Does cutting calories give anybody else insomnia and the jitters?

I have so much trouble falling asleep and staying asleep since I started CC.  I'm eating the amount of calories they tell me to eat.  I have these jittery, speedy feelings.

 One time I fasted for 14 days (on the Master Cleanse - I was trying to cure myself of an ailment) and for the first 4 or 5 days I felt like this, unable to sleep, jittery.  Why does calorie restriction cause this, and does it cause this for other people?  and why would reasonable calorie restriction cause this?  I do not over exercise - I under exercise, actually, but not to extremes.

Not sure I get the jitters, but I know that if I don't snack in the evening, I can't sleep. Soooooo..... knowing this about myself, I make sure I save enough calories so that I can have a snack and not go over.

Two Finn Multigrain crackers, with Hummus is only 250 calories. I make sure I keep enough room for that much. And if I go over, by 50 or so calories, I do an extra 15 minutes in weights before bed.

yes this happens to me when i'm hungry and then I can't sleep and have the jitters. I make sure I save enough calories so that I can have an evening snack before bed otherwise I can't sleep.

How many calories are you eating per day overall, and what's your deficit? Also, how many carbs are you eating?

I have trouble sleeping when hungry, and get particularly jittery and sleepless when not eating enough carbs. Don't know if these may apply to you.

I checked out my average burn meter readings for a week, then took my daily average, multiplied it by 7 (days in a week) subtracted 3500 (calories needed to lose 1 lb) then divided by 7 .. This result is my daily goal.

Hey.  I'm generally eating 1700, though I have eaten as low as 1400 and as high as 2100 since joining.  My burn meter says i burn 2150 calories a day.  I'm 5'7 and a half, 174 LBS.  I've been on CC for ten or eleven days now.  I used to eat like crazy and it's a scientific wonder I'm not obese.  I've lost 4 LBS in these 10 days.

Milfred, using my formula, you could get by on about 1300-1400 calories a day, and if you are burning the 2150 a day, you should continue to lose about  1.5 lbs a week.  A nice healthy loss.  What is your actual goal?  4 lbs in 10 days seems pretty good. 

Don't overlook good nutrition.  Check out Molly's Rants for some good tips on eating right.  I am amazed at how great I feel eating 1300 calories a day.

I would think with your height if you have a medium body build, about 140-150 would be pretty good.  It is individual however, Some people look like they are 150 when they are only 120, while others might look like 120 when they are really 150...

I must be somewhat in the latter because friends keep asking me why in the world I am dieting.  Well, at 66 it is not to win a beauty contest.  It is for the way I feel.  When I was under 130, I could walk 3 or 4 miles a day and felt great.  Now, I feel like I can't drag myself around the block, but just losing 5 lbs, I feel much much better.

It is 20 to four in the morning and I am up on calorie count. Does that answer your question lol!?

I have to save some calories so I can have a big bowl of cereal at around 8:00 so I can sleep.  I eat lots of protein and fruits and veggies during the day.  It is the only thing that works for me.  I eat Raisin Nut Bran with some extra walnuts and 2% milk. Sometimes it is just a late supper. I am very active so I get 2,300 cals a day which makes this possible, I burn at least 600 calories a day working out 5 to 6 times a week.  I am motivated to work out more so I can eat more! 

 

Are you taking any diet supplements or anything that might be sneaking in caffeine?

The "Jitters" is most likely  a drop in blood sugar. I know you are eating enough and getting enough calories but everybody's body is different and you may burn up that sugar faster. This is why people get jittery when not eating for a long time or even in the mornings. I would try some whole grain bread or peanut butter when this happens because it helps keep your blood sugar up for a longer amount of time...maybe try adding more of these foods into your diet if you already haven't. That would also most likely contribute to your trouble sleeping. They also sell these glucose tablets in the diabetic section at drug stores. They are made to raise your blood sugar quickly and solve that problem. I am borderline hypoglycemic(opposite of diabetes) and that is when i notice i get jitters...when my blood sugar drops

Original Post by delsinmist:

The "Jitters" is most likely  a drop in blood sugar. I know you are eating enough and getting enough calories but everybody's body is different and you may burn up that sugar faster. This is why people get jittery when not eating for a long time or even in the mornings. I would try some whole grain bread or peanut butter when this happens because it helps keep your blood sugar up for a longer amount of time...maybe try adding more of these foods into your diet if you already haven't. That would also most likely contribute to your trouble sleeping. They also sell these glucose tablets in the diabetic section at drug stores. They are made to raise your blood sugar quickly and solve that problem. I am borderline hypoglycemic(opposite of diabetes) and that is when i notice i get jitters...when my blood sugar drops

Jesus, that's smart.  I don't believe this.  I didn't think of low blood sugar.  How caloric are the glucose tablets, and do they cause a spike?  Should I just eat some molasses?  Well, the thing is, I've been up all night and desperate to sleep, so I've drunk a glass of whole milk or something, and it takes a lot more than that to get me to sleep.  I'd go back to bed, wait an hour, after drinking the milk (which is 150 cals and has tons of sugar) and still be up.  If I had a banana, I'd still have insomnia.  But if I ate, like, 500 calories in carbs, only then would I be able to go to sleep.  Not tasty carbs; just plain bread or something.  (I wouldn't be able to handle tasty carbs without bingeing).  Could this mean I'm hypoglycemic?  Could this be a consequence of the period in my life where I ate 2 pints of ice cream and 3 big bakery-sweets per day?  That lasted around 8 months.

Original Post by fransen:

Not sure I get the jitters, but I know that if I don't snack in the evening, I can't sleep. Soooooo..... knowing this about myself, I make sure I save enough calories so that I can have a snack and not go over.

Two Finn Multigrain crackers, with Hummus is only 250 calories. I make sure I keep enough room for that much. And if I go over, by 50 or so calories, I do an extra 15 minutes in weights before bed.

My goal is to weigh 140 LBS.  I'm 5'7 and a half.  I used to have this problem - not being able to sleep when eating under 2,200 calories in the day - but I'd get used to it after a few days, and be able to sleep on low calories. 

I get around 200 g carbs a day.

I think I'm accidentally replying to the wrong post; I meant to reply to the one that asks me what my goal is.  Also, the one that asks how many carbs I'm eating.  Thanks.

Original Post by milfred:

Original Post by delsinmist:

The "Jitters" is most likely a drop in blood sugar. I know you are eating enough and getting enough calories but everybody's body is different and you may burn up that sugar faster. This is why people get jittery when not eating for a long time or even in the mornings. I would try some whole grain bread or peanut butter when this happens because it helps keep your blood sugar up for a longer amount of time...maybe try adding more of these foods into your diet if you already haven't. That would also most likely contribute to your trouble sleeping. They also sell these glucose tablets in the diabetic section at drug stores. They are made to raise your blood sugar quickly and solve that problem. I am borderline hypoglycemic(opposite of diabetes) and that is when i notice i get jitters...when my blood sugar drops

Jesus, that's smart. I don't believe this. I didn't think of low blood sugar. How caloric are the glucose tablets, and do they cause a spike? Should I just eat some molasses? Well, the thing is, I've been up all night and desperate to sleep, so I've drunk a glass of whole milk or something, and it takes a lot more than that to get me to sleep. I'd go back to bed, wait an hour, after drinking the milk (which is 150 cals and has tons of sugar) and still be up. If I had a banana, I'd still have insomnia. But if I ate, like, 500 calories in carbs, only then would I be able to go to sleep. Not tasty carbs; just plain bread or something. (I wouldn't be able to handle tasty carbs without bingeing). Could this mean I'm hypoglycemic? Could this be a consequence of the period in my life where I ate 2 pints of ice cream and 3 big bakery-sweets per day? That lasted around 8 months.

 It is possible you are hypoglycemic but i doubt from the times you ate all that sugar. You could always get tested but everyone has hypoglycemic attacks and there isnt a "cure" except to eat smaller meals every few hours instead of a couple big ones. That just helps maintain your blood sugar. the glucose tablets I believe only have 5-10 calories and they are made for this sort of thing so the jump in sugar is not going to cause a huge crash as if you just ate plain sugar. Although the plain tbs of sugar would fix the issue I would suggest the tablets which are made for this sort of thing and also if you are not already like I said....eating 5-6 snacks a day high in fiber and protein helps more than you would think. It took me a week or 2 to truly notice the huge change but you may be surprised 

Yeah I totally understand what you mean. It's really annoying... i can only really have a good nights sleep when i have been drank or eaten a lot in a day. I think to sleep well i have to eat 2200 + calories, so wen i've only eaten 1200 like today, I can't sleep at all. I'm not sure if its psychological though! 

what i do is have breakfast at 3 in the morning or something then make sure i have lunch at a normal time (around 12 or 1). Just spreading my meals out more. Otherwise i will have like some tinned tuna/apple/chamomile tea as i find protein fills me up more.

Wen this used to happen i used to binge on loads of carbs which would definately make me sleep but also make me put on weight!!

so annoying :(

hey - i know how you feel. i'm also 5'7 - used to weigh 195, then was at 175 for years and years. and now, i'm past the 160 mark! anyways, just wanted to give you some motivation. i am cycling my calories so i eat more on the weekends (when we tend to splurge anyway) and less on the weekdays. it seems to be going well, although the last few weeks have been wacky, so i'm trying to get back on track.

 sometimes, i've been an insomniac for a few days, but i'm not sure why because my eating habits didn't really change. sometimes, exercise can help you, or quieting down before you go to bed (i.e. maybe reading a book instead of watching tv). if you get jittery, try to eat something to balance out your blood sugar (i.e. anything with high fiber).

 good luck with your weight loss!

I find myself unable to sleep--but it's not that it's a lack of food.  When I'm eating better I actually eat more to make up the calories.  I'm never hungry, and I find myself making myself eat to meet my calorie intake--and STILL unable to sleep.

I don't know the actual reasons behind it, but I'm guessing my body is just getting used to the new changes and things.  I've been doing this for about three weeks, and I'm finally starting to be able to sleep a bit easier.  I hope for the same for you, too!  :D

Comfort food. There's a reason they call it that. It'll just take a while for your body to get used to not having that. Many people (me included) stuff worry and feelings down with food. Those can keep me up until I deal with them. That may be part of the problem for you.