How to Recognize and Treat the Keto Flu

Did you recently start the keto diet and now you’re feeling tired, foggy, nauseous, and just not quite like yourself. What’s going on here?! You thought starting keto would make you feel GREAT! Hang in there, you may just be experiencing symptoms of the keto flu! We will share how to recognize and treat the keto flu, so you can be on your way to feeling like yourself again and enjoying the benefits of the keto diet.

What is the Keto Flu?

Keto flu is a group of symptoms that may show up 2-7 days after starting the keto diet. These symptoms can include headache, foggy brain, irritability, nausea, difficulty sleeping and more.
The truth is we don’t really know why people experience these symptoms after a diet change. Some people don’t even experience them at all!

What to look out for.

The main symptoms of keto flu are as follows:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Sleeplessness
• Difficulty tolerating exercise
• Constipation

How to treat Keto Flu at home:

Don’t worry, you will start to feel better in about 1 week, but there are a few different ways that you can treat your symptoms:

Reduce carbs slowly:
A drastic change in your diet may be too much. Try gradually reducing carbs over time.

Hydrate:
Water intake is always important. But, during the keto adaptation phase, we lose more water. Make sure you have a large water bottle with you at all times!

Increase salt and mineral intake:
Add foods into your diet that are high in salts and trace minerals such as: bone broth, pickles, and olives. These added minerals will help to diminish those symptoms and replace the salt that you are losing while you adapt.

Get a good night’s sleep:
Aim for 7-9 hours a night!

Get some exercise:
If you’re feeling up to it, try taking a walk or slow jog. But, don’t feel like you need to overdo it.

Remember, the keto flu will pass and you will be back to yourself in no time! However, always consult with a medical professional if your symptoms don’t go away or if you feel that you should get checked out. It’s always best to be safe!