Removing Carbs

So, in a bid to relieve my ever worsening symptoms of RLS (restless leg syndrome) I am going to try cutting out carbs as much as is possible, as it appears to have helped some people.

However, I'm not really used to not eating carbs so if anyone has some suggestions as to what to 'replace' them with, I would be very grateful! Or would you just eat more veg?

Vegetables are carbs.

Are you talking about giving up processed carbs? LOTS of people tout the benefits of that, but to give up the natural carbs that are in vegetables and fruit probably wouldn't be a good idea

I've read that lower body weight training helps with RLS. Have you considered that?

LTK wrote: Vegetables are carbs.

Are you talking about giving up processed carbs? LOTS of people tout the benefits of that, but to give up the natural carbs that are in vegetables and fruit probably wouldn't be a good idea

Yes I know.. I meant processed carbs.

I don't really enjoy weight training but I run and do yoga instead, which hasn't actually helped that much so far. Though I am going to up my yoga sessions to every day to see if it helps.

Eat a lot more rice, beans, quinoa, lentils. Make smoothies and juice from fresh fruit if you can or just eat plates full of sliced up apples, organges, grapes, whatever you like. Keep eating this kind of real food and don't go for the pasta, breads, stuff made from all the flours and sugars. Large vegetable salads.

Stop eating inflammatory foods: Omega 6 fats, all processed food (anything you don't eat raw/whole/made yourself using whole foods), REFINED carbohydrates like breads, pasta, sugary snacks, etc, sugar except for natural sugar in fruits, trans fats. Take anti-inflammatory supplements such as Omega 3 fats, calcium and magnesium, curcumin, valerian, iron, b vitamins, ginger, vitamin a and e (all of this you should get from foods you eat as supplements are kinda a marketing scheme). Anti-inflammatory foods include: cherries, peppers, walnuts, fatty fish, berries, beets, tomatoes, leafy greens.

Some natural remedies:
http://www.naturalnews.com/037739_restless_leg_syndrome_homeopathic_remedies_relief.html

Edan wrote:
However, I'm not really used to not eating carbs so if anyone has some suggestions as to what to 'replace' them with, I would be very grateful! Or would you just eat more veg?

I wouldn't try to replace them. I would just try to eat more healthy foods.
When I first started I tried to limit myself to home-made items only. If I wanted bread - I had to make it. That put an end to things quite quickly haha

As someone who is on Keto (low carb, high fat), I'd reccomend these resources to find some great recpies and alternatives you could use!

www.reddit.com/r/keto
www.reddit.com/r/ketorecipes
www.ruled.me

no processed foods, no fizzy drinks (unless sparkling water), third fruit (low GI), third meats(go for quality) and third veg(no legumes) work wonders for me. Even with this you will get huge carb cravings though, so be extremely careful or you'll find yourself at the shop trying to buy more rubbish than your bank will allow. Wheat and similar grains definitely are no-go, and don't shy away from fats.

I'm not sure completely removing carbs from your diet would be advisable as you'd essentially be running on meats and fats....

carbs are needed....it's shouldn't be about eliminating carbs...but reducing the bad carbs...

the bulk of a good diet should be protein...it builds/rebuilds muscle tissue
carbs (sugars) are needed just to get the fire started
fats (good fats) are needed to keep the fire burning


people always overlook the "hidden" carbs in their foods and the "hidden" fats...

anytime i start to get a bit fidgety i simply make a more concentrated effort to control my body...as a kid if we got fidgety a slap on the back of the head settled us right down...

I did true-low carb for a while, and I highly reccomend the following book as an aid: http://www.amazon.com/The-Schwarzbein-Principle-Healthy-Feeling/dp/1558746803

Also keep in mind that while eating higher protein is good, eating too much meat can lead to other complications. A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to just 15 carbs a meal (about 1 slice of standard bread). Some carbs from starchy sources are good for the body, so there's no need to cut them all out, but you can replace most with things like nuts and seeds, and lots of good veggies.

I do keto and I have dropped 30lbs. I know that's different than what you are talking about, but I found that www.reddit.com/r/keto has some really good information, resources, and recipes.

If you drink pop/soda, it would probably be a good idea to replace as well. I have found that many of the pop companies are starting to bring out flavoured carbonated water which gives you the sensation of drinking a pop (carbonation), better taste than regular non-flavoured carbonated water, and no carbs/calories. If you do decide to go this route ensure its the non-sweetened ones, some carbonated water replacements just substitute sugars with artificial ingredients which I would not suggest.

I also do Keto, started 6 months ago and fantastic results. Of course, at the start my body did have to get used to it.

https://www.ketowiz.com/how-to-start-a-keto-diet/

I did the keto diet for 8 months with a weight loss result of 65 lbs. I limited carb intake to 20 carbs daily. If you are not going for keto, then the replies above are helpful. You most definitely want to cut out all processed foods and up water intake (Hail Hydration). You will want to also cut out some grains and flours as just one serving of oat meal can have up to 40 carbs. Just keep in mind that your body uses carbs as a go to energy source. So decide on how many carbs you want to cut. Probably no less then 100 daily especially since you run which utilizes carbs for energy. Also learn out to count net carbs....

Gross Carbs minus Fiber = Net Carbs

This recipe for baked bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts will exceed all your expectations. The meat is moist, flavorful and juicy and the recipe is super easy to make. It is sure to become your go-to recipe for split chicken breasts from now on. It turns out fabulous every time. Try it Yammy!))
Bone In Chicken Breast Recipes

How To Cook Chicken Breast In A Pan
The best option to reduce carbohydrates in the diet is chicken!
Great recipe for quick metabolism here.

I'm gonna be the bad guy here and say that Keto is like the CrossFit for your diet: sure you'll see results almost immediately but it isn't healthy in the long run because your body stores excess protein as fat which wrecks your kidneys.

Doing something as simple as cutting excess junk food, soda, alcohol, and smoking out of your lifestyle paired with balanced cardio and strength training will be more than enough to maintain a long-term healthy life

On a slightly tangential note, RLS is partially hereditable (a lot of people on my mother's side of my family have it) so it might not be something you're doing wrong per se

Carbs are an essential part of your diet. Fruit and veg are carbs, and should make up two thirds of it.


Getting rid of milk, grains, and any drink other than water (which are also carbs) is the best thing you can do for your health.

It's easy and wont screw up your metabolism either.

In terms of finding a healthy diet, everybody is different.

I need keto to stop the progression of my diabetes. So, that's what I do. Yes, it's tricky and has to be monitored, but it's better than taking insulin every day. So.