Hi everyone,

Is anyone else experiencing mood swings & feeling depressed since going on Atkins induction?

I am loving the diet & am losing weight. But I feel myself craving sugar sometimes, and then actually cried last night because I couldn't have any!!! Not like me.

Any supplements helpful for that?

Thanks,

Well, it's been a while since I was on induction and I was lucky to have the full support of my husband (we threw out all the danger foods). I do remember eating SF jello and whipped cream as SOON as we were off induction though!! I would feel deprived if I didn't allow myself a small sweet treat (no real sugar though) every other day or so....so I allow it!! What's the trade off? Perhaps my weight loss is a little slower....but I'm happier!!

I don't think that LCing is causing your depression. I think you're just feeling a little deprived. It may be the carb withdrawal making you a little cranky and sad, too. Just remember that once you get into OWL you'll be able to expand your food choices and things will get better!! I promise!!

Maybe if you read my post about "Making the Mental Shift", it will help you. Here's the link.

As for supplements, I believe Atkins recommends L-Glutamine for cravings.

The only time I get mood swings is when TOM visits and that's even better than it used to be when my blood sugar was out of control. I could get downright mean then. Sounds more like carb withdrawal which will likely pass in a few days. Hang in there!

I think a lot of it has to do with seratonin and beta endorphin, the stuff that tells your brain to make you "feel good". I notice in a lot of newbie's posts that they have trouble getting through induction, and I think that the drastic reduction in carbs - which a lot of us are dependent on for the "feel good" brain activity is what makes it so difficult. Your brain will start screaming for carbs to get those levels up and that causes cravings and causes some to "fall off the wagon". So, you have to replace the carbs with other stuff that will stimulate seratonin and beta-endorphin. Excercise, meditating, stopping to "smell the roses", really enjoying yourself and appreciating the good things in your life all help.

A supplement that's helpful in the treatment of cravings is L-Glutamine. Here is the scoop...

-a non-essential amino acid
-one of two primary energy providers that burn glycogen to provide fuel for the brain
-protein building block - supplies the brain with energy and nourishment for healthy brain function.
-enhances mental alertness, learning processes and is also required by the brain as a neurotransmitter
-necessary for burning glycogen, a principle fuel for the brain and also for stimulating a variety of neuro-functions
-onsidered beneficial for reducing sugar and alcohol cravings
-reduces pain and alleviates fatigue caused by poor metabolism
-naturally produced by the liver and kidneys
-additional supplementation may be beneficial in the treatment of alcoholism, reducing cravings and mental degeneration
-may be used to help treat colitis, dizziness, ulcers, motion sickness, hypertension, ear infection and sore throat

There you have it!

Karen

Hi Josiehands,
What helped me with the sugar cravings was drinking a glass of
greentea. I drank it cold with lemon and stevia. It really worked.
I would drink up to 3 glasses a day.
greentea