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.

[Guest_1055]

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

[Guest_2350]

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

[Guest_1055]

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.

[Guest_1055]

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!

[Guest_1055]

And Shaz1,

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

[StefT]

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.

[Shaz1]

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

[Guest_1055]

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

[StefT]

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.

[gremz]

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.