scenariste Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 I saw quite a few posts about how Whole30 has helped their depression, but I'm actually having the opposite problem. I'm 16 days into my second Whole30 (the first was last October) my cravings are totally under control, but I'm not sleeping well, and am depressed. I'm also getting almost daily headaches. Depression is something I've struggled with on and off before, but was feeling fine before I started. I'm following the rules as perfectly as possible, getting exercise, and going to bed at a reasonable time, but I feel very sad and withdrawn. I haven't cheated or stopped, but I have considered it repeatedly and didn't even think about it the first time. There have been no other changes in my life aside from exercising more (in the mornings). Stress level is always on the high side, but has remained constant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrayS Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 What's your food intake like? I've noticed that my energy/mood takes a turn if I don't get enough starchy vegetables with my meals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scenariste Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 I think it's actually pretty good. I learned a lot from the first round about what I needed to keep my energy up. I'm not hungry at all and feel fine other than the headaches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny M Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 can we see a sample menu? Are you getting enough fats? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scenariste Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Sure. A typical breakfast is an egg cup (egg, ground turkey, kale, mushrooms, and red pepper) with either some sweet potato and avocado (post-heavy workout) or just avocado. Lunch is a big green salad with a chicken thigh, lots of raw veggies, and salad dressing made with olive oil mayo. About twice a week, I sub some other protein like tuna or turkey. I also usually have a piece of fruit at lunch. Dinner is usually something like mixed veggies cooked in coconut oil (about a teaspoon) with some lean protein like ground beef, chicken, or salmon. Other common dinners are coconut milk curry over chicken and veggies or a bun-less burger with baked sweet potato fries (coated in coconut oil). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirsteen Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 I'd certainly say your dinner looks low in fat. If I was having lean protein, I'd want more than just 1 teaspoonful of coconut oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emily Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 I've been struggling with depressed feelings this W30 too and I think for me it has a lot to do with getting enough sleep. I see that you say you aren't sleeping well; do you have ways you know of to improve that? For me feeling down seems to be connected to getting less than eight hours of sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scenariste Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 My sleep is TERRIBLE. I don't know which one is the symptom and which is the cause, though. Regarding fats at dinnertime, what would help up the fat intake without significantly upping the amount of food? I typically don't have a really big appetite at dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee Lee Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Vitamin D? It's that time of year when nobody gets sun, especially folks in the north. (Bostonians can't make vit D from sept to April) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scenariste Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Vitamin D is a good thought. I'm in the Pacific NW where we don't see sun between September and July. I've take it as a prescription before. It might be time to look at that again. Although, I do eat a fair amount of salmon and eggs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLC1968 Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 I'm in the PNW too and I also had a bout of 'depresssion' during the middle of my Whole30 (I'm on day 33 now). I put in quotes because I've never been diagonosed or had any issues with it before this Whole30. My last Whole30 was last June/July, so it may be a daylight thing. Just last night, I found out that my Vit D levels were low on day 14 (the day I had blood drawn) so that really might be the case for you as well. I can't tell you to get out into the sun , but you may want to talk to your doctor about supplements again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scenariste Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 Maybe a good excuse for a sunny weekend away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillian Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 I'd add a sweet potato to your dinner - embrace the starchy veg! For real, starchy vegetables play a big role in production of serotonin. Your blood sugar level may be too low - when mine is too low I have headaches and feel completely depressed and withdrawn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michaela Elmore Cogswell Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 I noticed the other day that my mushrooms from Costco claim to be high in vitamin D. Apparently if you put them in some UV light, they will soak it up. If you like mushrooms, look for that info.... can't hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scenariste Posted February 4, 2013 Author Share Posted February 4, 2013 I love my sweet potatoes, so you don't have to tell me twice to have more. I also love mushrooms and have noticed the same claim. I'll take a look. Thanks, all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.