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]

That is great that you will be working in the day Stef, I am guessing that will probably help you a lot.

I am thinking this is our own private thread..... no one else seems to come in here, and if they do, they don't say anything.

The walnuts they have some omega 3. Now I have made some raw chocolate brownies, that have walnuts in them. I actually liked them. Have you made them before?

I was just wondering how you are actually feeling? I can't remember if you have depression or not. But I hope you are doing OK??

xx

[StefT]

That brownie walnut sounds nice. I found a recipe for basically oat bars which is just oats, mashed bananas, vanilla extract, sultanas, almond milk (or any milk) and dark chocolate chips if desired. Simply harden in a low temp oven and cut into snack bars.

Regarding your thread title "does what we eat cause depression" apparently inflammatory illness or things such as vaccines or cancer drugs can cause depression. Likewise inflammatory foods such as sugar, refined grains and meat can increase depression and stress. Antioxidant anti inflammatory plant foods are very beneficial and can reduce inflammation by 30% in two weeks.

I'm ok, i'm over the deep depression roller coaster. Now i'm learning things to improve my physical and mental wellbeing. There are habits I have to break that impact my health and wallet. It's going to be a huge challenge changing the way I think but we have to ask ourselves where do we want to be in one years time.

How are you feeling Shelley anne. I'm not really sure what you are going though though i'm guessing you've been hurt recently.

[Guest_1055]

I am so, so glad Stef that you are feeling better.Truly.

I'm with you, in trying to improve physical health and wellness. Hence that is why I started this thread in the first place.

In regards to what you said about the inflammatory foods....Maybe that explains why, when we choose to not eat them our emotions seem calmer. Well that is what I have experienced. Also when I have eaten sugar, my body actually feels like it is jumping and racing on the inside, and my patience level for stressful situations is lowered. And 30%, that is quite significant.

Have you actually made the oat bars yet? I was wondering how they tasted. And how hard they actually get. They sound like something that would keep your tummy full for a while. I really like almond milk, I have made that milk a few times now.

Yes you are right, I have been hurt recently, and as painful as it feels for me. I am telling you it is nothing compared to the hurts and wounds others feel and have shared about on these forums. You see, I am a very sensitive person and I get hurt emotionally that is, very easily. My heart is healing now, which I am grateful for.

And are you getting enough sleep today?

xxx

[StefT]

I haven't made the oat bars yet, but I will soon, I think they just get firm not hard. I use supermarket almond milk everyday, it tastes great on cereal, not so much in coffee though I mainly drink tea. I've started putting some lemon in water to drink and loving it.

Today I slept three hours which makes it hard to do positive things. This weekend I want to kick a lot of goals so I continue into next week building good habits. 

I glad your healing, as you probably well know it's a rocky road and can take time. All the best with being positive and your goals.

[Guest_1055]

Well I fell off the rails, as you would say Stef. Last night I ate 2 slices of dominoes pizza, some chocolate milk and I whole block of chocolate. I just sat on my bed... and scoffed the whole block it was the Cadbury white one. I didn't even share it with anyone else. So now.... I am just sitting here on my chair in the corner, in the bedroom feeling very vague, fat and I just don't want to do anything. No.... I do not have any depressed feelings or anything at the moment, just physically tired from the junk, I think.

Suppose you just have to pick yourself up??  OK here goes.............. Bye Stef, hope you are going OK today, with your sleep and everything.

With hugs xxx

[StefT]

Ah just consider it your treat day, it's the weekend anyway. Hey if it was me I would of scoffed the whole pizza and a full block of chocolate. Home made pizza is a good option. I'm making salads now which I can use as a quick snack. I just read about dark chocolate high in cocoa or just cocoa, one teaspoon opens arteries, however when combined with milk the milk prevents this beneficial process. 

I'm considering giving my atm card to my friend every week after I fill the car and do a healthy food shop so I can't buy smokes, drink and junk food. Maybe the cheats way to combat bad habits but if it works :) 

I hope you go for a walk this weekend and head into next week positive and focused on a few goals.

[Guest_1055]

Thanks Stef, for your words of encouragement, in regards to me falling off the rails. Appreciate it.

I also have heard about dark chocolate, having antioxidants and I think magnesium. I have tried eating dark chocolate, but I didn't really like it much. I have tried raw cacao, which is raw cocoa powder I believe. It makes pretty delicious chocolatey smoothies, a bit like a thickshake. The smoothie that I make has chilled almond milk, 1/4 avocado, a sweetener which I use pure maple syrup, vanilla and the raw cacao. Which you just blend up in a good blender.

Yeah that atm idea, actually sounds real cool, I think you should try it and see how it goes...

As for a walk, well I am just about to leave now. I'm going to the beach, because they have just constructed a new walkway, running along the beach, which has a few steps and small hills. So I will see how that goes.

It is good you are preparing salads, I have trouble eating those, because I don't seem to be able to make a dressing to go on it, that I actually like the taste of. But I will keep trying..... Because I know it is great for us to consume lots of leafy greens.

Was your day OK?

Well I best go. See you..

xxx

[StefT]

Hey Shelley, it's great to hear you are walking. I didn't achieve to much this weekend, I drank,smoked and had some chocolate. All good, it's the weekend i'm chilling out. I did walk both days and will continue next week. I gave my card to my friend so I can't urge smoke.drink, junk out. For salads I am just using french dressing. Homemade dressing with basically olive oil and lemon is pretty much the same and not much less calories.

I don't know where you live but being on the beach is pretty special. All the best with your well being and goals this week.

[Guest_1055]

So how are you going without your atm card?

So are actually wanting to give up the smoking and drinking as well, as trying to eat healthy? I have never actually smoked myself, I don't even like the smell of it. But this elderly man, that I used to know smoked a pipe, one of those old fashioned ones. It smelt OK.

You know I have seen images of delicious looking salads layered in glass jars. They always look colourful and inviting. I thought they would be a good idea, because you could make a few, and then place them in your fridge. Then every time you opened your fridge, you would see a neat little row of coloured yummy salads staring out you. This week one of my goals is to consume a good amount of leafy greens, in any form.

It's good you went walking, do you just walk outside, like on a track or something? I ended up walking yesterday evening, I did find the steps a real challenge, and I could feel my heart beating fast. Which I think is a good thing.

You working in the day time now?

xxx

[StefT]

Hey Shelley anne, i'm still on nights, hoping to change next year. Without the card I only have healthy food when I turn to bad habits so thats better. Still I need to learn ways to manage my thoughts, to just relax without comfort indulging. I need to hit those motivation and hypnosis audio books and learn. 

I found a healthy ice cream recipe. Chop bananas, put them in a container in your freezer to harden. Put into a blender, add cocoa and vanilla essence, blend, thats it. Next weekend I also want to make a Thai pork spicy soup. I can freeze the soup into meals and kettle boil some vermicelli noodles for a quick meal. 

I'm glad you went for a walk and took the steps. Keep it up, I need to push it more and add in a few crunches and push ups to increase my metabolism.