Correlation between types of diets and mental state of mind?

Castine12

I lived almost my entire life as an omnivore. Then 2 years ago, I was a pescatarian (vegetarian with exception of fish) for nearly a year. For the last 4 months, I've become a strict vegetarian. I was pretty good with providing myself with adequate nutrients meats provide, ie: iron, protein, etc. The thing about this new diet was I trying is that it made me sort of...depressed. Maybe there are some external sources of my mental state of mind. Also, I was diagnosed with depression as a teenager, so maybe becoming a vegetarian easily inflicted that.

Just yesterday, I visited my parents and my mom cooked a meaty dish. She knew I was vegetarian, but insisted that I try it. Since I've been extremely depressed lately, hence, me visiting my parents, I just decided to neglect my vegetarian diet commitment to go ahead and eat meat (also to just respect my mom's cooking). It just so happens, that after that first bite of eating meat, something strange happened. I was sort of happier.

What are your thoughts?

Vegetarian = depression?

I know the question sounds silly, but for me, it did.

KarenJanine

I've now been meat and fish free for four years. I haven't noticed any differences health-wise between now and all the years I was a meat eater.

There could possibly be a link though - have you had full blood work done? Low iron and low vitamin B12 could induce feelings of low energy, fatigue and low mood similar to that in depression. I take B12 and iron replacement (tablet form) as I have a tendency towards anaemia, but this was the case when I ate meat too.

neandermagnon

how much fat were you getting as a vegetarian? there have been studies that show a worsening of depression symptoms when there's a lack of healthy fat in the diet. One study even showed an increased risk of suicide from it.

I would hesitate to blame vegetarianism in itself, but it does make me wonder if something important was lacking from your diet when you were vegetarian. I'd guess that it was a lack of healthy fat.

Also, if you feel better eating meat, then eat meat. No point continuing with a diet if it's making you ill.

benol1

I lived almost my entire life as an omnivore. Then 2 years ago, I was a pescatarian (vegetarian with exception of fish) for nearly a year. For the last 4 months, I've become a strict vegetarian. I was pretty good with providing myself with adequate nutrients meats provide, ie: iron, protein, etc. The thing about this new diet was I trying is that it made me sort of...depressed. Maybe there are some external sources of my mental state of mind. Also, I was diagnosed with depression as a teenager, so maybe becoming a vegetarian easily inflicted that.

Just yesterday, I visited my parents and my mom cooked a meaty dish. She knew I was vegetarian, but insisted that I try it. Since I've been extremely depressed lately, hence, me visiting my parents, I just decided to neglect my vegetarian diet commitment to go ahead and eat meat (also to just respect my mom's cooking). It just so happens, that after that first bite of eating meat, something strange happened. I was sort of happier.

What are your thoughts?

Vegetarian = depression?

I know the question sounds silly, but for me, it did.

I am inclined to believe that the lift in your mood was probably more to do with association rather than anything else. Especially if your mood seemed to respond almost immediately. Smell and taste have a profound impact on our perceptions and the way we feel.
If you are really concerned that you are missing out - by all means get a blood test done. However, the science seems to indicate that those on a vegetarian or vegan diets do not miss out nutritionally unless they are not eating a healthy diet.
kind regards,

Ben

tomatini

Vegetarian = depression?

Well, I'm not a doctor, but based on my own experiences and knowledge I think the answer is no. A vegetarian diet does not necessarily equal depression, however certain nutritional deficiencies have been linked depression so if you're worried about it it's worth getting your blood levels checked by a doctor. B12 and iron deficiencies are of particular concerns to vegetarians, though it is possible to develop a deficiency in either of those things even on an omnivorous diet (because of poor dietary choices, poor absorption due to genetics etc.) D vitamin deficiency is another possible culprit, and is equally common in both vegetarians and meat-eaters, particularly in the winter months when you are less likely to synthesize it from sunlight. Another poster mentioned eating enough healthy fatsand something else thing to consider. There have also been studies showing that calorie and/or carb-restrictive diets are linked to depression. So in summary, depression may be linked to diet, but it has more to do with the specific foods you are choosing as opposed to whether you are eating a vegetarian diet or not.

You also mentioned that you had a history of depression in your teens... is it possible that there is something else that has been happening in your life recently that would be triggering these feelings? It may just be a coincidence. Something to consider.

Anyway, good luck to you whatever you end up doing.