Why You Feel Exhausted and Tired on the Keto Diet

A common side effect that one can experience while on the keto diet is exhaustion and tiredness, especially during the early stages of the dietary transition. Here are some common reasons why you may feel tired all the time while on the keto diet.

You Are Experiencing the Keto Flu

Before your body goes into ketosis, there will be a period of time when you may experience all sorts of side effects such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, and nausea. It’s going to be quite exhausting when your body and mind has to endure one or more of these side effects for a couple of days. How long the keto flu lasts will differ for each individual. There are some steps that you could take in preparation for it.

One way to beat exhaustion while on the keto diet is to drink plenty of water. Your body will start to lose a lot of water as the stored glycogen in the muscles and liver are burned off for fuel. Dehydration can trigger tiredness because every part of your body relies on water to function properly.

When your body loses water, it also loses electrolytes. An imbalance in body electrolytes can lead to symptoms like fatigue. One of the most common electrolytes in the body is sodium. A lack of sodium can affect the body’s fluid balance so it’s important to keep it in check.

You Aren’t Eating Enough Fat

You could also feel exhausted all the time while on the keto diet because you aren’t consuming enough fat. With fat taking over carbs as the primary source of fuel, it’s important to eat enough fat to maintain your energy levels. Some people like to snack on fat bombs to combat tiredness throughout the day.

It may take a bit of experimenting to figure out the right amount of fat to eat. If your primary goal of following a keto diet is to lose weight then it’s important to find the right balance in consumption of fat and calories. There are plenty of healthy foods that are high in fat, such as avocados and cheese.