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Posted by u/cardio_is_lifeNutrition

Has anyone else experienced low ferritin levels after zero carbs for 60 days?

TL;DR: Low ferritin after 60 days on zero carbs; looking for tips to boost it.

I've been on a zero carb diet for 60 days and just got my ferritin levels checked. They're lower than I expected, and my energy has taken a hit during my runs. I was really hoping to feel more energized as I adapted, but now I'm wondering if I'm missing some key nutrients. Any tips on how to boost my ferritin while keeping my carb intake low? Would love to hear your experiences or suggestions!

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u/cardio_is_life

I've been through a similar phase after going low carb for a while. My energy dropped too! I found that focusing on nutrient-dense foods helped me a lot. Have you tried adding more leafy greens and organ meats to your diet? They can really help boost your iron levels.

45

Real talk, if you're feeling sluggish, you gotta eat something with iron. Even just a bit of beef or some shellfish can help. But also don't shy away from carbs completely, especially if you want to smash those runs

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u/marathonmaniac99

As a marathon runner, I can tell you that proper nutrition is key. Lowering carbs can work for some, but I wouldn't risk my ferritin levels. Have you thought about adding a few whole grains back in?

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u/midwest_lifter

Honestly, I think going zero carb can mess with your iron levels. Make sure you're getting enough red meat and dark leafy greens. You can't run on fumes.

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u/powerliftingpaul

It's cool to experiment with diets, but if your energy is suffering, maybe it's time to reassess. Try a refeed day with some carbs and see how you feel. It could be a good way to reset without going off your plan.

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u/midwest_lifter

Based on what you said, I'd also keep an eye on hydration. Sometimes fatigue can be due to not drinking enough water, especially on a low carb diet. Just a thought!

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u/gymgoddess87

I've been tracking my iron intake with Cronometer, and it's super helpful! Just be careful about how you're measuring your portions. If you're not careful, you might miss out on what you need.

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u/carbloadking

True, man. Life's too short to skip out on tasty food. Just make sure you're doing it in moderation.

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u/squat_to_pizza

Zero carbs for 60 days? I'm not gonna lie, that sounds wild! 馃槀 Have you thought about adding some spinach or kale? They're low carb and packed with iron! Plus, they might help you run like the wind.

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u/marathonmaniac99

I went through a similar drop in ferritin after a tough marathon cycle. I focused on red meat and leafy greens to get my levels back up. Also, consider doing a blood test to check for any other deficiencies, just to be safe.

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u/bro_split_bro_420

This is lowkey a skill issue, just add some carbs back and see how you feel! You don't wanna crash and burn on your runs, fam.

8

Honestly, carbs are not the enemy! I lift heavy and have learned the hard way. A low carb diet might work for some, but for others, it can lead to fatigue like you're feeling. Just be careful.

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u/calisthenics_only

You know, with calisthenics, I eat pretty low carb too, but I still keep an eye on my nutrient intake. I'd say look into some plant-based iron sources like lentils if you can fit them in your plan.

8

You might want to look into supplementing with iron or vitamin C to help absorption. I've had clients struggle with energy before, and sometimes just a small tweak can make a big difference. Don't overlook the importance of a balanced diet, even on low carb.

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Last thing, iron from food is better absorbed than supplements. So keep prioritizing whole food sources! It's all about balance, my dude.

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u/cardio_is_life

Yep, definitely pay attention to your iron intake. Maybe add some pumpkin seeds or lentils if you're okay with small amounts of carbs. They're great sources of iron!

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u/cardio_is_life

Also, have you considered meal prepping? It can really help you manage those nutrient goals, especially when you're keeping it low carb. I batch-cook lean meats and veggies to make it easy during the week.

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u/cardio_is_life

I've also heard good things about MacroFactor! It's supposed to be super user-friendly for tracking everything, even if you're doing low carb.

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u/gymgoddess87

Gotta say, i'm surprised more people aren't talking about this! Low ferritin can really mess with your gains and runs. Keep an eye on it, and don't hesitate to reach out to a pro if needed.

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u/squat_to_pizza

Yeah, hydration is key! Make sure you're not skimping on that. You could also add a pinch of salt to your water to help with electrolytes if you're low carb. It's all connected!

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u/squat_to_pizza

Honestly, zero carbs sounds like a recipe for disaster. Where's the pizza, bro? Just saying, pizza can be both delicious and nutritious!

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u/squat_to_pizza

Honestly, this whole diet just sounds like a lot of missed pizza opportunities. Just balance it out, and you can still enjoy life while hitting your goals!

8

Also, have you tried incorporating some liver into your diet? It's packed with iron, and it might be a good way to boost those ferritin levels without adding carbs.

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u/marathonmaniac99

Tracking can be a game-changer. It helped me understand my nutrient intake better. Don't just guess, put in the numbers to see the real picture.

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u/powerliftingpaul

As someone who focuses on powerlifting, I believe a well-rounded diet is essential. Iron is crucial for strength training too, so don't neglect it while cutting carbs. You need the energy to hit those PRs!

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u/midwest_lifter

Honestly, zero carb for 60 days sounds tough. I'd suggest checking if you're getting enough protein from meats and eggs, which are great sources of iron. Also, don't forget about those dark leafy greens, man! They can really help.

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u/carbloadking

This is why I could never go zero carb, man. You need those carbs for energy, especially during runs. But hey, if you wanna stick with it, try adding some beef liver to your meals for that iron boost. It's nasty, but it works!

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It's interesting you mentioned low ferritin levels. I had a similar experience after trying a low-carb diet for a while. Adding in more iron-rich foods like beef and spinach made a huge difference for me

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u/midwest_lifter

If you end up needing a different approach, you could consider a more balanced diet. It might actually help your energy levels during runs. I know from experience.

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u/squat_to_pizza

Fr, meal prep saves lives! 馃槄 I always whip up a big batch of stir-fry with chicken and veggies. Easy to grab and go! But be careful with iron supplements, too much can be bad.

11

Zero carb is tough, man. I hit a plateau too when I went low carb for a month. I'd suggest trying out more lean meats and maybe some organ meats for that iron boost

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u/calisthenics_only

For real though, check your hemoglobin too. Sometimes low ferritin doesn't mean low iron overall. Gotta keep track of that stuff! You could also explore foods rich in vitamin C to help absorption.

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u/midwest_lifter

Have you thought about using a tracking app? I use MyFitnessPal to keep an eye on my macros and micronutrients. It helps me stay on top of everything

5

To add to that, tracking your micronutrients might help. I use Cronometer and it's eye-opening how easy it is to miss vital nutrients on a low carb diet. Definitely don't overlook your vitamin C intake too.

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No cap, getting a mix of carbs and proteins has worked wonders for my energy. Sometimes you just gotta tweak things until it feels right.

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I can vouch for Cronometer too! It really breaks down your nutrient levels. You might be missing key nutrients on that zero-carb journey.

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u/carbloadking

Bro, zero carbs for 60 days? That's a wild ride. You might want to consider reintroducing some veggies. They can help a lot with nutrients while keeping carbs low

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u/gymgoddess87

Totally agree with you on tracking. I used MacroFactor for a while, and it helped me identify gaps in my diet. It's important to see if you're getting enough iron and vitamin C if you're cutting carbs like that.

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u/marathonmaniac99

You're right about not demonizing carbs. Even during my toughest training, I still included them and felt great. Running can be so energy-demanding that you might need those extra carbs to fuel your performance.

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u/calisthenics_only

Ngl, I tried going low carb too and my energy tanked. Make sure you listen to your body! If something feels off, don't hesitate to switch it up.

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u/bro_split_bro_420

This whole zero carb thing is kinda nuts! If you're not feeling it, maybe try adding in some sweet potatoes or rice. They'll give you energy and taste great with whatever protein you're having. Plus, who doesn't love carbs?

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