Eating Right - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Contrary · 05-22-2004, 08:53 PM

I am depressed, and i have been for over a year, and i haven't been able to / lack the will to try and find solutions to my problem, but reading the depression thread below made me start thinking. I realized that i have an absolutely horrible diet, and i want to start eating right to see if it will help with my problem.
Basically, i'm health food illiterate, i dont know what certain things my body needs, or whats the best food to get them from, or how much of it i need. I was hoping maybe i can describe a little about my eating habits and my body type, and maybe someone can help me out with what i should be eating and how much and how often and such, im the kind of person that if i dont have a plan, i can get side tracked really easy.
I'm a 115 lb guy, 18 yrs old, been between 90-115 lbs all through middleschool and highschool, i have a very fast metabolism. It seems whatever i eat just goes out the other end and doesnt do anything to me at all. I can eat candy and junk food all day if i wanted, and i wouldnt gain a pound, though i dont do that often.
My eating habits are derived from what kind of mood i am in at that particular time, most of the time im kind of down w/ hopeless feelings, constant throughout the day but just enough to notice, ive just gotten used to being a cranky asshat i guess, even though i know thats not really how i'd like to be. When i'm hungry and i feel like that, nothing ever looks good to eat, so most of the time i just dont eat at all, which im sure isnt very good on my body. When i do eat, its crap microwave stuff that i can throw together in a few minutes, if its to hard to make and im in a depressed mood i usually just dont eat, however i believe i will have more persistance if i have a plan to follow food wise. Also, i have hypoglycemia (sp?) and i often get light headed and weak throughout the day if i don't eat when im supposed to, which complicates things more, because if im in a depressed mood and i don't eat when i should, then i get even worse because i feel physically sick to boot with my mental sickness. To go throughout the whole day without getting a headache or feeling weak i have to eat at least 5 small meals a day, a few hours apart or so.
I suppose thats enough description, it'd be great if i can get anyones input on what i should be eating, knowledge about what nutrients i should be looking for, and how much of each i should be eating per day, heck, i know this is a big wish list, but i need to put together some sort of plan that i can just stick to every day or it wont work. I really think this will help me a lot with my depression, i run and exercise all the time, and im into martial arts and fitness, but those don't do it for me. I'd be looking for foods that'd satisfy my hypoglycemia, allow me to build muscle, and make my body healthy so hopefully my mind will follow, thanks all, any comments greatly appreciated!

WarWagon · 05-22-2004, 09:01 PM

The absolute best thing you could do is see the doctor. They can check your blood sugar levels, BMI, and consult a nutritionist to set you up on the diet that suits you best. Actually having someone work with you and giving you an "official" plan for eating right can be motivational in itself, and they can also give you realistic ideas as to the results you can expect to see.

Contrary · 05-22-2004, 09:14 PM

Would i just go to the regular family doctor for that? Also, i've been reading that the amount of sleep i get can contribute to depression, ive found that if i get 7-9 hours of sleep like ive been told, im actually even more tired and cranky than if i get something like 4 or 5 hours of sleep, any ideas? Thanks!

apeman · 05-23-2004, 03:01 AM

it does make a difference what you eat, though I'd start with a doctor too

people sleep different amounts, find out what works for you.

exercise and a decent diet is a good start, if that doesn't help see the doc

WarWagon · 05-23-2004, 03:18 AM

It is important to get your target amount of sleep, which is different for everyone. I'm the same way that you describe, but a VERY important thing to do in order to not be cranky after a long day of sleep is exercise. I cannot emphasize this enough, even if it may seem counterproductive to putting on weight.

05-22-2004, 08:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Contrary Upright	Eating Right I am depressed, and i have been for over a year, and i haven't been able to / lack the will to try and find solutions to my problem, but reading the depression thread below made me start thinking. I realized that i have an absolutely horrible diet, and i want to start eating right to see if it will help with my problem. Basically, i'm health food illiterate, i dont know what certain things my body needs, or whats the best food to get them from, or how much of it i need. I was hoping maybe i can describe a little about my eating habits and my body type, and maybe someone can help me out with what i should be eating and how much and how often and such, im the kind of person that if i dont have a plan, i can get side tracked really easy. I'm a 115 lb guy, 18 yrs old, been between 90-115 lbs all through middleschool and highschool, i have a very fast metabolism. It seems whatever i eat just goes out the other end and doesnt do anything to me at all. I can eat candy and junk food all day if i wanted, and i wouldnt gain a pound, though i dont do that often. My eating habits are derived from what kind of mood i am in at that particular time, most of the time im kind of down w/ hopeless feelings, constant throughout the day but just enough to notice, ive just gotten used to being a cranky asshat i guess, even though i know thats not really how i'd like to be. When i'm hungry and i feel like that, nothing ever looks good to eat, so most of the time i just dont eat at all, which im sure isnt very good on my body. When i do eat, its crap microwave stuff that i can throw together in a few minutes, if its to hard to make and im in a depressed mood i usually just dont eat, however i believe i will have more persistance if i have a plan to follow food wise. Also, i have hypoglycemia (sp?) and i often get light headed and weak throughout the day if i don't eat when im supposed to, which complicates things more, because if im in a depressed mood and i don't eat when i should, then i get even worse because i feel physically sick to boot with my mental sickness. To go throughout the whole day without getting a headache or feeling weak i have to eat at least 5 small meals a day, a few hours apart or so. I suppose thats enough description, it'd be great if i can get anyones input on what i should be eating, knowledge about what nutrients i should be looking for, and how much of each i should be eating per day, heck, i know this is a big wish list, but i need to put together some sort of plan that i can just stick to every day or it wont work. I really think this will help me a lot with my depression, i run and exercise all the time, and im into martial arts and fitness, but those don't do it for me. I'd be looking for foods that'd satisfy my hypoglycemia, allow me to build muscle, and make my body healthy so hopefully my mind will follow, thanks all, any comments greatly appreciated!

05-23-2004, 03:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
apeman Wah Location: NZ	it does make a difference what you eat, though I'd start with a doctor too people sleep different amounts, find out what works for you. exercise and a decent diet is a good start, if that doesn't help see the doc __________________ pain is inevitable but misery is optional - stick a geranium in your hat and be happy

05-22-2004, 09:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	The absolute best thing you could do is see the doctor. They can check your blood sugar levels, BMI, and consult a nutritionist to set you up on the diet that suits you best. Actually having someone work with you and giving you an "official" plan for eating right can be motivational in itself, and they can also give you realistic ideas as to the results you can expect to see.

05-22-2004, 09:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Contrary Upright	Would i just go to the regular family doctor for that? Also, i've been reading that the amount of sleep i get can contribute to depression, ive found that if i get 7-9 hours of sleep like ive been told, im actually even more tired and cranky than if i get something like 4 or 5 hours of sleep, any ideas? Thanks!

05-23-2004, 03:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	It is important to get your target amount of sleep, which is different for everyone. I'm the same way that you describe, but a VERY important thing to do in order to not be cranky after a long day of sleep is exercise. I cannot emphasize this enough, even if it may seem counterproductive to putting on weight.