Feeling Lightheaded today

Hi All,

I started counting calories last week and have had no problem keeping within the 1800/day calorie guide that has been set for me.  Sure I have to cut back on some unhealthy foods but sofar, it's been pretty good.

I don't know what's going on today but I feel very lightheaded.  We ate a late lunch at 3pm and I had an apple for a snack about an hour ago.  I am just cooking dinner now.  Including dinner, I'll be at 1800 calories for today.

Could it be that I'm missing something? or a bit of withdrawl or am I doing something unhealthy?  I ate like I usually eat today expect I really cut back on butter/oils... and ate no bread. I did have a small slice of salmon for lunch so I assume that's got a bit of oil/fat in it.  I even had 2 small boiled potatoes too... so I know I have had enough carbs too.

With it being saturday, I guess I've been pretty busy today... mostly driving and shopping etc... maybe I'm just burning more than I have taken in.

It's almost like my body wants sugar or something.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Christine

You could be hypoglycemic (have low blood sugar). Try to balance your diet so that it is high in fiber, fruits, vegetables and complete, lean proteins. A diet high in fiber helps prevent low blood sugar.

Here's a page I found for a hypoglycemia diet:

http://www.gicare.com/pated/edtot19.htm

thanks! that gives me something to think about.  I ate really healthy all day- all week for that matter... do u think I could still have low blood sugar even if I'm eating the way I should?

I might need to bump up my fibre... I didn't have any grains today so it's a bit low.

Thanks again!

Christine

It sounds like you are probably just adjusting to the new diet. When you change your caloric intake and the type of foods you eat it takes your body a few days to adjust and it is normal to feel different during that time. You also could be experiencing lightheadedness for a variety of other reasons, you might be slightly dehydrated or there could be a change in the weather, or you may be deficient in a certain vitamin, etc. You may also be hypoglycemic but if you are eating every 2-3 hours that is probably not the case. A lot of people self-diagnose themselves with hypoglycemia and that is not actually the problem. If it continues and doesn't go away or gets worse i would go see your doctor. 

I have found that when I eat about 300 kcal below my burn rate (weight loss mode) my blood pressure gets lower (i.e. from mid-range normal to low-normal for my age), and that I feel light-headed whenever I stand up from a sitting position.  My physician verified that this was due to low blood pressure by hooking me up to the sphygmomanometer and having me stand up from a sitting position in his office.  He advised me to eat more salt (I eat quite a lot already), but didn't seem overly concerned about it (as long as I don't start hitting the floor, I guess!). 

If I were you, I would go see your physician and describe your symptoms to him/her, just for the peace of mind.

thanks everyone!  i feel good this AM so I think it's just me getting use to a lower caloric intake.  also- i think i waited too long inbetween meals.

 if it does continue i will see my dr.  i'm due for a check-up anyways.

btw- i should mention that i'm nursing my toddler. he's been sick and nursing more than usual so it could just be that i needed more food to keep producing milk.

I have experienced a similar situation except that my problem manifests itself in a headache.  I solved the problem by having a midmorning and midafternoon snack of about 100 calories each.  I took the three hour diet and modified it for me.  The headaches dissappeared almost immediately. 

Barbara