I need to add carbs thinking of

  • Moving to south beach. I am having so many leg cramps it is crazy and I can't take potassium because my blood pressure drops crazy low. I've tried magnesium and calcium. I've tried drinking salted water. I drink about 100 oz of water a day. Nothing helps. So I ate a banana yesterday almost immediately the leg cramps were gone. Took my blood pressure a little bit later and it was back to normal for me, which is still low for the average, but normal for me. This morning same problem. Ate another banana, and I feel tons better. So I need at least fruit and maybe some whole grains. I will lose slower but feeling better is important too. So I'll give up some bacon and eat an apple. All of us are different and our bodies react differently. And yes, I did read the book and followed everything to a T.

    Good luck everyone. I hope we all reach our goals
  • I would try low-potassium fruit/carb sources before assuming it's the carb level causing the leg cramps. Potassium-deficiency is much more likely. Bananas are especially high in potassium (figs and apricots are even higher in potassium per calorie).
  • Are you taking anything that pulls potassium from your body? That could be your problem if bananas seem to be stopping the problem. Maybe taking vitamins might help you rather than switching to south beach diet.
  • Fruit & whole grains are also allowed on Atkins...in the later phases...but...you could move ahead to 1 of those phases and still enjoy bacon!