High-Carb Diets Improve Mood (February 2010)

There seems to always be the controversy regarding a high carb diet or a high protein diet for weight loss. I don’t believe in diets, rather than helping my clients change their relationship with food.

I can’t deny research studies that come out, so I thought this months article would be about a study that was out a few months ago.

Australian researchers have concluded that people who were on low carb diets were in worse moods. The high carb diet and high protein diet both lost an average of 30 pounds, which was slightly more than in studies of this type. Maintaining the low carb diet seemed to be a problem long term, which caused a change in one’s mood.

It is speculated that mood change could be biological (makes sense to me-they are lacking energy). A low carb diet can cause a drop in levels of the brain chemical serotonin. Low serotonin levels are linked to depression.

It also seems likely if one is depressed they can gain they weight back and emotionally overeat.

The bottom line is high carb diets are better for one’s mood and it is better to not diet and learn how to eat when we are hungry and stop when we have had enough with honoring what we are in the mood for.

Source: LA Times November 10, 2009