If you have recently started the Keto diet and have these Keto flu symptoms, you may have the Keto flu! Let’s dig in and see what these are and what you need to know.
What is the Keto Flu?
The Keto flu is something a large portion of new Keto dieters go thru in the first few weeks of doing the diet. We also call this Ketosis flu or K-flu. The Keto flu symptoms vary per person. Let’s look at what the symptoms are, what it actually is, how to prevent it and what to do to get rid of it if you do get it!
Keto Flu is Not Influenza
Why is is called the Keto flu? It’s called that because it can feel like the flu. You don’t want to take chances but do know that if you are experiencing these Keto flu symptoms in the first few weeks of dieting, there is a strong possibility that you this is what you are dealing with.
While we are sharing what we know from personal experience – this is not to be taken as medical advice! If you feel ill, go to the doctor!
Don’t worry – it’s okay, we have GOOD NEWS. There are things you are can do to get over and recover from the Keto flu that we will go into, which is much better than going thru the standard influenza, flu! Plus, K-flu is not transmittable – so in other words, you aren’t contagious.
What are the Keto Flu Symptoms
Remember that every person is different but here are the typical symptoms:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Muscle Spasms
- Body Aches
- Emotional
- Upset Stomach
- Fatigue
- Lethargic
- Hard to Focus
- Weak
- Irritable
- Drowsy
- Nausea
- Mental Fog
- Tired
Notice, fever is not listed. if you are having influenza symptoms – do get checked for that! I would hate for someone to mistaken K-flu for influenza! These two things are NOT the same!
Sugar Withdrawal Symptoms
Let’s talk sugar withdrawal symptoms.
How Do You Get Ketosis Flu?
Ketosis flu happens as your body adjusts to the lack of sugar and carbohydrates and not getting what it needs. Your body freaks out – this reaction is it’s way of signaling to you that it needs something.
That is something, while it may feel like it needs carbs (Keto Rage is a thing!) – what it needs is electrolytes.
The K-flu is the symptoms of “withdrawing” from carbs that you body goes through when it switches from burning glucose to flat.
Keto Headache
We have often heard of the keto flu also be called the keto headache. A headache is one of the sugar with-drawl symptoms. Keto headaches can be treated the same as the keto flu can.
Let’s learn about how you get it and what we can do to cure the keto flu and keto headache.
What is the Cure for Ketosis Flu?
While every person is different, we have researched and talked to numerous Keto dieters to find out how what their solutions have been.
We are also sharing what we have personally done to get over it. So is this Keto flu cure for everyone? Probably not. You need to try a variety of things to figure out what will work best for your body.
Here are different things to try if you start experiencing any Keto flu symptoms:
#1 Hydration
Up your water intake – hydration is KEY when on the Keto diet! Make sure you are drinking plenty of water (yes, water – diet soda does not count towards your water intake count.)
#2 Electrolytes
Your body needs sodium when you are going thru the k-flu so electrolytes are critical.
No Calorie Sport Drinks
Powerade Zero and Gatorade zero are both good sugar-free sport drinks that contain electrolytes. Yes, to all of you asking “is gatorade zero keto” or is powerade zero keto” – both are as long as you are okay with artificial sweeteners.
Is Mio Keto?
Another great option is MiO Sports with electrolytes.
This can be carried in your purse and added to water easily! Yes to your “is mio keto friendly” question.
#3 Pickle Juice for Keto Headache
Do you have a keto headache? One way to help ease the pain is pickle juice for a keto headache. Want to avoid the keto flu / keto headache? Create a routine of drinking small amounts of pickle juice each night before bed. Love pickles? Then you will love the pickle memes.
Why does pickle juice for keto headache work? Pickle juice has many health benefits beyond fixing your keto flu/headache. Pickle juice is made with vinegar. The vinegar is said to help stop nerve signals that make tired muscles cramp.
Another benefit to pickle juice is the sodium and potassium will help you get hydrated faster. Sodium is an electrolyte that you lose when you sweat and potassium is another electrolyte lost in sweat.
In addition to pickle juice being an electrolyte, it contains significant amounts of vitamin C and E which help boost your immune system.
Let’s not forget that pickle juice also can help control blood sugar levels and is a fermented food that is good for your gut and digestive health! Buy a big jug of pickle juice and start sipping.
How much Pickle Juice Should I Drink Each Day?
1.5 – 3 ounces of pickle juice per day should be sufficient to starting your nightly pickle juice drinking journey.
Amazon does sell pickle juice by the gallon. Prime a pickle juice gallon to your doorstep!
#4 Broth
Broth is a great option when experiencing symptoms. Bone broth, chicken, beef or vegetables will all work.
#5 Avocado
The magical green fruit, avocado is full of good fats, potassium and magnesium. All good for treating symptoms and Keto-friendly!
#6 Increase Fat Intake
You may need to increase your fat intake. Try the above before increasing your fat, but this is another option to do!
#7 5-Hour Energy
This is an untraditional method for treating the k-flu, but I personally have found it to be VERY helpful when in the midst of dealing with it!
5-hour energy has no sugar, zero carbs but does have caffeine. I know not everyone is down with energy drinks and I totally understand that – but did want to share because it really did help me when I was down and out!
Recovery
Unlike the regular flu, you can get over the k-flu as soon as your body gets the electrolytes and nutrients that it needs. My first go round, it lasted 5 days before I realized wait – I am feeling bad not because I am sick but because I am eating low carb.
This led me to research more and helped understand what was going on. The next time I went thru it – it only lasted a day. I realized quickly what was going on and got my body what it needed.
Remember, people get the this when their body needs electrolytes. It needs these electrolytes when your body goes thru changes when you start taking away sugar and carbs.
Because of this, typically people see the symptoms during the first few weeks of doing the Keto diet.
How to Avoid It
While the K-flu is not fun, you can avoid it! Here are several ways to avoid Keto flu – remember not everyone get this!
- Make drinking pickle juice (and eating pickles!) as part of your daily diet.
- Add avocados to your shopping list and make sure they are included in several meals thru-out the week.
- Are you drinking enough water? Try putting 1/2 tsp of Lite Salt, along with 1 tsp regular salt, into a 30 ounce glass of water every day. When eating Keto – drinking water is critical!
Getting What You Need
Keto flu is NOT fun, but it is avoidable! This is something that will vary per person, but what I personally try to achieve to avoid the Keto flu:
- 5000 mg of sodium chloride (salt)
- 300 mg of magnesium (chelated)
- 1000 mg of potassium (chloride or sulfate)
Avoid and Enjoy
The key here is to avoid the k-flu and enjoy the Keto diet!
We hope that this post helps anyone who is experiencing Keto flu symptoms or down and out with the k-flu. More importantly, we hope that this post helps you AVOID getting it all together!
7 Ways to Fight Keto Flu Symptoms is part of the Keto Dirty daily Keto blog