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Why can't I tolerate Carbs?

By December 13, 2009 - 11:08am
 
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I wonder why I was able to eat foods that had carbs for years and in the last 6 years I am not able to eat carbs without having total hypoglycemic reactions. This has become such a bother for me. I have gone to 5 endocronologist and they say they have no idea what the problem is since my blood work reads normal. This is a reactive hypoglycemia I have after eatting the carbs. I am fine with veggies and berries that barely have carbs or cheeses and eggs which also have tiny amounts. But if I dare eat popcorn, of whole grain bread or Irish oats cereal or low glycemic carbs or any other carbs I get a bad reaction. Of course I could just avoid these foods but I want to get to the bottom of this problem. My thyroid bloodwork and celiac disease are normal. What could be causeing this problem? Is there a way to fix it so I can tolerate carbs? Please help. Thank you.

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

My guess would be that you have taken Antibiotics in the past that killed the good bacteria that thrive on prebiotic carbs and by continuing to avoid carbs the good bacteria never really flourished back in your gut. There seems to be some probiotic/prebiotics like SEED that could help, but who knows.

November 27, 2019 - 5:46pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Just about the time I turned 40, I am 53 now, I started feeling poisoned whenever I ate carbs. My mother is Italian and this was a problem for me on Sundays. I get a severe hypoglycemia about 1.5 hours after eating them, less severe as the day goes on, I suspect some sort of diurnal aspect to that. For every day I go off my low carb diet I get more and more fatigued and develop muscle and joint pain. Within 3 days of going no carb I feel like I am 20 again. Had every test under the sun, no celiac, no allergy, no diabetes (although it runs in my family). For all the doctors and testing the answer I got was.. Don't eat carbs. Try doing that forever, it isn't easy and my wife goes nuts trying to cook for me. Any ideas would be appreciated.

October 17, 2010 - 4:18pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I've recently learned of a Diet (not a fad yet because it isn't sexy) where you "eat your culture". So not the fad diets like Paleo etc but you would eat the everyday meals your Grandparents & their parents ate. For me (2nd generation American) I would eat what my Eastern European family would eat. My Dietary change from Mexican, Asian, Italian to cabbage, beets, radishes, sauerkraut, potatoes, dumplings - I think you get the picture. I was just getting into it when C hit so it makes it more difficult to get the required ingredients. But if you think about it, our DNA is predestined, I expect, to respond to certain foods. I'd love to hear what you think.

October 4, 2020 - 4:15pm
Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger (reply to Anonymous)

Anon - You can find more information and some ideas on steps you can take at this link: https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/why-am-i-having-problem-carbs-michelle-robson-personally-sent-me
Good luck! Pat

October 18, 2010 - 5:20pm
Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

Hi Richmanlopez/Samantha - It looks like your question was posted twice, and Dr. Tenny provided an answer here. https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/why-am-i-having-problem-carbs-michelle-robson-personally-sent-me

Can you let us know if you have the information you need, or if you need more help. Thank you. Pat

February 1, 2010 - 7:02pm

Hi, RichmanLopez,

I'm working on your question too. It's a tough one!

You didn't mention how old you are?

Are you overweight, or underweight?

Do you have this problem with beans? potatoes?

Do you have much fiber in your diet?

Are you an athlete?

And are you on any medications?

And I assume that there's no real pattern to when you have this glycemic reaction other than after you've eating the carbs? In other words, it doesn't happen only after exercise, or usually in the morning, or anything like that?

Hang with us here as we try to research this for you!

February 1, 2010 - 9:55am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Diane Porter)

I'm not the person you addressed your message to, but if I could also reply . . . I react to pinto beans which I've discovered have a high carb count. Any carb - potatoes, sugar, rice, etc. I also have CFIDS & Fibro. I usually have to sleep it off. Mornings are worse for carbs. At times, I fall into a deep sleep and feel like I have a hangover when I wake up. I started a new probiotic. Not sure if that's the same as referred to, above. I recently had a medical crisis where I couldn't put anything but water into my stomach. That lasted about 2 weeks and I was gradually able to eat again. The only thing I could eat was soda crackers & Ritz crackers. And for a while I didn't react. You'd be a miracle worker if you can solve this.

October 4, 2020 - 4:10pm
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Anon,

A low carb diet often helps fibro and CFS sufferers avoid blood sugar spikes, which means avoiding eating high glycaemic index foods such as starchy carbohydrates (white bread, white rice, white pasta) and foods containing sugar (cookies, pies, cakes).  Seeing a nutritionist may be helpful to you.

best,

Helena 

October 4, 2020 - 5:33pm

Hello,

Was anybody able to find any answers?

:) Samantha

December 17, 2009 - 9:05am

Great to hear back from you!

Thanks for the additional information--we will research your question and get back to you soon.

December 13, 2009 - 1:56pm
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