Hello
I have been on a diet for a month now and have lost 6Lbs. Ive managed to cut out alcohol and refined carbs. Whilst I am pleased about this something strange has happened. For the last week Ive had a horribly low mood. Its not like being sad. I feel really depressed and lethargic. Nothing else has changed in my life. Can restricting ones diet affect mood in this way? Has anyone else had a similar experience?
You maybe are having Sugar withdrawal. If so then hang in there. Just a bit longer and you will be ok. Whatever diet you are on may also affect you. Ask your doctor for a comprehensive blood test and see what is missing.
Hi Africa,
I can't really add to the responses that you've already been given, except to say that I hope you'll feel better as time goes on. It's likely to be symptoms of withdrawal, and also I think that food and our mood can be psychologically intertwined and related - i.e. people often give sugary 'treats' to 'reward' or 'treat' etc, but infact it can fuel an addictive dependency on those sugary things, so you're faced now with likely sugar withdrawal symptoms, plus the 'comfort' aspect that the particular food might have also 'fed' has been removed. However, with time, you should get through this.
I think it's important to have a range of nutrients daily, and ensure you eat healthy foods to provide for your bodies daily requirements.
If you take a look at the NHS 12 week plan, it has some good advice and information - you can access it via the icon at the top middle of the screen (entitled "Weight Loss NHS") - I think it is really good.
Congratulations on losing 6 pounds in a month as well, that is really good progress. We have a Monday group weigh-in session if you are interested in joining us for that. You can see a link to last Monday's session in the 'Events' section (top right hand side of the home-page) - or you could just look at my profile (Lowcal) and you'd see all the previous posts which are all dated.
You'd be very welcome to join us, if you liked the idea of being part of a weekly weigh-in group. I appreciate it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it is a supportive and enthusiastic group of people, all on a weight loss journey.
Hope you begin to feel better really soon and hope you have a good weekend. It's nearly here!
Lowcal 
Well done on cutting out alcohol and refined carbs, but cutting them out can definitely affect your mood.
Make sure that you are eating enough high fibre carbs like sweet potatoes, brown rice, oats, legumes, as well as drinking enough water.
Hope you feel better soon.
Hi - poor you because it sounds really tough right now. The advice the others have given you is spot on - tough it out, eat high quality foods and drink enough and you should hopefully start to feel a lot better.
From experience, you might also find one of hte following useful: trying to meditate or some simple breathing exercises or gentle stretches or a walk in the park.
best of luck
As others have said withdrawals can dfo that.
Also be wary of cutting out too many carbs.
Its fairly well documented that people who go for an atkins style diet where carbs are basically banned will experience the kind of moods you describe. We need SOME carbs to maintain our body function
I have switched to lchf eating, my mood has improved so much that I have been able to reduce, slightly, my anti-depressants. I have rediscovered flavours that I had forgotten. I feel much more positive about myself, to the extent that my therapist is also looking at lchf!
What's ichf ?
Low carb, high fat, I just Googled it as I didn't know either. I think it means cutting down as much as possible sugars and starches. Interesting.
Stopped losing weight
Losing weight slower
Losing weight and losing the battle
