Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and hope you guys can help shed some light on a problem I'm experiencing. Over the past six months I've gradually cut out processed foods (most of it baked goods, ice cream, and pasta), and over the past month or so I've adopted a completely plant-based diet consisting of mostly vegetables, some fruit, and legumes/nuts/seeds for protein. Physically I'm feeling better than I ever have, and I'm not missing or craving any of the foods I've cut out at all. This is huge, because I've suffered from severe food cravings since puberty. I've started to lose weight at the rate of 1-2 pounds per week; my goal is to lose 25-30 pounds.

I should be happy, right? But for the past two weeks I've been extremely sad and crying a lot (in private) for no apparent reason. I'm a professional woman in my early 30s and usually calm and optimistic and have my act together. I'm going through some changes at work, but none of them are negative. I'm not having any serious family, financial, or relationship problems.

Have any of you experienced this, and do you know why it's happening? Can the transition to a clean diet cause hormonal fluctuations which in turn cause depression? I have hypothyroidism and mild PCOS, both managed pretty well so far with Synthroid and BCP, respectively, but I am sensitive to hormonal changes. Like I said, I'm not craving any of the foods I've given up, so the sadness is not about deprivation.

I personally think there are 2 things at play here:

1. It's not about deprivation, but the type of foods you gave up are usually the type of foods we turn to for comfort, to fill voids, to cheer us up, to make us "happy". Because you gave up these foods your emotions are probably surging up and coming to light now because you are not stuffing them down with those type of foods.

Your body is free and clean of junk and now your mind and heart want to be free and clean of "junk". Perhaps feelings and emotions you have been storing inside for a long time?

2. I would also agree with hormone fluctuations. I started weight watchers at the end of October and since then, every single month my period has been weird or different. I was always a 28-day cycle type of girl, right on the dot, never late, never early. One month I was 5 days late (wtf??) and the next month I was 5 days early (???) and who knows what this month will bring. I know it's due to my diet. I think it's almost fascinating how diet could change hormones like that!

Thank you, BreathingSpace, your explanation makes sense. I hope my body adjusts soon and I can go back to my usual self.

I would also throw in here that most of the processed foods contain extremely addictive chemicals, and loads of added sugar, salt and fake sugar. When your system is deprived of those, there can be withdrawal.

But it does go away... I've been eating this way for the past 7 mos or so and feel every so much better and more energetic. But you say you have been doing it for six months so that adjustment should have kicked in I would think... but you did say gradually... Anyway, it is just a thought and maybe off base since you have been doing it for so long.

Misti, while I'd been gradually cutting out sweet baked goods, I was still eating a fair amount of bread, as well as rice and potatoes, a lot of sweet fruit (e.g. grapes), plus dairy (lots of cheese) and eggs. But when I went "radically" clean a month ago, I essentially eliminated all grains and starchy vegetables, and limited my fruit intake to three servings a day.

Today I cried again for no particular reason until I had no tears left. So far I've been able to hide my sadness, but I'm worried that soon I'll break down in front of my family, friends, or, heaven forbid, coworkers.

I'm not an expert, but when I cut out carbs/grains (in favor of fruit, veg, and nuts), I did notice a change in my mood. I didn't feel as hungry (the protein in the nuts satisfied me), but I had low energy, and this left me feeling sad more frequently. Since adding whole grains to my diet (steel cut oats, whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, quinoa), I've had more energy without the 'sugar rush' of refined carbs (white bread, sugary sweets). Also, eating all those nuts actually made me gain weight instead of losing it.

I don't know if this would help. It's possible the cause lies outside of diet. I recently began taking vitamin D every day, and this helped my mood.

Also try B vitamins. I take B12 it is a natural relaxer.

I started eating clean in June 2012 and although I'm still eating meat, I went through serious carb withdrawal. I had headaches every day for over 2 weeks and my energy was non-existent. I feel perfectly normal now though.

Thank you, everyone! Vitamin D and B12 deficiency might be the cause - my last bloodwork showed deficiencies for both, but I haven't been diligent with taking supplements. I can't take anything with breakfast because of the Synthroid, and during lunch and dinner I often forget. I'll make an effort to take the supplements every day and hopefully it'll lift the clouds.

And can I just say, I'm mightily impressed with the respective amounts of weight you ladies have lost.

Niacin (a B vitamin) worked very well for me. Beware of Niacin flushes though! I would do a search for Niacin and depression, and Niacin flush.

Good luck!

Thanks, coffeeshopgirl, I'll give Niacin a try!

Oh yes absolutely low D and B-12 will mess with your moods, start taking them daily. You can get good quality sublingual B-12 at any health food store or online. Also you may want to experiment with incorporating a bit higher carb veggies such as sweet potato (considered by some to be THE most nutritious veggie), brown rice, whatever and keep the good fats UP.
Myself i notice when i have my "free" day every week (i eat whatever i what, how much i want) that i don't necessarily have a better mood but i have more energy to exercise)

Good luck!

I suffer from major depression, and I found that when I was iron deficient and b12 deficient, it got a lot worse. Red meat really helped me feel better as well as other meat and eggs. Would you be willing to reintroduce those foods back in your diet? If you've cut them out for ethical reasons, you could also try eggs that have been ethically produced.

If not, I agree with everyone else. Start being strict with your supplements as well as getting some sunlight. You could also try nutritional yeast, I've heard it's a really good source of B12 for vegetarians.

Update: I've been taking the vitamin D and B-12 supplements almost every day since it's been suggested here, and my mood has been much better. I haven't cried in a week. Not even this morning when the scale showed a 2-pound gain from last week, despite continued healthy eating.

AmyAmy, I haven't eaten red meat since I was 15. It's not for ethical reasons, I just cannot stand it. I have started taking an iron supplement though along with the D and B12, as I was also borderline anaemic. BTW I love your trampoline-bouncing emoticon!