Depression anyone?

[Ayaju]

Hi. Do you ever feel sort of depressed? Do you ever think it is from not getting enough carbs? I have been successfully TSPing for a month and loving it. My body and brain are trying to tell me that I may have cut back on carbos too much too fast. At least, that is my own hypothesis. I see on the chart page on page 260 Dr. S mentions increasing your carbos if this happens.

I don't think she meant eating a bunch of chocolate covered peanuts though. But I did today. It worked. It elevated my mood and my energy. I have not had sugar for nearly a month either.

Anyone have any thoughts/experience here?

Thanks,
Judy

[Karen]

I'm somewhat the opposite.

I don't normally get depressed but eating sugar or anything carby can make me feel depressed.

Sugar does elevate me for a brief period, but the crash is even worse than what led up to eating sugar in the first place. I literally get hangovers from it. Then on top of feeling depressed and crappy, I feel unbelievably stupid for doing it.

Karen

[DewTal]

Judy:

I do get bouts of the blues sometimes, but I'm not sure it's because of the carb content. I know Dr. S suggests upping the carbs but I found that simply having a snack of any kind helped. You might try that: have a snack with proteins/fats/veggies (how about carrots/cucumbers/red peppers with some kind of sour cream/cream cheese dip and some string cheese - sorry! I'm talking vegetarian here: add some meat slices if you like! :) I've heard people talk about spreading cream cheese on lunch slices and rolling it up into a snack. I may try it myself, with veggie slices of course!)

Someone suggested in another post (might have been LisaF?) to prepare platter-sized portions of veggies in advance and keep it in the fridge so you can just grab that.

Also, are you taking your vitamins regularly? I've never been a big pill popper so I only take a women's multivitamin and calcium supplement, but I think it helps.

I don't know what your eating schedule is but you might try to make sure you're eating every 3-4 hours. I've been playing around with that and even though I end up having a snack shortly before I leave work, i.e., about 4 p.m. (and push back dinner to about 7:30), I think it's helping to keep my energy/mood up.

I've begun to realize that low-carbing is very much an individual thing and the books are only a guide.

Good luck!

Tal

[mmoranmic]

Hi Judy,
I found you again! I'm your fellow San Diegan. Please give me your email address again or here'r mine mmoranmic~hotmail.com
RE: depression. I don't know what level of carbs you were eating before, as others have said maybe you're not eating enough. Maybe you are in an emotional sugar withdrawal (similar to nicotine withdrawal) or your hormones could be acting up. Do you walk or swim or exercise at all? For me, getting out and moving really helps with the blues.
I know that I am in a total life change right now (for the better) and I'm trying to take good care of myself. Gotta run, Maureen

[Ayaju]

Great replies folks!

Let's see, for me, I must be really addicted to carbs. I must have a low serotonin level due to poor eating habits. That's why when I am hit really hard with the blues, I grab for something potent - like chocolate covered peanuts. I found out that there are 23 carbos in 16 pieces. That is not too bad if you are going to cheat.
;)

When I tried Somersizing last year, I became suicidally depressed. Isn't that scary? I did not have a clue what was wrong with me. I thought I was losing my mind. Here I was eating so healthy I thought. It was Dr. S's book that clued me in to the low carb/depression factor.

Mostly I am feeling fine now. I just think that sometimes I need a little more carbs. I've started eating close to 15 grams for a snack now, instead of 7 1/2. I feel better.

Afterall, I do walk/run 2 miles five mornings a week. And I take amazing (expensive) supplements. It took me 3 years to perfect my supplement regimen. I did my research.

It is always a relief to come out of the blues quickly. I'd hate to get stuck back in depression again. Was there for a lot of years.

Thanks again,
Judy :)

[chewie1012]

Judy,

I think you answered your own question which is great. I really felt low yesterday. I think I was getting a little burned out frm being very busy and not getting enough sleep. When we changed the clocks for Daylight savings time I crashed every day for a week at about 6:00 pm. It was such an encouragement to me when a co worker said she was having the same problem. So I would ask yourself are you getting the right amount of rest. Has the weather been exceptionally bad. I guess living in San Diego the weather can't be the problem and the exercise is sufficient. My Pastor is always saying to set goals even little daily goals and accomplish them and you will feel really good about yourself and he is right. It works for me anyways. Best wishes to you and your plan!

[krayca]

I just started SP this week and I'm already depressed. I know I ate alot of refined carbs before this so maybe it was too drastic a change. I'm going to try some of the above suggestions and hope it clears up as quickly as it came on. I too had long term problems with depression but have been fine for the past couple of years. My doctor gave me gymnema (sp) which got me off of sugar a few months ago (no cravings yea :o) I do take a multi and good B-complex which is also helpful in maintaining the moods. Hang in there I know how tough depression can be.

Krayca

[suomichick]

I, too, suffer from depression. Boy does it suck!!!! :mad: I'm so new to this program that I can't offer anecdotal advice, just to let you know, Judy, that you're not alone. I'm still on meds for it (it's chronic) but I'm curious about how eating well will affect me. All of those processed foods that taste so good (or not!!) are terrible for mood stability. I hope to remain faithful to the program. I have moments of weakness but try to eat a snack to feel better. And I agree, rest is so key. Good luck and know you have company!!!!

[locarbvev]

Are you taking the supplements that Dr. S reccs for this? I know I suffer from depression and got on those supplements RIGHT AWAY...

It is a chemical thing! :(

[SunnyCal]

Yesterday was a very hard day for me. I have a bunch of stress related to friends' weddings this weekend, among other things, and I couldn't get over my desire for a chocolate croissant and a latte. These are things I used to eat to get me through the late-afternoon doldrums. After a while I realized that I'd never completed my on-the-run lunch, and had only eaten protein. I immediately had a piece of fruit and some veggies (I try to always eat a vegetable when I have my carbs), and the craving subsided to a dull throb. The psychological desire was still there, but I didn't feel overwhelmed. I could also feel that exercise (which I was not in a position to get) would have taken care of the rest of that craving.

So I guess the moral of that story is that I, too, have felt the low-carb pull of depression, and used carbs to come out of it. Just be sure to do it responsibly.

I think it would be good if you take another look at the book. It sounds like you were trying to eat the "inactive" level of carbs, when you are clearly semi-active, if not active. This means you should be having at least 15g of carbs 5 times a day, with up to 30g at main meals. If the 15-30g guideline still isn't enough, perhaps you are "active," and should be at the 30g minimum. Please, please don't limit yourself to 7.5g.

So upping your carbs is a good idea. But upping them with chocolate (and sugar!) covered peanuts may be defeating the purpose. The refined sugar and chocolate are both going to punish you when you come down off of them. May I suggest that you try a piece of fruit? Or if you're feeling less virtuous, then some sort of bread? And include some veggies so your blood sugar doesn't shoot up (and then plummet down!).