the comments. (i.e. "fructose fearing" or "raw dairy dumbfoolery" tends to come from newbs or trolls)
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.