Not eating enough Carbs= Hypoglycemic problems?

[Amydoll19]

I'm a relatively new member here...and new to the world of fitness & weight training.

I just started the crazy P90x program 2 weeks ago....which I've been enjoying, even though it's kicking my ass. I sweat like an animal every day for at least an hour after work doing this program.
Now, one of the first things I noticed in the first week of working out was...."Dammnmned! I'm hungrey ALL the time now!"
(I was used to eating very little prior to this program)

Anyway....I've been tracking my calories on DailyBurn.com to help me....
and it looks like each day I'm at least 400 calories UNDER what I should be eating a day!
On top of that....my Carb intake has been too low

I'm supposed to be getting around 1750 cal a day
130 of those cal from CARBS
now yesterday I tracked it....and it said I only at 48g of carbs for the whole day

I started having very dizzy, jittery, nervous sensations while at work the past couple of days....felt like a panic attack almost...heart beating fast...feeling "unbalanced".

I have had a Hypoglycemic attack years ago from severe dieting.....I actually passed out from it one day- but once I was given some orange juice...I came right out of it.

Well I came home yesterday and promptly started to "carb-up".....I ate 1/2 a can of chick peas....a 1/2 cup of Oatmeal....2 pieces of whole wheat soft tortilla bread......and last night also made a plate of pasta.
It goes without saying....I DID NOT workout yesterday

Now this morning I'm feeling a little better....but still not feeling 100%
I'm staying home from work today just to regroup

I look at all the threads in the Female Bodybuilding section here.....and I noticed there are more threads under the "Nutrition & Dieting" section than any other section on here (about 13,000 threads)......I think I understand why.
Proper Diet & nutrition are absolutely crucial when you embark on a new program.....I think I'm learning that the hard way- and my body's paying the price.

It's just hard for me....cause I'm not used to eating 6 small meals a day....
I feel like i'm over-eating (that's what my stomach says) I feel full all the time

I guess I should back off my workouts for a couple of days....
Has anyone had this kind of thing happen to them?

I'm also wondering if I should eat more carbs in my Pre-workout meal so I have more energy....and than protein after the workout...

I'm just trying to find my balance....and it's frustrating.

any suggestions anybody?

[KaraPhoto]

I'm supposed to be getting around 1750 cal a day
130 of those cal from CARBS

Can you double check that number. 130 cals from carbs is WAAAAAAY low. Way. If you're eating 1750 cals a day, getting a lot of protein, and a healthy amount of fat, you should be getting at least 700 - 1000 calories from carbs.

It's just hard for me....cause I'm not used to eating 6 small meals a day....
I feel like i'm over-eating (that's what my stomach says) I feel full all the time

You do NOT have to eat 6 small meals a day if it's hard on you. That's one of those dieting myths that has been thoroughly debunked. If it's easier and works better for your system, you can do 2 or 3 meals, and add in some snacks *if* you want. Just as long as you stay within your calories - it doesn't really matter when you eat.

[Rowyn]

I'm a relatively new member here...and new to the world of fitness & weight training.

I just started the crazy P90x program 2 weeks ago....which I've been enjoying, even though it's kicking my ass. I sweat like an animal every day for at least an hour after work doing this program.
Now, one of the first things I noticed in the first week of working out was...."Dammnmned! I'm hungrey ALL the time now!"
(I was used to eating very little prior to this program)

Anyway....I've been tracking my calories on DailyBurn.com to help me....
and it looks like each day I'm at least 400 calories UNDER what I should be eating a day!
On top of that....my Carb intake has been too low

I'm supposed to be getting around 1750 cal a day
130 of those cal from CARBS
now yesterday I tracked it....and it said I only at 48g of carbs for the whole day

I started having very dizzy, jittery, nervous sensations while at work the past couple of days....felt like a panic attack almost...heart beating fast...feeling "unbalanced".

I have had a Hypoglycemic attack years ago from severe dieting.....I actually passed out from it one day- but once I was given some orange juice...I came right out of it.

Well I came home yesterday and promptly started to "carb-up".....I ate 1/2 a can of chick peas....a 1/2 cup of Oatmeal....2 pieces of whole wheat soft tortilla bread......and last night also made a plate of pasta.
It goes without saying....I DID NOT workout yesterday

Now this morning I'm feeling a little better....but still not feeling 100%
I'm staying home from work today just to regroup

I look at all the threads in the Female Bodybuilding section here.....and I noticed there are more threads under the "Nutrition & Dieting" section than any other section on here (about 13,000 threads)......I think I understand why.
Proper Diet & nutrition are absolutely crucial when you embark on a new program.....I think I'm learning that the hard way- and my body's paying the price.

It's just hard for me....cause I'm not used to eating 6 small meals a day....
I feel like i'm over-eating (that's what my stomach says) I feel full all the time

I guess I should back off my workouts for a couple of days....
Has anyone had this kind of thing happen to them?

I'm also wondering if I should eat more carbs in my Pre-workout meal so I have more energy....and than protein after the workout...

I'm just trying to find my balance....and it's frustrating.

any suggestions anybody?

What nutrition program are you following, the macro breakdown?

As Kara said, you don't HAVE to eat 6 times per day. I eat three bigger meals myself, I am happier if I feel more full. Some people can train fasted, some people need to eat, depends on the person. I get shaky and feeling yucky if I try to train without eating a couple of hours before. I usually eat some sort of complex carb with protein (in the am's, its oatmeal with a scoop of protein powder or a protein smoothie). When you are on a deficit, its important to try to keep your insulin levels stable to minimize hunger and help with energy levels. Otherwise I never stick to my diet since I feel like crapola. Yes, you can certainly eat whatever you want as long as it is within your cals for the day when it comes to dropping scale weight, but choosing the types of carbs more wisely and combining with protein will help keep you from getting hungry or shaky feeling.

[sherdi]

I also suffer from bouts of hypoglycaemia. Without a breakdown of what you eat at every meal it's hard to see what you need to fix. However, not enough carbs and calories can lead to this issue.

Foods that help me. Fruit - yes fruit! It's great for blood sugar control and will help restore your glycogen. Things like bananas, apples, pears, berries etc. Dairy - nonfat milk PWO really helps. I also make sure I eat some form of dairy everyday for calcium, but I do find that cottage cheese with added good fat (ie natty pb) really good for keeping me stable. Fats - things like nuts, peanut butter, avocado, olive oil etc - keep my sugar levels in check. Starchy carbs! They are good for you: things that have very high fibre are especially good for people who suffer with hypoglycaemia. Things like legumes,beans,oats,oatbran, wheatbran, etc are awesome!!! I include these things everyday in my diet.

[kitebean]

are you sure it doesn't say 130 grams of carbs per day? That sounds more like it to me....

I have struggled on and off with Hypo attacks - but for me they normally came in the middle of the night after an insane session. That said, I think I was definetly over training (sometimes >15 hours per week)

I also think that our age and hormones do the wacky on us as well. I would suggest concentrating your carbs around your workouts, and making sure you are eating or having a shake within 30 minutes of training.

Perhaps posting your diet here might help so you can get more specific suggestions.

Are you taking any supplements?

[kimm4]

are you sure it doesn't say 130 grams of carbs per day? That sounds more like it to me....

I have struggled on and off with Hypo attacks - but for me they normally came in the middle of the night after an insane session. That said, I think I was definetly over training (sometimes >15 hours per week)

I also think that our age and hormones do the wacky on us as well. I would suggest concentrating your carbs around your workouts, and making sure you are eating or having a shake within 30 minutes of training.

Perhaps posting your diet here might help so you can get more specific suggestions.

Are you taking any supplements?

This.^^

It's not 130 calories from carbs. You should be eating at least 130 grams of carbs. (which would be 520 calories from carbs.) If you feel you need more you can pull out more calories from your protein...go by how your body feels and adjust if necessary.

You mixing up the numbers between calories and grams.

[KaraPhoto]

It's not 130 calories from carbs. You should be eating at least 130 grams of carbs. (which would be 520 calories from carbs.) If you feel you need more you can pull out more calories from your protein...go by how your body feels and adjust if necessary.

You mixing up the numbers between calories and grams.

Yes, Amy PM'd me and clarified that. That makes much more sense!

[kimm4]

Yes, Amy PM'd me and clarified that. That makes much more sense!

That's good to hear!

[baygirl65]

I have found that eating more protein with my meals has helped out(hypoglycemia--blood sugar issues). I usually don't have a problem is I balance carbs, protein, and fat in each meal. If I have carbs only and coffee in the morning it's a recipe for that shakey feeling later on. Just by adding protein powder to my oatmeal has taken care of that one, or opting for eggs & toast.

On the other hand, if you do have an attack you need to get some quick acting carbs in fast. Then follow up with some carb, protein, fat a bit later.