I just started to switch to low carb and calorie reduction. I am horribly, horribly dizzy. I ate about 1200 calories yesterday which is low for me with about 50 grams of carbs. I ate 1 egg/1 slice extra thin swiss cheese/can't believe it's not butter on a weight watchers english muffin for breakfast. It's been 3.5 hours and I feel Horrible - light head dizzy...argh misserable - do you think this could be diet related. I have drank 32 oz of water today so I know I'm not dehydrated...

3.5 hours is too long to go without something else. At least it is for me. I always bring raw veggies to snack on. 1,200 cal might be too low for you. How many cals did you eat before? Are you working out as well?

I am usually around 1400-1650 but without eating to many carbs I was having a hard time figure out whatelse to eat (I'm not a big cheese or meat person).
I walk about 4 miles a night....

I would search online for some low-carb snack ideas... cheese is obviously a big one, but I can also think of... nuts, egg salad (eaten with a fork), flax crackers, plain yogurt (you can put some berries in there), hard boiled egg, etc.

ETA: Have you JUST begun doing low-carb? If so, part of your lightheadedness might be sugar withdrawal symptoms. Those will pass in a few days (if that's what's happening).

What plan are you following? Is it a specific one, like Atkins?

If you're not following a specific plan, then 1200 cals sounds pretty low, and 50 gms. carbohydrate is also low. You could go up to 90 grams carbs... Also, have something to eat every 2 to 3 hours--include protein with your snacks (e.g. cottage cheese, regular cheese, tuna, lowfat milk, soymilk, etc).

Sounds like hypoglycemia--your blood sugar has gone too low. Be sure to eat complex carbs, not sugar--it keeps things more balanced because complex carbs are absorbed more slowly.

If this continues, you should check with a doctor or other health professional.

Jay

hmmm sugar withdrawl - I never thought about that. I had a few grams of carbs with breakfast because I am slowly lowering my carbs. It was weird I never felt hungry just wooosh dizzy and light headed..

I've been doing low carbs in my low cal eating. I always have carrot sticks, broc, bell peppers around. I also will make sure that I have a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese with my lunch, for some reason it really helps me.

I also eat boiled eggs without the yoke. two or three turkey slices are a good snack too. Another snack is I get a cup of raw spinach with a spoonful of chicken salad (canned chicken, onions, relish, boiled egg white, lemon juice, salt and pepper.) It's actually really good.

I hope that helps some. I'm not doing Atkins, it has too much fat for me, but limiting my carbs to veggies. It's been working for me. You can PM me if you want.

Hey thanks so much I will keep that in mind....

The first few days I gave up bread, rice, pasta and sugary fruits, etc. I had a MASSIVE headache and I felt dizzy too. It passed after just a few days, though, and then I felt pretty great.

I would try to plow through for another day or so -- maybe eat a few more snacks though to make sure you're not just HUNGRY -- and see if it goes away on its own. If it's sugar withdrawal, that feeling should be gone in 2-3 days.

Do you have sinus trouble right now?
Everyone at my work has some issue with their sinuses seems like.
I've had some times I felt kind of like my head was spinning, but I think it's sinus/weather related.

I'm not sure anyone can really tell you reasons you may be lightheaded without knowing when it happens (ie if this was after exercise or what). As other said, I agree it could be low blood sugar or some kind of sugar withdrawal... but when I was on low carb and I was running, I was VERY lightheaded (which never happened on a moderate carb diet). I found out that this was due to one burning primarily carbs during moderate to high intensity workouts and fat during low intensity workouts. I just didn't have enough carbohydate intake to fuel a high intensity workout. Depends on when this happens, but I asked the same question when I was on it.