Has anyone whose been on a low carb diet found that it helps with anxiety?

[Hieveryone]

I recently decided to treat carbs like cigarettes and just stay away.

Like no bread, pasta, or even potatoes or added sugar to anything.

I even limit fruit to 1 serving and milk to 1 cup

My diet is basically cauliflower rice, zucchini pasta, chicken, these weird "muffins" that are like ricotta, these special "pancakes" that are basically whey protein powder. Sometimes some peanuts, just basically stuff like that. I had 3 dates today though.

None of the traditional carbs we think about on the bottom of the food pyramid

I've honestly never looked better, and I'm not saying that to brag. I by no means have the perfect body, not even close.

But I've really burned a lot of fat off. I make sure to walk everyday and do as much resistance training as I can (which isn't much)

Now here's the kicker:

I don't have any anxiety. Things that used to irk me or make me nervous I am apathetic to. Like I just don't care about stuff like I used to. I'm overall much calmer as a result bc I simply don't give a crap about things like I used to. I had quit caffeine at one point but drink a lot of it again now but no issues at all.

I don't know if other people have similar experience or not, but just wanted to ask.

I did do a google search and it seems like keto can reduce anxiety- something about "GABA" but thought I'd try to get feedback from real people rather than just google

EDIT: I do eat a pizza once a week though and that's my only cheat meal

 

[AustinIllini]

As far as anxiety goes: if you eat like crap, you'll feel like crap.

Anything more than that is mostly speculation. Vegans claim health benefits as do Keto diets, paleo, Adkins, etc. The fact is, compared to a diet where you eat whatever you want without any management, most diets are going to show major health advantages.

 

[Hieveryone]

As far as anxiety goes: if you eat like crap, you'll feel like crap.

Anything more than that is mostly speculation. Vegans claim health benefits as do Keto diets, paleo, Adkins, etc. The fact is, compared to a diet where you eat whatever you want without any management, most diets are going to show major health advantages.

Gotcha. my hope is to make this a permanent thing.

My theory is that if I basically never eat carbs, just basically permanently cut it out from my diet, then I won’t gain weight.

I had some bad effects for the first week or two.

Like it was BAD. Super tired, extremely cranky, just in bad moods, just to name a few. But I figured it was from the lack of carbs and I was hoping i would adjust in time.

Now I am MUCH better. I feel much more normal than the initial period.

I do have insomnia though which seems to be new and it’s terrible.

I do drink a lot of Starbucks daily but today I completely cut it out.

I only had a Coke Zero which Doesn’t have too much caffeine imo.

So hopefully that helps the insomnia
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I’m not overweight at all but my Body type is “skinny fat”

basically I’m just soft. I did gain some weight but that weight is gone now

my goal is to tone up as much as possible.

Try to get some muscle definition and burn more fat

 

[Bballrob]

Low carb diet would give me great anxiety.

 

[Hieveryone]

Since the pandemic started I haven't eaten fast food. I've also cut out restaurant food as well.

I love it! I used to eat a lot of outside food before corona- once a day at least and often times twice.

Another thing I've done is completely cut out carbs. I treat them like cigarettes and just stay away.

The ONLY carbs and pre-made meal I eat is a frozen pizza once a week: either Amy's, digorno, freschetta, red Barrons, all good to me lol

My meals consist of eggs, chicken, vegetables, yogurt, fruit, nuts, salads, and that's about it. Occasionally steak.

I still haven't been able to give up Starbucks though. I spend over 5 bucks there daily on my coffee 🤷‍♂️

 

[velocityg4]

Right now I'm not eating any restaurant or fast food. Not that I went to restaurants much anyways. Before all this though. I did give up fast food for a few years. In part for weight loss and maintenance.

As I got into good eating habits and regular exercise. I started to eat out occasionally again at fast food joints. Keeping portions in control and watching my calories at them. I've been able to maintain my weight with allowing fast food back. So it works. I also try to make better choices there. Like chicken nuggets instead of fries. Wendy's is probably the best since I can get chicken nuggets and chili when going with others. Basically more protein and less carbs.

Although I wouldn't recommend you start going back to restaurants just yet. It takes quite a while to actually change your eating habits. You have to enjoy what you eat though or you'll never maintain a new diet long term. So experiment and see what you like eating regularly. Find good recipes too. Diet is the wrong term too. As being on a diet implies something you are doing temporarily. You're looking for a permanent change you enjoy.

The diet you list is about what mine consisted of. I allowed one starch per day and milk. Also a bowl of Breyer's ice cream. Measured of course. It's probably the best desert item. As it is 1/2 cup, making a decent sized snack, for only 100 calories. But I knocked off over 50 lbs in a year and hit my optimal weight. I also ran 21 miles per week and did yoga and calisthenics.

 

[dukebound85]

There are many who don't eat fast food pandemic or not

Why you feel the need to validate your decision here is another topic

 

[Pangalactic]

I think what really helps is not the diet, but the feeling that you have a plan and are moving closer towards your goal