topic Does what I eat affect depression? in Staying well

Does what I eat affect depression?

Guest_1055 — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:57:50 GMT

Hi Just wanting to know if anyone has experienced changes in behaviours, moods and their emotions depending on what they do or do not eat. Because I am very convinced that for me, consuming refined sugar, the ingredient you find in a lot of processed foods makes my emotions all over the place. And when I choose to eat mainly whole natural foods, I am so so much calmer, happier and my brain is no longer foggy or heavy.Just want to know what others think. Thanks heaps.

Does what I eat affect depression?

Paul — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 21:41:17 GMT

Hey Shelley anne,

Welcome! Great topic you raise.

For some people eating sugar provides a burst of happy brain chemicals, but then the insulin burst and increase in glucose in blood can bring on sleepiness - like after eating a big meal. So I conclude from that, that if sugar can do that, it can probably have a negative effect on mood as well.

We're all obviously connected mentally to our physical body. I'd heard of some people with the ability to sense something is wrong without feeling any sensations, so I think level of sensitivity has got to have some part to play in altering the mood of someone when they consume something that has a negative effect for them.

They are my thoughts, I wonder what others think.

Thanks for a great topic Shelley anne.

Paul

Does what I eat affect depression?

Guest_1055 — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 22:31:06 GMT

Hello Paul

Appreciate your thoughts. Have you noticed this sugar reaction in your own body. I truly do want to know what others think. Or do we all just consume whatever and not really think of the possible affects it has on our mental health. Perhaps you are right about the sensitivity thing as well. It is all very interesting.

Shelley anne

Does what I eat affect depression?

Simona — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 23:34:20 GMT

Hello Shelley anne : )

I don't get depressed but I still avoid refined sugar in it's many forms like the plague and the only pan fried food I have is lean meat or salmon and the occasional omelette.

Sugar can make me extremely high strung. At my worst I was ordered off a bus in torrential rain because I was too loud. Not mean loud just happy loud. Well, the only chocolate I eat these days is 85% dark. And i only have 4 squares.

But I do treat myself once a month : ) I go to my fave eatery and choose a slice of cake and people watch. I eat clean and snack on raw foods through the day. I allow myself 1 piece of fruit per day - grapefruit but I'm quite partial to a snack bowl of blueberries and raspberries : ) And nuts are great so get into them. much better for you than muesli bars

Bye for now : )

Does what I eat affect depression?

Guest_1055 — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 01:00:59 GMT

Hello Simona

It is all so interesting about how you said you get highly strung and happy loud. I would love to know the science behind all this, so I will properly goggle it, to see what I came across.

When you say you eat clean,are you saying you stay clear from like processed stuff?

Chocolate, I would say I am addicted to it. Even when I was younger I would pinch chocolate ice creams from my nan's freezer. And still when I feel sad, my mind instantly says chocolate, just eat chocolate. Consuming it does lift the sadness for a little time, but then it comes back.

It sounds like you eat pretty good, and when you do are you less highly strung. And maybe calmer?

Shelley

Does what I eat affect depression?

Paul — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 03:46:03 GMT

Hey Shelley ann,

I don't notice any change when I eat sugar.

Chocolate has caffeine and theobromine which can both have an antidepressant effect for some people.

Paul

Does what I eat affect depression?

Simona — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 05:18:03 GMT

Aha : ) yeah I really try to avoid packaged processed foods. I also enjoy carrot sticks. But sometimes I get very hungry at 1am and I think I should eat something more for dinner the next day.

Btw the bus thing was a one -off incident and it was because of the homebrand Jaffas.

Does what I eat affect depression?

Guest_1055 — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 08:43:33 GMT

Thanks for your reply Paul. That theobromine, not sure of my spelling there. Well anyway that would be the " happy hormone thing" in chocolate. Do you agree? I am thinking that is why it sells so well.

Simona I try to eat less processed foods, because if you look at the food labels, a lot of this stuff has added sugar. But at the moment I think because I am struggling with sadness, I head for take away and chocolate. Mainly those two food items. Good that you eat carrots. I really like juicing those.

Does what I eat affect depression?

Guest_1055 — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 08:48:36 GMT

Anyone had experience with healthy fats, especially omega 3. Omega 3 along with other healthy fats I believe are good for the cells in your brain.

Does what I eat affect depression?

Shaz1 — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 13:49:07 GMT

hi Shelley anne

For me having sugar definitely changed my mood, Ive been unwell for so long. And now i haven't been having so much sugar my brain is a little clearer.

Does what I eat affect depression?

Guest_1055 — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 01:18:58 GMT

Hi Shaz1

Yeah I do believe cutting back or eliminating all refined sugar does help make our brains clearer. I went on a two week juice fast just recently, with no refined sugar. After a couple of days of withdrawal symptoms ( from all the junk, including sugary stuff) My head felt lighter, no longer cloudy, fuzzy and I could even concentrate more. It was like my brain was freed up from whatever. And like you say clearer.

Have you noticed any other changes within yourself, along with the clearer sensation? Sorry if I am being nosey, it is just I am so interested in this topic and I want others and myself to be free of whatever it is that holds us back, chains us up in our prisons and to improve the quality of our lives.

Thank you and with so much kindness to you Shaz1

Shelley anne

Does what I eat affect depression?

Guest_2350 — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 03:51:13 GMT

Hi Shelley Anne,

great post! I am interested to see what everyone thinks & experiences! I would think that food has an affect on our bodies & therefore our mind and vice versa. I have been battling with severe IBS for about 20 months now and was able to control it only on a strict low fodmap diet. While I felt heaps better on low fodmap initially, the strict diet and the reintroduction of food groups stressed me to a point where I had to stop the program - and start taking meds instead. During reintroduction I noticed the severe effect lactose can have on me physically, whilst wheat has an influence on my mood. I would like to stay clear of lactose and wheat to feel better. When I stay clear of those two I am normally staying away from processed food & refined sugar as well. Although I think I can see an improvement in my mood when I can stick to a healthy diet, I am often too exhausted / distracted / unmotivated to look after my diet, so I am not really sure if the depression gets better with the food intake, or I am feeling better anyway and then look after my diet. So I am interested to see how other people deal with their diet.

Take care, Yggy

Does what I eat affect depression?

Guest_1055 — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 12:36:06 GMT

Oh yggy, I totally get that being too exhausted and unmotivated to look after what we eat. And I am hoping others will post here as well, I am very keen to know what they think.

Does what I eat affect depression?

Guest_1055 — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 02:09:55 GMT

Today well my head hurts, Because I am known to run to chocolate to scoff it down, by the block full. Why did I choose the chocolate? Because that is my automatic response to when I feel sad, when I feel alone, when I feel like no one notices that I exist and when I do not feel loved.

I am sick of my automatic response. Because in my mind as I am writing this these are my thoughts:

- chocolate the one you buy from supermarkets is loaded with unhealthy fats, refined sugar,caffeine, calories and a chemical that tricks you to feel alright when you know you are not.

- It can be expensive when you buy it frequently and in large amounts. When the money could be spent on something of more benefit.

- that it is addictive

-Consuming large amounts may be factor for a heart attack, a stroke, diabetes, weight gain, high blood pressure. ( no I am not a doctor or anything)

- it causes me to have headaches

There I have got that all out!

Does what I eat affect depression?

Guest_1055 — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 02:15:09 GMT

And Shaz1,

I am sorry that you have been unwell for so long.

Does what I eat affect depression?

StefT — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 05:05:02 GMT

I've always been a big chocolate lover. Recently I started a healthy diet, home cooked meals with no sugars, processed additives and zero grain carbs. A few weeks into the lifestyle I ate chocolate and found it to be very sweet. So it doesn't take long to change your tastes. It takes some planning, effort and time to eat healthy but you can freeze meals. It's so worthwhile for your weight, mental well being and your long term health.

That said unless we address our underlying issues and addictive tendencies we won't be able to stick at a healthy lifestyle or anything we want in our life that take effort. It's about willpower, using our conscious to decide, not being victims to our subconscious. Audio books, self hypnosis and numerous You Tube videos can with this.

Does what I eat affect depression?

Shaz1 — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:31:43 GMT

Hi Shelley Anne,

Thank you. And i would have to agree with what you wrote above. I have eaten so much sugar in past two years in particular that i have been diagnosed as having diabetes. I brought it on myself, just didn't care what i ate. Had grandparents with diabetes and a mum with stomach cancer but it didn't stop me.

I find "healthy' living soooooo expensive, and when I'm struggling with money "junk food' is cheaper, and lasts longer in shelf life. Ive done health programs before and it costs a lot!!!!

I haven't been eating so much junk, I'm trying to identify what foods make me feel so bad and give me headaches. Sometimes i have to sleep, because I've eaten a "whole block of chocolate" etc.

I have done a little better in eating, I've thought twice about picking up doughnuts etc. And treat myself to subway sometimes. This hasn't really changed my depressive thoughts as such, but I've noticed i now don't always wake up thinking bad thoughts.

Thanks Shelley anne, its actually nice someone replies to you. It means a lot.

xx shaz

Does what I eat affect depression?

Guest_1055 — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:21:17 GMT

Dear StefT

Thanks so much for your reply. I have been researching a lot about the affects that consuming certain foods has on our body. The lifestyle you have chosen sounds like one I came across, Paleo Lifestyle.

You know when you used to eat chocolate, I am just wondering if you simply enjoyed the taste, or was it something else that drove you to eat it? Like did you think you were addicted to it, like the sugar in it?

With love xxx

Does what I eat affect depression?

StefT — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 03:41:14 GMT

I enjoy eating chocolate or any other junk for the taste and as a comfort food but it's more than that. I've gotten into the bad habit of wanting something to snack on almost constantly, a constant reward.. I tend to binge also. I do need to learn to relax and just be. I am listening to self help audio books and hypnosis You Tube sessions when I go to bed. It really is about reprogramming our brains, using our conscious to learn new positive habits.

The lifestyle I have started is the Paleo diet. I had great success on it several years ago, with moderate exercise I became super trim. It works and your desire for sweet and other junk foods fades.

Does what I eat affect depression?

gremz — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 03:48:32 GMT

In my experience what I eat definitely effects my mind state.
In saying that though, I don't think there's a clear cut answer on what might affect people and by how much.

For me, Omega-3 tablets have changed my life (well its only be 8 months, but great months!)

As for sugar, I definitely notice it play on my anxiety! While I still may get a little anxious completing a task I find stressful, it is nothing like if I eat chocolate or drink coffee before hand.
Since I still like sugar and caffeine, I do eat it, just not before I have to do anything too stressful haha. - And since driving, public transport, or walking down a busy street is stressful for me, I don't indulge often.