Here’s What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Eating Carbs For 30 Days

1. Strangely... your breath might get worse...

Diets with no carbohydrates have been directly linked to bad breath. As the body produces ketones for energy in the absence of glycogen, these ketones are removed through urination and exhalation. The exhalation of these ketones can lead to bad smelling breath.

2. Great! Your risk of diabetes might decrease

Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, therefore cutting out carbohydrates will significantly reduce your chance of developing diabetes. Good alternatives to eat can be lean proteins, such as fish and chicken as well as removing sugary drinks.

3. Oh dear... Your Energy levels Could Drop

As humans we need energy in order to perform everyday tasks, whether that's walking your dog or driving to work. Without carbohydrates we lack the fundamental energy source, making you less productive and sluggish throughout the day.

4. You'll spend more £££ on food

Carbohydrates are most often the cheapest foods on your plate. By cutting these from your diet, you're becoming dependent on fats and proteins for energy, which are typically more expensive in the vast majority of supermarkets. This is even more noticeable with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

5. You might just get a worse night's sleep

When your body is hungry it can't relax, so when it comes to settling down for bed you may take longer to sleep or even be unable to sleep. Researchers have also proven carbohydrates are responsible for 2 brain chemicals, tryptophan and serotonin, which are involved in sleep.

6. You may struggle on the toilet

If you thought removing carbohydrates would reduce your time on the toilet then you would be mistaken. No-carb restrictive diets can be very low on fibre. Fibre is important for digestion since it helps maintain bowl regularity. Removing carbohydrates from your diet can therefore lead to constipation and digestive discomfort .

7. Believe it or not! You may lack some vitamins/minerals

When removing carbohydrates from your diet, you may lack in vitamins and minerals. Potassium, B vitamins and vitamin C are just 3 examples. It is important that you maintain a healthy balance and have a variety of foods to ensure you don't go deficient in any vitamin/mineral, which potentially could lead to health complications.

8. Your cravings will slowly start to take over EVERYTHING!

By completely restricting carbohydrates from your diet, your body will instantly begin to crave what it is missing. This ultra-restrictive diet is not only unsustainable but can lead to eating disorders and an unhealthy relationship with food. Many people could not cope and would begin to mentally deteriorate.

9. You may improve heart health

Removing carbohydrates from your diet has been linked to an improvement to your heart health. Very low-carb diets have been proved to reduce blood triglyceride levels. Elevated triglyceride levels can increase your risk of developing chronic heart disease.

10. Your diet will be boring

Completely removing carbohydrates from your diet will drastically limit your options when it comes to eating. The foods your body craves and enjoys, such as crisps or cookies are no longer on your menu. You will become restricted to bland, unappetising foods which you just won't want to eat.

11. Your teeth will be healthier

Eating a lot of simple carbohydrates can be very damaging for your teeth. When sugar reacts with plaque on your teeth it forms acid. This will slowly break down the enamel which causes your teeth to rot, leading to fillings or even having your teeth removed.

12. You'll eat carbohydrates without knowing

When we think of foods containing carbohydrates, we typically think of rice or pasta, however many foods which you wouldn't expect still contain trace carbohydrates. Continuing to eat fruits and vegetables may lead you to carry on eating carbohydrates without knowing.

13. You'll suffer at your workouts

Carbohydrates when eaten are broken down into glucose. Your muscles need glucose when performing strenuous activities in order to keep themselves fuelled up. By removing carbohydrates completely from your diet, your body has lost its quickest form of gaining energy, leading to a serious drop in physical performance.

14. Your body enters a state of ketosis

Ketosis is a process that happens when your body doesn't have enough carbohydrates to burn for energy. Instead your body burns fat and makes things called ketones which we can then use instead for energy. You may have heard of ketosis before if you have looked up on different methods of losing weight

15. You Could Begin To Lose Weight

Carbohydrates provide the body with its main source of energy. With many people conscious about their weight, cutting out carbohydrates are an easy way to lower your calories. The majority of people are over consuming carbohydrates, leading them to store excess fat.

16. You can start to get headaches

Headaches are pretty common and most people will just put them down to stress or tiredness, however removing carbohydrates from your diet could also be causing them. If you're use to eating lots of sugar, the main withdrawal symptom would be constant headaches. Studies suggest severity of headaches increases with lack of carbohydrates.

17. Your muscles will start to cramp

When you remove carbohydrates from your diet, your body could be deficient in potassium and magnesium which can lead to muscle cramps. Potassium, magnesium and sodium are responsible for muscles contraction and other processes vital to muscle and nerve function.

18. Removing carbs from your diet isn't safe for everyone

For some people, completely removing carbohydrates from their diet would be dangerous. If you're on any blood sugar or blood pressure moderating medication you should not go on a no-carb diet unless you speak to your health practitioner. Those already suffering from diabetes would be under risk too.

19. Your appetite will be reduced

Studies consistently suggest that people who remove all carbohydrates from their diet will reduce their appetites. By eating more proteins and fats they change their metabolism to cope with eating less foods, whereas when eating carbohydrates your body tends to need more food to function.

20. Your memory will become less sharp

Just like your body, your brain also requires energy from carbohydrates to function. A study from Tufts University on over weight women proved that feeding them a no-carb diet worsened their working memory and visuospatial memory compared to their counterparts.

21. Your belly fat can reduce

Limited research has begin to suggest that diets with no carbohydrates are better than low calorie diets when it comes to burning belly fat. Belly fat is some of the most stubborn fat to remove and can't always be removed by just exercising or eating in a calorie deficit.

22. You'll eat less processed foods

By removing all carbohydrates from your diet, you also removing the vast majority of all the processed foods in your diet. Processed foods are typically loaded with sugar and refined carbohydrates which are directly linked to diabetes and other diseases. You'll also be increasing the number of whole foods you are eating.

23. You'll experience mood swings

Just when you thought there was enough negatives to removing carbohydrates from your diet. If you remove all carbohydrates form your diet, your body may not be producing enough serotonin which is the bodies 'feel good' hormone. You will begin to have noticeable changes in your mood and overall mental health.

24. You may develop clearer skin

Is your skin covered by pimples? If so removing carbohydrates from your diet may benefit your skin. Sugar and empty carbohydrates have been linked to worsening your skin and promoting acne. A high sugar diet can trigger hormones that produce oils which clog your pores, as well as causing inflammation on the skin.

25. You will have to drink lots of water

You could well find yourself drinking a lot more water than usual once you remove all carbohydrates from your diet. Carbohydrates retain water when in your body so removing them will also cause you to reduce water retention, making you need to drink more water then previously required.

26. Your liver could worsen

When you remove all carbohydrates from your diet, your fat intake will increase in order to fuel your body. Having too much fat to digest can put stress on your liver, and if you have any underlying health issues you may be in a spot of bother.

27. You'll discover healthy alternatives for carbohydrates

With the number of food alternatives increasing all the time, your options for zero-carbohydrate foods will adequate over the short term. Replacing rice for cauliflower rice or bread for soy bread are some of the few options you can include for some variety in your diet.

28. You may not want to reintroduce carbohydrates again

As we know, each person has different preferences. Some might not be able to go without carbohydrates, some on the other hand may prefer it and find it works for them. If you cut out all carbohydrates for weight loss reasons and you lost weight, you may want to continue with no carbohydrates.

29. You will have to be more creative making meals

As humans we need around 45% to 65% of our energy from carbohydrates. When you decide to remove them from your diet it fills a void that must be replenished from something. You may find yourself planning your meals more carefully now and experimented with different cooking options in order to keep yourself entertained.

30. You'll realise its not a very good idea

Reading through the many negatives in the list, you will probably have come to the conclusion that completely removing carbohydrates from your diet is not only very unsustainable, but comes with a number of health complications that outweigh the benefits. Although there are some short term health benefits, the long term effects are still not well known.

31. You'll Drop The Water Weight

Carbohydrates make us retain water in our body - which is not a bad thing it keep the body hydrated. But, when you ditch the carbs you will drop this water weight. So you may notice yourself instantly losing the pounds. As soon as you start eating carbs again this water comes back.

32. You May Feel Dizzy

There are some nasty side effects to dropping out the carbohydrates completely. One of these is that you may feel dizzy. Your body functions best with some carbs so adjusting will take a while. The sensation should be temporary and not last too long however.

33. You May Feel Fatigued

 It's common knowledge that carbohydrates give us energy. So, it makes sense that if we cut these out of our system we will feel fatigued. Your body will learn to use other energy stores. So, this feeling of fatigue may be temporary or it could stay.

34. You May Initially Bloat

This is a side effect that many people don't factor in because they usually think you will instantly get slimmer. But this is not the case. Your body will be eating more of other foods which contain more gas that carbohydrates so you may look a little bloated for a while.

35. You Will Consume More Fat

If you are not consuming carbohydrates you have to eat other things. Which naturally, have more fat in them. You may be eating healthy so this could improve your good fats but naturally its most likely you will be having more bad fats too. And, saturated fat intake should be no more than 5% to 6% of your daily consumption.

36. You May Experience Mood Swings

Our moods may also be affected when we stop having any carbohydrates. It can make you feel more up and down and your body may not stabilise your mood as effectively. This is a problem which can e temporary but it can also last the entire no carb period.

37. Kidney Problems Can Worsen

If you already have kidney problems then cutting out the carbs from your diet is definitely not a good idea because doing so can make them worse. It is not good for our kidneys in general and so anybody with problems already should take this into consideration.

38. It Could Make Anxiety Worse

It has been shown that people with low-carb diets over time had less serotonin (the molecule of happiness) in their brains than those who were on low-fat diets. Healthy serotonin levels help fight against anxiety and depression. So cutting them out won't give you that boost anymore.

39. It Can Dehydrate You

Carbohydrates store water in our bodies and so when these are removed a lot of our water retention goes. It can lead the body dehydrated so you have to be careful to drink extra water and stay properly hydrated if you are considering no carbs or the keto diet.

40. You May Look More Toned

When you cut out the carbohydrates from your body you will find that you do drop some fat or you are left looking a little bit more toned. This is one of the only motivations for people cut carbs due to the host of problematic side effects when you do.

41. You could develop diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a condition where the small pouches in your large intestine get inflamed and infected. This usually only happens when you not only cut out the carbs from your diet but when you have an increase in protein. It can leave blood as a sign too.

42. It Might Reduce Your Hormone Production

Cutting carbs may reduce your hormone productions. Hormones are essential for pretty much everything that goes on in our bodies. They control the functions of everything including your mood. So this is an issue you have to take into consideration.

43. It Could Lower Your Sex Drive

This is something that is a continuation from the previous point - it's to do with hormones. The decrease in hormone production can lead to a lower sex drive. For example in men, your production to testosterone may dwindle, leaving you with less of a sex drive than before.

44. Your Immune System Will Weaken

 Carbs in our diet help with our gut, our hormones...and a whole host of essential functions for our body. So when we aren't fuelling our body with any carbs of course your immune system may weaken and you may find yourself more prone to catching viruses.

45. You May Lose Hair

Now this is a side effect that nobody expects. But, it has actually become quite a common thing that when someone stops eating carbs and starts doing the keto diet they may notice their hair start thinning or even losing weight. This can be reversed.

46. You May Be Nauseous

For a while when you cut out carbs you may find yourself feeling nauseous and a little bit sickly. After all, carbohydrates are a normal and good part of a natural and balanced diet. The body needs them to function properly. So while you adjust, this is a side effect.

47. Skin May Worsen

When you cut out carbohydrates, you interfere with the bacterias in your gut which are completely necessary for our digestion. But, when you drop carbs from your diet it can mess up these bacteria and poor gut health is directly linked to skin problems.

48. Nails Can Get Weaker

In a similar vain, your nails may get weaker you may find that they are snapping more easily and they may feel brittle. This is again is all to do with our gut bacterias. Which, are responsible for keeping our nail health good too as well as helping us digest our food.

49. It Can Help Those With Epilepsy

People have been using the keto diet now for around 100 years, as a way to treat or lessen the symptoms of their epilepsy. It can especially be useful in children who don’t respond well to their epilepsy medication. Another option is cutting out carbs from the diet.

50. You Might Get 'Brain Fog'

Brain fog is a temporary state once you cut out carbs. You may feel like you cannot think properly so do not be alarmed this is directly linked to you removing the carbs from your diet. This is just another way your body tells you that cutting out all carbs is not natural.

51. You Can Get The Shakes

One downside to cutting out carbs is that you could end up feeling shaky from time to time. This is because carbohydrates are a primary energy source, and sudden reduction can lead to low blood sugar levels, causing those shaky sensations (especially in your hands). If you’re worried about this, be sure to speak to your doctor.

52. You'll Ditch The Belly Fat

When you say goodbye to those carbs and embrace high-fiber foods, you can look forward to losing that stubborn belly fat. This is because the unhealthy microbes in our gut don’t have as much sugar to feast on, which effectively reduces bloating. Bumping up your fiber intake helps this process.

53. You're Less Likely To Dive Into The Snack Drawer

Fast, cheap calories that come from carbs don’t satisfy us. In fact, they make us a whole lot hungrier! Reducing your carb intake can be tough at first, but your body will eventually adapt. Lower carb consumption often stabilizes blood sugar levels, preventing rapid spikes and crashes that trigger hunger.

54. Your Muscles Will Eventually Get Stronger

Okay, so you can definitely struggle with exercise when you drop carbs. But the trick is to replace them with protein and other nutrients, as this will help fuel those workouts and strengthen your muscles. This is because protein is like a building block for muscle (and a key for healthy skin, hair and nails.)

55. You Can Get Irritable

Refining your carb intake can lead to irritability for a couple of reasons. Carbohydrates play a role in serotonin production, a neurotransmitter that affects mood. So if you get rid of serotonin (your happy hormone) you’re definitely going to be irritable! The low blood sugar that comes with carb reduction can also contribute to mood swings.

56. You Might Feel Sick And Empty

If you find that you’re feeling sick now you’ve stopped eating carbohydrates, you’re not alone. This is a relatively normal side effect, and occurs as the body adapts to using alternative energy sources, such as ketones, during the initial stages of carb reduction. Adequate hydration and electrolyte intake may help relieve these symptoms.

57. Brace Yourself For 'The No-Carb Flu'

We’ve experienced this for ourselves, and it’s not pretty. No carb flu, also known as keto flu, can make you feel like your body has been hit by a truck. Weakness, dizziness, fatigue, constipation and difficulty sleeping are all symptoms of this, and can happen as your body adjusts to life without carbohydrates.

58. Confusion

This might be a bit of an extreme example, but cutting out carbs can lead to confusion and cognitive difficulties in some cases, as the brain relies on glucose from carbohydrates for energy. Insufficient glucose levels can impact your cognitive function, which affects your memory. If this is something you’re experiencing, speak to your doctor straight away.

59. Stomach Pain

Stomach pain after cutting out carbs can happen for a few reasons. Sudden dietary changes can affect your digestion, which can lead to a whole lot of discomfort. Throw in some potential constipation from lack of fiber, and it’s no wonder your stomach hurts! It’s also important to think about the high-fat items you’re consuming, as this can make the problem worse.

60. Hypoglycemia Becomes A Risk

If you suddenly cut out carbohydrates from your diet, you might end up with hypoglycemia, as carbohydrates are the primary source of glucose (your body's main energy fuel). Without a regular supply of glucose, blood sugar levels can drop, causing hypoglycemia symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, and even confusion in some cases.

61. Lack Of Concentration

Did you know that a lack of carbohydrates can actually affect your concentration? This is because carbs are a primary energy source for the brain. Without an adequate supply, you may end up experiencing difficulty focusing and mental fatigue. This is why it’s really important to eat foods that support your cognitive function like fruits and whole grains.

62. Vomiting

Speaking of drastic symptoms – while reducing carbs alone won’t cause vomiting, extreme dietary changes in a small space of time can seriously upset your body. Vomiting can happen when you have inadequate levels of nutrients, or be the end result if you’re frequently experiencing nausea in your new no-carb diet.

63. It's Mentally Taxing

Let’s face it – most diets can get difficult to maintain after a while. But no-carb diets are especially taxing, as they’re super tasty, widely available, and are a primary energy source. They even give us little pleasure signals in the brain, which can make them incredibly hard to kick. So don’t be surprised if you find things mentally challenging!

64. Your Saturated Fat Intake Could Go Up Dramatically

This might sound harsh, but just because you’re cutting out carbs doesn’t mean you’re healthy. To get pleasure and satisfaction from food, some people start consuming way more saturated fats than they used to, like meat, cheese, and cream. These foods can gradually increase the non-HDL (bad) cholesterol in your blood.

65. And This Can Take Its Toll On Your Heart

Unsurprisingly, all of this saturated fat can really impact your heart. As your cholesterol increases, you become much more at risk of strokes and heart and circulatory disease. This is why it’s a really good idea to replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats instead, which you can find in fatty fish, olives and avocado.

66. You Might Be Difficult To Cook For

With all these dietary requirements, you’re not exactly going to be the most sought-after dinner guest! You might find that people struggle to come up with meals and recipes that suit you, or they might insist on you having ‘just one bite’ of your favorite pizza. Remember not to be peer pressured into eating something you don’t want.

67. Increased Risk Of Colon Cancer

There’s emerging evidence suggesting a link between low-carbohydrate diets and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. And if you’re consuming lots of protein and not much fiber, you’ll need to go easy. While more research needs to be carried out in this area, it’s definitely something worth bearing in mind for the future.

68. Less Opportunities To Eat Socially

Remember the days when you could happily get together with your colleagues at lunchtime? Think again. Your new no-carb rule might reduce your opportunities to eat socially, as so many gatherings generally revolve around treats like pizza, pasta, cakes and desserts. This can actually impact your social interactions and relationships over time.

69. It's Hard To Maintain

Okay, so we’ve kinda touched on this already, but diets are SUPER hard to keep up with in the long term. Going 30 days without carbs is all well and good, but can you realistically maintain this diet for the rest of your life? Be sure to go through the pros and cons of this with your doctor.

70. Which Means You Could Fall Off The Wagon... Badly

If you’ve ever been on a diet before, you’ll know that it’s all too easy to fall off the wagon. Because the more you deprive yourself of something, the more you’ll inevitably crave it! Our bodies love carbohydrates because they’re an energy source, and they’re also very hard to avoid. Throw in social pressures and limited food options, and you’ve got your work cut out.

71. You'll Crave Those Carbs When You Dine Out

Nothing will put your willpower to the test quite like going to a nice restaurant. With so many carb-rich options on menus these days, it’s a definite challenge to avoid foods like bread, pasta, and desserts. Factor in the pressure from your loved ones to treat yourself, and it becomes tough to adhere to that no-carb diet.

72. Your Body Will Look For A Different Source Of Fuel

When you ditch carbs, your body will look for an alternative fuel source, so it’ll start breaking down stored fat instead. While your body will tend to use glucose from carbs, it undergoes a bit of a metabolic shift when you cut them out, so go steady. It’s a good short-term weight loss trick, but it can take its toll on you mentally and physically.

73. You'll Inevitably Gain Weight When You Start Eating Them Again

When you reintroduce carbs after a low-carb period, your body starts to replenish its glycogen stores, which causes water retention. Plus, that increase in carb intake will inevitably lead to higher calorie consumption. So unless you’re planning on frequent hardcore exercise, you’ll end up gaining weight once you ditch the diet.

74. You Might Be Really Unhappy

We get that you might want to lose weight. But a strict diet might not be the answer, and they’re incredibly restrictive. It can cause tons of unpleasant physical and mental symptoms, and can also affect you emotionally too. So if you’re finding that you’re really unhappy on your no-carb diet, it might be time to reassess.

75. You'll Might Need to Buy New Clothes For Your New Body Shape

When you shift the weight, your body size and shape change, so your old clothes might become loose or ill-fitting. Buying some shiny new clothes that match your current size not only provides a better fit, but can also boost your confidence (and reflects your commitment to a healthier lifestyle!).

76. You'll Be Impressed By Your Willpower

Shifting to a no-carb diet is tough. It isn’t for everyone, and requires a LOT of willpower along the way. So if you’re managing to maintain it while building a resilient mindset, give yourself some credit. Celebrate your achievements (no matter how small) as they reflect your discipline and commitment!

77. You Might End Up Taking A Lot More Trips To The Bathroom

While constipation is the more common side effect of no-carb diets, some people go the opposite way. If you’re drinking a lot more water or stepping up your fiber intake, you can expect a lot more trips to the bathroom as your body adjusts to its new diet, so be prepared.

78. Osteoporosis

A very low-carb diet might limit certain nutrient-rich foods, potentially impacting calcium and vitamin D intake crucial for bone health, which can increase your risk of osteoporosis. While it’s unlikely you’ll develop it after just 30 days of no carbohydrates, it’s important to bear this in mind if you’re ditching carbs long-term.

79. You STILL Might Gain More Weight By Cutting Out Carbs

As we’ve already touched on, some people can end up eating way more saturated fats once they cut out carbohydrates – and that can lead to the one thing you’ve set out to avoid! People can quickly gain weight if they have a high intake of saturated fat, so switch to protein and fiber instead.

80. Your Skin Can Get Dry

A no-carb diet can lack certain nutrients, which impacts your skin health. These foods provide essential vitamins, antioxidants, and hydration. Plus, shifting your water weight means that your skin can become more dehydrated and easily irritated, so be sure to step up your water intake and use moisture-rich skin products.

81. But You'll Look Younger And More Radiant

One major upside to reducing carbs is having younger, more radiant skin. While this isn’t a guarantee for everyone (especially if you’re suffering from major dry patches on your face) it’s a great bonus! Remember that you’ll need to maintain a balanced diet that’s rich in antioxidants and healthy fats for this to happen.

82. Food Shopping Trips Can Be Torture

It’s hard enough to go to the grocery store when you’re hungry, but when you’re on a no-carb diet, it becomes a whole different ball game. Your resilience and willpower will be seriously tested, so try and keep your visit short and sweet. If you have the option to get your groceries delivered, do it!

83. Your Risk Of Metabolic Syndrome May Decrease

A low-carb diet may help reduce some risk factors for metabolic syndrome, such as insulin resistance and obesity. Numerous studies have also shown that some people can actually reduce their risk even without weight loss! However, it’s important to note that more research still needs to be carried out in this area.

84. You Eliminate Food Groups You Need

Whether we like it or not, carbohydrates are a major food group, which we generally still need if we want a balanced diet. They provide us with energy and nutrients, so it’s important to be aware that excluding them from your diet can lead to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.

85. Lower Blood Pressure

Some people find that a no-carb diet can significantly reduce their blood pressure, but that’s not the case for everyone. Those who eat more saturated fats may well end up increasing their blood pressure, so it’s a good idea to keep tabs on this as you reduce your carbohydrate intake.

86. You Might Get 'Keto Rash'

Keto rash is an uncommon inflammatory condition that is made up of red, irritated skin that forms a rash. It’s usually found on the upper back, neck and abdomen, and can be pretty painful. This is why it’s important to be examined by doctor straight away who can help you find the right treatment.

87. There Are Unknown Long Term Effects

As a lot of medical research needs to be carried out on the long-term effects of a no-carb diet, it can be hard to know how exactly it can affect your body. As our bodies respond differently to things, a diet for one person might not work for another, so be sure to speak to a medical professional before making big lifestyle changes.

88. It's Not Appropriate For People With Eating Disorders

It’s really, really important for people with eating disorders to avoid low-carb diets, as it can contribute to further nutrient deficiencies. These kinds of diets can seriously impact people’s physical and mental health, so it’s not a safe lifestyle choice. It’s a much better idea to stick with the recovery plan your doctor has given you.

89. And It's A No-Go For Women Who Are Pregnant

Pregnant women need to swerve no-carb diets because they need carbohydrates for fetal development, energy, and overall health. A no-carb diet may lack essential nutrients like folic acid, fiber, and vitamins, so it can actually be quite dangerous for both mother and baby. Remember that balanced diets are a whole lot safer.

90. It's Difficult For Fussy Eaters

No-carb diets can be really challenging for fussy eaters because they eliminate a wide range of foods, limiting variety and taste preferences. Fussy eaters may struggle with the restrictive nature of these diets, making it harder for them to find enjoyable food options that work with their very specific tastes!

91. You Could Get Kidney Stones

This only happens in extreme cases, but it’s important to be aware that cutting out carbs can increase your risk of kidney stones. This is because low-carb diets change your urine chemistry, so you end up with higher levels of uric acid and calcium that can build up inside your kidneys.

92. Dry Lips

As a lack of carbs can lead to dry skin, it’s no huge surprise that your lips can get dry too. So be sure to step up your water intake to keep your body hydrated. We’d also recommend investing in a heavy-duty lip balm to keep those dry patches at bay.

93. Bloodshot Eyes

While a low-carb diet is unlikely to directly dry your eyes out, nutrient deficiencies can. So make sure you’re getting the right levels of fiber and protein that your body needs! Imbalanced diets can cause eye issues over time, so speak to a professional if you’re experiencing persistent bloodshot eyes.

94. It's Not The Most Environmentally Friendly Diet

If you’re falling into the trap of eating more saturated fats found in foods like meat, your diet is definitely not going to be the most environmentally friendly. Meat production makes up 57% of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the entire food industry, so try and step up your fruit and veg intake!

95. Dry Sinuses

Not only can you get dry skin, lips and eyes when you cut out carbs, but you can also get dry sinuses too. This can cause a lot of irritation to your mucus membranes, so you’ll need to hydrate yourself regularly. A more balanced diet helps maintain sinus health, so it’s something to bear in mind before you dramatically change your diet.

96. Flatulence

When you first start cutting back on carbs, you’ll find that you’ll experience a lot more flatulence. As the body transitions to a low-carb diet, changes in the gut microbiota and increased consumption of certain foods can lead to changes in bowel habits. The good news is the effect often wears off as the body adapts to a new diet.

97. Premature Death In Some Extreme Cases

There’s still a lot of ongoing research in this area, but several medical studies have found potential associations between certain low-carb diets and increased mortality risk, including the European Society of Cardiology. Medical experts generally recommend that a balanced diet is the safer option, but its good to speak to a doctor for personalized advice.

98. You Could Develop Cerebrovascular Disease

There is some evidence that suggests a potential link between very low-carb diets and an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease (CVD), particularly if the diet is particularly high in animal fats and proteins. Cerebrovascular disease generally includes things like strokes, carotid stenosis and vertebral stenosis, as well as intracranial stenosis and aneurysms.

99. Inability To Control Weight Long-term

If you’re falling into short-term diets on a regular basis, you might want to tread carefully. Cutting out carbs for 30 days might seem like a good idea at the time, but habits like this can really affect your long-term weight. Many people get trapped in a cycle of yoyo dieting, which can have implications for your weight and overall health.

100. You Might Get Heart Disease

Very low-carb diets, especially those high in saturated fats and low in fiber, may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease. These diets can negatively impact lipid profiles and other cardiovascular risk factors, so it’s something to consider when cutting carbohydrates.  A balanced and more sustainable approach to nutrition is generally recommended for heart health.