You don’t need to attend a class to learn about the most common mistakes people can make on a low Carb diet. Carbs are great for quick energy but not so great for actually losing weight.

Here’s a handful of “all too common” mistakes we all can fall for while on a low carb diet. 

1). Crash Conversion:

Getting into ketosis usually takes several days. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not “in Ketosis” on day one. Your body is changing behaviors that it has followed for years, even decades. It’s OK to gradually convert your system from burning carbs to burning fat for fuel over a period of days. Try 100 carbs on day one (difficult enough), then 50 carbs on day two, 30 carbs on day three, and finally 10-20 carbs/day going forward. By then you’ll be in ketosis and on your way!

2). Not enough Water:

It’s very easy to become dehydrated while on a Keto/Low Carb diet. Your brain figures “we’re dieting” so you cut all consumption. Actually drinking enough water can help you feel full as well as keep you hydrated. When you are in ketosis your body naturally senses the ketones in your system and decides to flush them out. This expels water that would otherwise be available for use and can leave you high and dry. So start your day with a large glass of water and basically sip your way through the day. Make sure you hydrate again in the evening since your body need water to get through the night. Some have suggested consuming half your body weight in water. Confusing? Actually, here’s the formula:  If you weigh 160 lbs. divide 160 lbs. by 2 (80), and that’s how many ounces of water you should consume daily.

3). Not Enough Salt:

I know! Everyone is always saying be careful about consuming too much sodium. Stay with me here. When you stop consuming so much fast food, packaged food and junk food, your salt intake goes down. When your body starts flushing ketones, it flushes sodium as well. As you begin preparing well thought out, nutritious meals… remember to add salt!

4). Vegetables:

This one can be tricky. So… if you eat the wrong vegetables you take in too many carbs. You need to make sure all the veggies you eat are “on the list“. Also, we tend to think that certain vegetables are “zero carb” so we can eat as much as we want. Apparently: not true! Overeating (even approved) vegetables can bounce you out of ketosis in a heartbeat. The same goes for protein. (more on that later).  This matter of vegetables is critical and precise. You see we need to make sure we eat enough of the right vegetables, but not too much and make sure we avoid the wrong vegetables. The simple rule of thumb is this: vegetables that grow above ground are less in carbohydrates and vegetable that grow below ground are higher in carbs.