Does what I eat affect depression?

[Guest_1055]

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.

[Paul]

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

[Guest_1055]

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

[Simona]

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 : )

[Guest_1055]

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

[Paul]

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

[Simona]

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. 

[Guest_1055]

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.

[Guest_1055]

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. 

[Shaz1]

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.