[YorkieMom]

A member brought up a topic that I wondered if others were aware (because I really never thought of it) . . . . . the foods we eat having an effect on depression. I realized that before my husband and I started eating better - we both had hard times with our depression . . . . . when we started eating better, our moods drastically changed . . . . . recently I have been not so good with my diet, eating the sugary stuff and have noticed that "funk" feeling just on the edge of my thoughts . . . . . not noticeable to others, but to myself and my husband . . . . . so I had to stop eating that stuff (work in progress) . . . . but anyone else notice a change in their moods and behaviors related to what they may or may not eat?? Tried changing their diet to see a change in depression?? I never related the two, so i find this very interesting . . . . . thoughts??

I am doing my best to eat better. Nothing out of a box, tin, or frozen. Treats are fruits and vegetables. It is helping, as is the daily 60+ min walks I've been taking. I feel healthier but have noticed an improvement in my mood. More happy-go-lucky would describe it.

I am also interested in responses but I have a secondary idea in mind. $$$$$ I am on disability and this affects my food budget. Fortunately I don't live in a 'food desert' so I have better choice. Fresh produce is now crazy expensive and I really struggle. Rice and bean or lentils are eaten nearly every day.

We spoke about food a few support meetings back. Many on my same income do live in 'food deserts' and much of their food comes from convenience stores and dollar/discount stores. Others just simply don't know how to budget or stick to diet. So too there are some that simply never grew up eating well and just don't know how to eat properly. And then there are those that perhaps aren't as creative in making their food dollars stretch as far as possible. Some just can't win any way they try.

So I wonder then about those who are losing the struggle to eat well. Are they also seeing a connection between how they eat and their health.

[YorkieMom]

Its terrible, but so true, it is expensive to eat healthy. I take care of the elderly and when I go to the food banks, the food given out is usually in cans and in boxes (not much for nutrients there). justafriend306, just a thought, only because I have done this . . . . its just me and my husband, so sometimes it doesn't make sense to buy like for example a 5lb bag of potatoes (way to much for just 2 of us) so to save money - we would go halfsies with my neighbor . . . . . trade her half of the potatoes for half of the bag of oranges she bought - or she would just go halfsies with bulk items . . . . so nothing went to waste and we all saved money. Now she was dependable, so i would suggest only doing that with someone trustworthy, close family, close friends . . . . . . just an idea ; )
Unfortunately it is expensive to eat healthy . . . . .

[DayAtATime1]

My problem is that in my depressed state (over 3 yrs), I seldom have the motivation to eat healthy. It's just easier to have pizza, go to Burger King etc. I am lucky that money is not an issue at this time. My depression leads to negative thinking like "why go to the trouble of eating healthy - I'm going to be dead soon anyway". The same with exercise - it just seems futile. Intellectually I know healthy eating and exercise would likely improve my mood, but I'm in such a funk that I find it near impossible to do these things. Depression sucks!

[Ceara1010]

There's a thread right now over in the general mental health topics on foods and the effects on mood and any mental illness, good or bad.

So far, the main thing reported there is sugar. I'm not addicted to it, but I do have some sugar most days in the form of a desert of some kind after dinner.

I hear about this so much I'm going to try to go without sugar for two weeks and see what happens. I understand that, when trying to gage sugars effect on you, you should not even eat any fruit for two weeks--that will be challenging.

See what happens.....

--Ceara1010

[YorkieMom]

Originally Posted by Ceara1010

There's a thread right now over in the general mental health topics on foods and the effects on mood and any mental illness, good or bad.

So far, the main thing reported there is sugar. I'm not addicted to it, but I do have some sugar most days in the form of a desert of some kind after dinner.

I hear about this so much I'm going to try to go without sugar for two weeks and see what happens. I understand that, when trying to gage sugars effect on you, you should not even eat any fruit for two weeks--that will be challenging.

See what happens.....

--Ceara1010

Ceara . . . let us know how you feel with out the sugar, i am sure initially it will feel terrible . . . . . But there is something to that . . . . . I just don't think I am strong enough to last, i am sure I would cave . . . . . chocolate is a weakness for me . . . . . but I am curious to see how you feel!! Keep us posted!! : )

[YorkieMom]

Originally Posted by DayAtATime1

My problem is that in my depressed state (over 3 yrs), I seldom have the motivation to eat healthy. It's just easier to have pizza, go to Burger King etc. I am lucky that money is not an issue at this time. My depression leads to negative thinking like "why go to the trouble of eating healthy - I'm going to be dead soon anyway". The same with exercise - it just seems futile. Intellectually I know healthy eating and exercise would likely improve my mood, but I'm in such a funk that I find it near impossible to do these things. Depression sucks!

I was there, my husband was there . . . . . we ate out ALOT. But we started with little changes . . . . . and the fact that as I was eating a breakfast wrap at mcd's that had a pretty big piece of plastic in it . . . . was enough for me to quite eating fast food . . . . . I decided If i can't see how my food is made and whats in it . . . . I am not EATING it . . . . . and my husband and I kinda stuck with that. I am not a fan of finding things in my food that does not belong, so in a way, it was a blessing that day to chew down on that piece of plastic. My life changed that day. I started cooking at home, which led to feeling better, which led to my husband and I started walking.
Start small . . . . . small changes make huge differences!
Every day is a work in progress . . . . . ups and downs, set backs, but I always focus on where I was prior to where I am now . . . . . both my husband and I have come a long way! It can be done <3 It is possible : )

[little turtle]

one of the ways to keep track of your eating is to check the five numbers of the METABOLIC SYNDROME........weight/bp/fbg/hdl/trigly..........

[Fuzzybear]

[Clara22]

Originally Posted by YorkieMom

Ceara . . . let us know how you feel with out the sugar, i am sure initially it will feel terrible . . . . . But there is something to that . . . . . I just don't think I am strong enough to last, i am sure I would cave . . . . . chocolate is a weakness for me . . . . . but I am curious to see how you feel!! Keep us posted!! : )

Hi YorkieMom
You can eat dark chocolate, around 1 ounce daily. I think you made a great decision and if you fail you can always recommence, it is worthy and you deserve to feel better

[YorkieMom]

Originally Posted by little turtle

one of the ways to keep track of your eating is to check the five numbers of the METABOLIC SYNDROME........weight/bp/fbg/hdl/trigly..........

little turtle, would you mind expanding on this? Do you mean like regular dr check-ups with the #'s to those above? I feel silly for asking . . . . .

[YorkieMom]

Originally Posted by Clara22

Hi YorkieMom
You can eat dark chocolate, around 1 ounce daily. I think you made a great decision and if you fail you can always recommence, it is worthy and you deserve to feel better

Thanks so much Clara22!! 1 ounce . . . . well, like I said . . . . work in progress!! I will have to work on that!

[little turtle]

Originally Posted by YorkieMom

little turtle, would you mind expanding on this? Do you mean like regular dr check-ups with the #'s to those above? I feel silly for asking . . . . .

once I learned about metabolic syndrome I found out my numbers from my doctor....I wanted to watch them myself...doctors are very busy and tend not to look at the big picture....the persons that can take care of preventing chronic disease are the patients not the doctor...you can do your weight and blood pressure...that's a start...if your numbers are out of the norm you can start correcting this by healthy eating and exercise...

[mountainstream]

[YorkieMom]

Originally Posted by little turtle

once I learned about metabolic syndrome I found out my numbers from my doctor....I wanted to watch them myself...doctors are very busy and tend not to look at the big picture....the persons that can take care of preventing chronic disease are the patients not the doctor...you can do your weight and blood pressure...that's a start...if your numbers are out of the norm you can start correcting this by healthy eating and exercise...

Thank you so much little turtle for explaining!!