Cranky, Forgetful and Depressed: This Is The Low Carb Diet State of Mind

When I switched from my low carb diet to a healthy detox diet, I noticed an immediate boost in my moods and temperament. I felt calmer, less cranky, and more clearheaded and alert. My weight loss coach at the time explained that the switch resulted from the increased levels of a highly important brain chemical, serotonin. Insufficient levels of this chemical are involved in depression, sleeplessness, migraine, PMS and impulsive behaviour - including binge eating.

Nice, high levels of serotonin, by contrast, produce a state of comfort, calm and alertness.

Our bodies make serotonin from the amino acid known as tryptophan, which is present in whole grains, legumes, root vegetables, eggs, turkey and some dairy products. To manufacture this essential chemical, our brains also need plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as the essential fatty acids found in nuts and seeds. Garlic is also helpful in serotonin production.

I realised instantly that my low carb diet had been sadly lacking in some of the key nutritional elements needed to make serotonin.

That’s why I felt so cranky and low energy while I was on that diet! And why I feel so much better now.

Psychiatrists and mental health professionals are particularly concerned about the way that low carb diets restrict their patients’ serotonin levels. They are struck, as I now am, about the relationship between serotonin and weight gain, as well as the link between low levels of serotonin and addictive, impulsive and compulsive behaviour. Low levels of serotonin make it much harder to ‘just say no’, which could be a factor in binge eating. In addition, people whose serotonin levels are too low may find themselves ravenous for carbs and sweet foods in a misguided effort to medicate their nutritional imbalance.

The solution for such serotonin-starved dieters is not to eat the refined sugar and flour that they crave - that just produces a sugar high, followed by a sugar crash, as carb cravers know only too well. But it’s also no solution for the serotonin-deficient to unduly restrict their carb intake on a low carb diet plan, which may be setting them up for serious nutritional deficiencies, as well as mood disorders, migraines and other hormonal problems.

A Healthy Low Carb Diet

Instead, serotonin-deficient dieters would do much better with the healthy carbs found in root vegetables, whole grains and legumes along with their eggs, turkey and a modified intake of dairy products.

They also should make sure to get more fresh fruit, green leafy vegetables and garlic - precisely the Liver-Loving, Colon-Caring Foods recommend on a healthy detox diet.