Vegetarian Daily Diet

Does a low carb diet contribute to depression?

My husband and I have been on a very low carb diet since October of last year, and although we havce lost quite a bit, I have found my anti-depressants no longer seem to be working and I am more and more depressed. Could it be that I need more carbs? Is there a healthy eating plan alternative that I could still lose weight with?

Public Comments

1. Yes, though it is not a popular school of thought. If you're lacking sufficient carbs, you aren't making sugar, necessary for total and complete brain function, which includes releasing endorphins and serotonin.
2. Try eating a very diverse diet. Eat as many different colored fruits and vegetables as you can (not bread, rice or potatoes) carbs dont matter when they are in health foods as long as you dont eat them in excess. Then　EAT　SALMON , or just fish in　general the fats in the fish really do a lot to treat depression! Also, doing this plus exercising also really helps treat depression and your health overall. Ive cut bread out of my life and its done wonders for my health.
3. "Is there a healthy eating plan alternative that I could still lose weight with?" Yes. Your body is made to function consuming the foods that we have here on earth. Those foods are not just meats, we are omnivores and need vegetables and fruits. I am not sure what made you think about going low-carb in the first place, but I will tell you that you will be much happier and see permanent results with a sensible diet and exercise plan. Remember, even super big bodybuilders only go low-carb RIGHT before a competition...even though muscle is built with protein, these guys know that they need carbohydrates as well. Because you are used to not eating a lot of carbs, I will recommend something that's known as the "caveman diet." It's not a fad diet, but merely a turn back in time, where you'll only eat meat, vegetables, legumes (beans), nuts, and fruits. Basically, how our ancestors ate, because that's how our bodies are designed to work in the first place. Eat 5-6 small meals a day, and include your lean protein and natural carb in each meal. I will tell you that your weight will probably go up right at first because of the diet you are currently on. This is not because carbs are bad, but because your body has "forgotten" how to process them properly. To help minimize this, add small amounts of carbs, then increase the amount each week. This will give your body time to get used to it. i would start with about...30-40g of carbohydrates a day for the first week, and go from there. You must be exercising as well to help your body get in shape...diet isn't everything. Additionally, the exercise will naturally boost your mood.