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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on July 22, 2010, at 0:28:42
I'm on day 3 of my low carb healthy eating plan and for the first time in a long while, I'm getting thoughts that people don't care about me etc. and am just feeling very needy and sad.
I think it's the low carb diet that is making me depressed. This happens every single time I try to lose weight.
What causes this? Is it low serotonin?
What can I do to fix this and still stay on my eating plan?
Posted by Deneb on July 22, 2010, at 0:49:54
In reply to Can low carb make you depressed?, posted by Deneb on July 22, 2010, at 0:28:42
I can't stand this. I feel awful.
I'm going to eat more carbs tomorrow. I can't risk getting depressed again. Sigh, why can't I be skinny and happy instead of fat and happy?
Posted by emilyp on July 22, 2010, at 16:06:27
In reply to Re: Can low carb make you depressed?, posted by Deneb on July 22, 2010, at 0:49:54
Perhaps a more balanced diet would be better. I don't know if a low-carb diet can make depression worse. Perhaps it is a biological issue - that your body craves the carbs.
But it does not really matter what it is if you feel bad. However, I suspect you could diet (but include carbs) and exercise without getting depressed. In fact, in the long run, it might even make your feel better than you are now
Posted by emmanuel98 on July 22, 2010, at 20:54:14
In reply to Re: Can low carb make you depressed?, posted by emilyp on July 22, 2010, at 16:06:27
Eat carbs and limit your calories. Try to stick with fruits and cereals with low fat milk. Yogurt has carbs. There are ways to diet without eliminating carbs. I tried that once and was nearly crazed with a desire for cereal.
Posted by Deneb on July 22, 2010, at 23:48:45
In reply to Re: Can low carb make you depressed?, posted by emmanuel98 on July 22, 2010, at 20:54:14
I did read some articles about researching showing that people who limited their carbs were more irritable and moody. It seems that carbohydrates are involved in serotonin synthesis or something.
I woke up today feeling better so maybe it was the low carbs making me depressed. I ate a lot of carbs today, but tomorrow I am going back on low carb. I find it is easier to limit calories and eat less on low carb.
So, I will continue with the experiment.
I'm eating a lot of fish now, good brain food.
Posted by emilyp on July 23, 2010, at 7:10:18
In reply to Re: Can low carb make you depressed?, posted by Deneb on July 22, 2010, at 23:48:45
Why would you continue with a diet that you know makes you depressed when their are alternatives? Sometimes slow and steady wins the race - and this is especially true about weight. (That is you are not going to lose the weight over night, regardless of what diet.) Assuming it is going to take some time, the one that does not make you depressed would seem more appropriate.
Posted by 8675309 on July 23, 2010, at 22:35:59
In reply to Re: Can low carb make you depressed?, posted by Deneb on July 22, 2010, at 23:48:45
Low carb eating is not a sustainable eating plan when I have tried. Too restrictive and I do not feel well. I try to eat balanced without cutting out any particular diet components. I learned to make better choices and portion control. I have tried almost every crazy eating plan. Long term success and health benefits come from something you can live with and not just live with temporarily.
This is the end of the thread.
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