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THERESA: Another reason to enjoy a bagel now and then: a low-carb diet can be hazardous to your mood.
The Chicago Tribune reports that protein overload can leave women feeling grumpy, depressed and even contribute to bad hair days. Cutting carbs does a number on seratonin levels which help to keep us on an even keel. The story states: "Carbs are rich in B vitamins, which are important for skin, hair, eyes and liver and help normalize appetite and digestive processes and work to make neuro transmitters, keeping your brain and the rest of your nervous system healthy.
'When you get rid of a good source of B vitamins, it could affect the way you cope with stress,' says registered dietitian Dawn Jackson, an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman at Northwestern Wellness Institute in Chicago.
Laurie Kaplan, 20, of Washington Township, N.J., lasted little more than a week on her low-carb plan. It affected her mood, energy level and all-around health.
"I did get horrible mood swings and found that everything irritated me, and I am usually somewhat patient," she says. "I felt like I had horrible PMS."
A couple years ago when I tried to cut out carbs for a few weeks, I felt like I was climbing the walls with stress. It definitely altered my mood. Anyone else had a similar experience?
JILL: I recently read the same thing about what was called "Atkins attitude," people on low-carb diets who were cranky all the time. More confirmation that these extreme diets can do more harm than good. I'd rather be cheerful and a little chubby rather than skinny and snarling. Moderation in all things is the best way to go, and that includes a little pasta and a bagel now and then. (And chocolate every day needless to say.)
LAURIE: I agree, Jill. I'm thinking back about my forced low-carb diet of a few months recently because of my jaw problem, and it's hard to say whether I was grumpy more because of all the pain or because I couldn't eat bagels! I am still unable to eat bagels but not in as much pain so less grumpy.
But I, too, believe in moderation as the best route. Including moderation in how you expect to look.
WENDY: Oh, heck yes! There is a REASON that we want to bury ourselves in cake when we are stressed out! I really wish Americans could own up to what eons of evolution have taught: A balanced diet, as low as possible on processed stuff, is what's good for you. And a treat every now and then won't kill you. Moderation! Yay!
Also, did anyone see the story about Atkins and South Beach diets being a very expensive way to eat -- about $20 more per week than the average American grocery bill? I will try to find it and post...
JILL: Not to mention the whole new industry of low-carb foods that have come out that are so ridiculously expensive. I bought low-carb pasta for my husband that was astronomical but I thought he'd enjoy it. I felt like a totally gullible American paying so much money for a box of spaghetti. Worst of all, it was inedible. It tasted like boiled strips of medical gauze. We dumped it. How stupid are we to buy into this silly stuff when all we have to do is eat less and exercise more to maintain our weight? But then, you can't build a multi-gazillion-dollar industry on common sense.
THERESA: Well, that gets into a whole separate issue-- the fact that much of the cheapest food in our society tends to be the most unhealthy. And unfortunately, people on the low-end of the income scale tend to be at especially high risk for obesity and resulting health problems, such as diabetes. It does tend to cost more to buy fresh ingredients, and a balance of vitamin-packed, healthy food, even if you're not opting for a low-carb diet.
KIMBERLY: Carbohydrates are the bodies preferred fuel and 50 to 60 percent of our calories should come from carbohydrates. That is complex carbs from fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole foods. Five to nine servings of fresh vegetables and fresh fruits should be the goal in addition to grains, nuts, beans, and other lean protein sources. Bagels are not the best choice because bagels are highly processed with little nutrition but high in calories. The average bagel these days has about 500-600 calories and that's plain before you put on cream cheese or what ever your favorite spread is. Get more for less by eating more locally produced produce and whole foods.
YVONNE W: I don't cook, so most of my food choices are made from what is the most convenient for me. However, I don't eat in fast food restaurants. I went into a McDonald's two years ago and didn't know how to order (I won't eat fried foods). I've since learned to order fish and a salad.
A friend took me to lunch on Mothers Day and he had eggs, home fries, bacon, toast etc. I had an egg white omelette with mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, and cheese and a bowl of fruit. I use to be very conscious of fat and calories in my meals, now I pay close attention the amount of carbs. I still eat too much, but I try to eliminate my carbs, especially after 3 or 4 p.m.
I was thinking about trying the South Beach Diet, just added it to my "FAVORITES".
I tried the South Beach diet and didn't lose an ounce. I think it's great for people who eat lots of carbs. But for people like us, Yvonne, who already limit our carbs and watch our diets carefully, I don't think it has much to offer. (Ok, maybe it was the 9 billion almonds I ate over and above the limit of 15, but still.....)
Posted by: Jill on May 13, 2004 11:12 AMSounds like more evidence to me that this low carb-thing is overrated.
Posted by: Jenice on May 13, 2004 11:45 AMSomething else to consider in the news today:
Low-Carb Diets Can Cause Bad Breath
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=97&ncid=751&e=6&u=/hsn/20040513/hl_hsn/lowcarbdietscancausebadbreath
The whole low-carb craze has gotten such a bad name. It should be called low-sugar, because that's all it is. Atkins and, especially, South Beack, only cut back on total carbs the first few weeks. After that, you can have carbs, but the good kind that Kimberly mentioned.
It is a great diet for those of us who do overdo it and make bad choices. Muffins in the morning, candy at 3 p.m. etc. Of course, I have more weight to lose than most of you. :)
I eat the whole wheat pasta (not the specially formulated low-carb stuff) and I find it to be very tasty. Same with brown rice. But that's me.
As far as fatigue and depression, that's for real. I had to go off the diet when I was training for my half-marathon. These days, I take an extra 100 mils of B-complex, and that helps me a lot.
Thanks for the link, Vance. The solutions to the bad breath sound pretty reasonable. We're supposed to be drinking lots of water anyway! I've pasted them below:
Drink plenty of water to wash away germs in the mouth.
Chew sugarless gum or parsley.
Keep a toothbrush handy and brush after every meal.
And if the bad breath persists, see a doctor. Halitosis can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as diabetes.
I am on the South Beach Diet - my mood has never been better and my energy level is incredible. I always believed I suffered from chronic fatigue, but as it turns out, I suffered from chronic sugar overload.
Yes, eating this way is way more expensive and yes, pounds are not melting away as rapidly as is promised, but I have lost some weight, but more importantly, I now have the energy to work out. Before this, I could barely lift my fork at dinner, let alone lift a leg to take a walk because of extreme fatigue.
The other bonus is that I now pay attention to what I am eating and I do not have urges to snack on bad stuff. For my sweet tooth, sugar free jello or a no sugar added fudgscicle is all I need!
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