Since I started this diet I've had a horrible, constant, nagging headache and feel a bit nauseous, too.

Is it because of the diet, or just a coincidence? I'm not on an incredibly low cal diet (I can't be as I am breastfeeding twins) and I'm getting three good healthy meals a day so I wouldn't think it would cause me to feel ill, but then again compared with how much I used to eat this little might be a shock to the system?

Can dieting cause you to feel unwell like this, even if you're still getting plenty of good food?

What is "plenty of calories"? How old are the twins?

The twins are 3 months old. I don't know exactly how many calories I am getting because I don't count them, but I wouldn't think it's a low amount. I typically have a bowl of cerial such as special K or shreddies, and then for lunch a sandwich or beans on toast, banana and low fat probiotic yogurt drink and for dinner a large cooked meal such as sheperds pie, chilli con carne, spaghetti bolognaise or lasange etc and my portion sizes are quite big because I've always eaten big portion sizes since I was very young and never feel full after a small meal, so I know if I don't have a nice big lunch or dinner I won't make it the rest of the day without binging out on snacks.

Before I started the diet I would literally just eat all day, almost 24/7 as I would go to bed very late and even wake up in the night sometimes and wander though to the kitchen to find some chocolate and crisps and then I'd be up at 7 and starting the day off of eating again... To diet I'm just trying to cut that out and change my diet to a healthier more structured one of eating 3 meals a day rather than just constantly grazing.

I don't know the first thing about breast feeding, so I really can't comment on calories, but definately make sure you are drinking enough water. A very common cause of headaches and dizziness is dehydration. Try to go over the recommended minimum water consumption, drink as much as you can.

Thanks I guess that would make sense as I have also given up pepsi, which I used to drink about 5 cans a day of. That combined with breastfeeding twins (they take a lot of water out of you in the milk, I think) could easily be making me a bit more dehydrated than normal. I'll try drinking more and see if it helps. Thanks.

I had exactly the same thing when I started and have been having the same since I lowered my calories per day.

I think it is just a shock to the system and dehydration, but it does go away. I wasn't breast feeding though. (but I did breast feed in the past) You do need more calories when breast feeding- especially for twins!

I would drink more water and have a couple of hundred, nutritious calories per day- like peanut butter on whole grain bread. That way you are getting some extra energy but you're still getting something out of it. Also some smoothies that you can drink on the go. There's loads of water content. So you don't get bored of water pmsl.

I googled breastfeeding and caloric intake, and there was an article that seemed pretty useful (which I can't post a link to, since I'm still new around here).

It doesn't discuss losing weight while breastfeeding but it does cover how many calories you burn (500 a day for breastfeeding, and that's just for one baby), and how it's important to ramp up your water intake. And maybe eat several, smaller meals.

HotMama1 is right about the pb and toast idea - maybe have that with or instead of your cereal? I find having protein at breakfast makes for an easier morning, and while I love cereal, it doesn't keep me full for very long.

That's awesome about giving up Pepsi! Good luck - and congrats on your twins

I think you ought to seriously consider counting calories. You are in a complicated place, nutritionally, and you need good information to make decisions. I would start really high--like 2000 healthy calories a day--and make sure you are getting enough fat and liquid. Try that and see if you don't lose weight.

How long ago did you give up the Pepsi? That might be causing your symptoms--caffeine withrawl. It should go away as your body gets used to not depending on it, but going from 5 a day to none is bound to lead headaches and a general yuckiness feeling.

I hope you feel better soon!

Thank you everyone.

I only gave up the pepsi a week ago. Is it really possible to get withdawl from caffein??

Ohhhhhhhhh yeah. Try Googling it, there are lots of articles discussing it. Caffeine is a stimulant drug, albeit a delicious and legal one

The good news is that the side effects (the painful ones) of giving up Pepsi, should be gone in under 10 days. So, just keep doing what you're doing, drink lots of water and hang in there. If the headaches continue longer than this, maybe check in with a doctor?

Ohh I bet that's what it is then.. seeing as I've given up pepsi and chocolate and cut my 6 cups of tea down to 2 a day.

Yes, yes, yes. In fact, when I saw you had given it up, my very first thought was, "Well, that explains the headache!"

I quit caffeine cold turkey several years ago, and it took about two weeks before the withdrawal headaches went away completely. The first week was the worst, though.

Here's a short video from CNN that talks about it:
http://www.cnn.com/video?JSONLINK=/v...withdrawal.cnn

If the headache is from the caffeine withdrawal, the good news is that it should be gone in a few days.

Lisa

Soda also has a lot of sugar in it, and when you stop consuming so much sugar that can also give withdrawal symptoms, such as headache. It will pass within a couple of weeks, and then you'll feel much better (and freer).

Yeah, I'm guessing it's the caffeine. But also, keep an eye on your fluid intake. I'd bet you need more than the standard 8 glasses of water a day. I never nursed twins, but I tandem nursed a toddler and newborn, and it took a lot out of me.