I agree with the first reply. You may need a few more carbs. Maybe a piece of lower sugar fruits, or squash or root veggies. Paleo isn't meant to be low carb just for low carb sake unless you are trying to lean out. Listen to your body, there are variations within Paleo so it can work for everbody. There are also supplements you can take that help your brain make that conversion to a a fat burning brain. They can help with energy too. Alpha GPC for mental acuity. GPLC GlycoCarn helps the body burn fat for energy. So does L-Carnitine. I went through something similar. I've been on Paleo a year now and those supplemts really helped get me over the hump. I found mine at The Fruitful Yield. Hope it helps!

Maybe your one of those people that needs a bit more carbs. I had all your symptoms. I train nearly everyday, crossfit four times a week, other sports on other days and one rest day. I felt terrible after a month of strict paleo. I train at 6am and now introduced a small portion of gluten free porridge after a work out and feel loads better.

You may find you simply need to eat more. Particularly since that is likely to help with more energy, health, and muscle gain! The difficulty is that there is a wide range of meat cuts in terms of the fat involved. I get great local pork chops, and visually I'd say at least a third of it is fat. And I eat the fat first, so it's not unusual for my 'meal' to be as much fat as lean meat if I don't finish the chop (they're pretty big). But I can go shopping and get chops with virtually no fat on them at all.

Of course, it's possible that you're in no-man's land with your carbs - not eating enough to live off but eating too many to allow your body to efficiently use what fat is available. If the body's confused about its environment then it might shut down a bit. I wouldn't be surprised to find that you actually functioned better by not eating anything at all - for a few days at least.

Or as Becky says, there's lots of people who seem to need lots of carbs every day to cope with their schedule.

Or there may be some micronutrient you're low on, maybe you need a bit more salt and your water regulation is off kilter.

There's lots of things you can try, to an extent you need to consider what's important to you. I much prefer eating infrequently but eating a lot when I do. So long as I stick with proper foods (and mainly animal products) this works out - if I eat too much then it's going to be that much longer until I feel like eating again. Things seem a lot easier when I'm not trying to self-medicate hour by hour to adjust my energy/mood/health etc. with food.

"30g of 85% dark chocolate in small pieces spread throughout the day (contains 20g of carbs per 100g),baked sweet potato chips (probably another 75g, but as I said I only eat sweet potato on days when I train)"

You also said you train three times a week, so it sounds like you're kicking yourself out of ketosis three times a week.

You might want to look up targeted ketogenic diets and cyclic ketogenic diets.

Kim, I'm in the same boat as you. When I started Paleo I had an enormous energy spurt. Now 3 weeks later I'm moody, cranky and my energy level is at an all time low. I also get one too many food cravings and I'm always hungry.

I'm battling through it just like you, but I've read enough about this lifestyle that everyone goes through this stage. So earlier than others, and some longer than others. The key is to hang in there and make small adjustments to see what is working for you.

I think eventually I'm going to be one of those Paleo eaters that just needs a lil more carbs during my day.

So glad to hear I'm not alone! Hang in there.

Maybe focus on changing either diet OR training until things settle down - it sounds like your body's asking for rest.

Check out suggestions for GAPS Intro re detox baths etc, in case they give you some relief (or at least company!). Consider AIP for 2-4 weeks. Headaches could be as simple as dehydration, especially as your body gets used to this new metabolism, but keep an eye on them. A broader diet would help with minor deficiencies. That means figuring out veg, organ meats and fish - get thee to a (not super) market and ask! Get yourself some raw salt - try Murray - and use to taste. If you're not trying to lose, you'll need more carbs; ketosis is a tool you may not want to apply right now. Alternatively have you considered food/protein cycling, or LeanGains?

Fish = oiled pan preheated to medium, filet in until the white is 1/3 up from the bottom, season and flip, wait 3 minutes. Check out epicurious, or taste.com.au or any of the 10 000 ancestral health cooking blogs.

I did see your note about pork, but have a look at the WAPF article on proper preparation and see if it changes anything for you.

I felt the same way. What helped me... 1. Sweet potatoes, early afternoon at crash time, cut into fry shapes and baked with butter and salt. I think it's not only the carbs but also startch? 2. More water, I think I was dehydrated. 3. Eating either salmon or halibut once a day pan fried in butter. (I can't have berries - fruit intolerance)

I have the answer for you! Thanks for posting your daily meals!

1. Compare your diet with Terry Wahls. Where are your leafy greens - kale, collard, spinach?
2. Where are your mushrooms?
3. Carrot?
4. Blue/purple vegetables? I don't see beets and red cabbage!
5. Berries? Especially blueberries/blackberries?
6. Skip the eggs - you might be allergic to them.
7. Skip the bacon - the fat in bacon is not that beneficial.
8. You should have some fish or at least fish oil.
9. You don't get enough Omega 3.

Love,

VB