Blissed Out Feeling - Is it the protein?

MrsJS5
MrsJS5 Posts: 41 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I just started lifting heavier weights and with that started eating more frequent meals and eating protein at every meal (egg whites, chicken, turkey, etc...). I have been doing this for about two weeks now and I have noticed that I feel really content emotionally. I never had ups and downs but now I'm just really content all day. I have no cravings at all - I've made two batches of cookies for my kids and no cravings and the family ate french fries in front of me (a favorite) and no cravings.

I normally eat a really healthy diet - lots of veggies, fruits, whole foods - and I generally have eaten 4-5 meals/snacks a day so that's not it. My big change has been the added protein.

Anyone else experience this?

Replies

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    What did you replace when you added the protein?:smile:
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    What did you replace when you added the protein?:smile:

    Objection.

    Attempt to lead the witness.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    What did you replace when you added the protein?:smile:

    Objection.

    Attempt to lead the witness.

    Over-ruled....

    Answer the question OP...
  • MrsJS5
    MrsJS5 Posts: 41 Member
    I just added protein to what I was normally eating. In the morning I always have oatmeal with flax and raspberries. I cut down the oatmeal portion size and added 4 scrambled egg whites. For snack I would normally eat a protein bar of some sort (because it's easy to eat in front of students as they are coming into class) and now I'm eating chicken or turkey and some veggie. For lunch I always used to have tofu, brown rice and veggies with a little teriyaki sauce. The tofu portion was smallish. Now I have baked chicken (3.5 oz.), veggies and 1/2 cup of brown rice - no sauce. etc.. through the day.

    I have probably dropped my calorie count by about 200 kcals per day and exchanged more vegetarian protein for animal protein. Although I was not vegetarian - I would eat chicken every other day or so.
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Serious answer: I think that your exercise regime, and to some degree your diet, has helped level out your mood for a number of reasons (release of serotonin, endorphins, stable blood sugar levels.)

    This is really one of the best benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle: good mood.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Serious answer: I think that your exercise regime, and to some degree your diet, has helped level out your mood for a number of reasons (release of serotonin, endorphins, stable blood sugar levels.)

    This is really one of the best benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle: good mood.
    I agree, I'd also note that each time she upped the protein, a carb was reduced. Maybe she's found her own personal sweet spot. Her perfect balance between carbs and protein to HELP level her blood sugars etc.

    Dunno. OP: whatever you're doing, keep doing it!
  • CulturedCowgurl
    CulturedCowgurl Posts: 136 Member
    Cutting down on the oatmeal may have helped. I dunno what it is about oatmeal but when I eat it with or without sugar it goes straight to my head with a feeling of some sort of Dysphoria. I love oatmeal but had to cut it out...I presume its the wheat/oats.
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Serious answer: I think that your exercise regime, and to some degree your diet, has helped level out your mood for a number of reasons (release of serotonin, endorphins, stable blood sugar levels.)

    This is really one of the best benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle: good mood.
    I agree, I'd also note that each time she upped the protein, a carb was reduced. Maybe she's found her own personal sweet spot. Her perfect balance between carbs and protein to HELP level her blood sugars etc.

    Dunno. OP: whatever you're doing, keep doing it!

    Certainly. Also the increase in protein means more tryptophan meaning better mood (and she hasn't lowered carbs down drastically enough to inhibit that) as well as higher satiety meaning less hunger and less irritability.

    Sounds good to me ;)
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Serious answer: I think that your exercise regime, and to some degree your diet, has helped level out your mood for a number of reasons (release of serotonin, endorphins, stable blood sugar levels.)

    This is really one of the best benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle: good mood.
    I agree, I'd also note that each time she upped the protein, a carb was reduced. Maybe she's found her own personal sweet spot. Her perfect balance between carbs and protein to HELP level her blood sugars etc.

    Dunno. OP: whatever you're doing, keep doing it!

    Certainly. Also the increase in protein means more tryptophan meaning better mood (and she hasn't lowered carbs down drastically enough to inhibit that) as well as higher satiety meaning less hunger and less irritability.

    Sounds good to me ;)
    yup yup
    I remember when I "learned how to eat" (sounds silly, I know). My mood improved, my colleagues liked me better. I didn't PANIC if lunch was delayed. :smile: Made keeping the weight off sooooo much easier.
  • MrsJS5
    MrsJS5 Posts: 41 Member
    Thanks for the ideas! I'm sad if it's the animal protein because in an ideal world (lots of time to cook interesting things, not gaining weight) I would eat a vegan diet. Animal protein just grosses me out. I've had a difficult time buying chicken and ground turkey at Whole Foods b/c the smell of the meat department. (I teach dissection and comparative anatomy so maybe it's the association :smile: .)

    A good example of a meal change: Last night I was hungry before bed and I ate nonfat Greek yogurt which I hate. I put some banana in it but I would rather have just eaten the banana. Dairy is horrible - but easy protein.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    It is the endorphins created by the exercise. This is the reason I exercise when I do not feel like it.:)
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    I would agree its probably the endorphins from the exercise. Otherwise, I'd really like to know what other somethin-somethin' you've been adding to your meals because when I started lifting I was just TIRED.ALL.THE.TIME. Share the love! :)
  • CJ_Holmes
    CJ_Holmes Posts: 759 Member
    I had a similar experience when I added meat back to my diet after 6 vegetarian/vegan years in college. After eating my first red meat, I felt so full of vitality and well-being, it was ridiculous. I honestly spent a few days feeling euphoric.

    I had expected to get sick from such a dramatic change in diet, but I dropped weight, my skin cleared up, and I lost all of the cravings and mood swings I had been experiencing. My guess is that I was allergic or intolerant to something else I had been eating (soy?) and my body had a much easier time using the meat proteins. Who knows?

    I'm glad your new eating habits are working so well for you. What a great experience!
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Thanks for the ideas! I'm sad if it's the animal protein because in an ideal world (lots of time to cook interesting things, not gaining weight) I would eat a vegan diet. Animal protein just grosses me out. I've had a difficult time buying chicken and ground turkey at Whole Foods b/c the smell of the meat department. (I teach dissection and comparative anatomy so maybe it's the association :smile: .)

    A good example of a meal change: Last night I was hungry before bed and I ate nonfat Greek yogurt which I hate. I put some banana in it but I would rather have just eaten the banana. Dairy is horrible - but easy protein.
    I personally think it's the balance of the protein/carbs as I said. That said, it doesn't have to all be animal proteins. You could have peanut butter and an apple for that snack.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Serious answer: I think that your exercise regime, and to some degree your diet, has helped level out your mood for a number of reasons (release of serotonin, endorphins, stable blood sugar levels.)

    This is really one of the best benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle: good mood.
    I agree, I'd also note that each time she upped the protein, a carb was reduced. Maybe she's found her own personal sweet spot. Her perfect balance between carbs and protein to HELP level her blood sugars etc.

    Dunno. OP: whatever you're doing, keep doing it!

    I would agree..also, if you were lacking in protein before, your increased protein may be bringing you up to proper levels which will improve your mood as well as satiety. Exercise is a phenomenal mood elixir.
  • doctorsookie
    doctorsookie Posts: 1,084 Member
    Serious answer: I think that your exercise regime, and to some degree your diet, has helped level out your mood for a number of reasons (release of serotonin, endorphins, stable blood sugar levels.)

    This is really one of the best benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle: good mood.

    I concur.
  • CJ_Holmes
    CJ_Holmes Posts: 759 Member
    Another thought is that you may have been experiencing a lot of blood sugar swings, and the new eating habits are keeping your glucose levels more steady. That can have a pretty dramatic effect on your mood.
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    yup yup
    I remember when I "learned how to eat" (sounds silly, I know). My mood improved, my colleagues liked me better. I didn't PANIC if lunch was delayed. :smile: Made keeping the weight off sooooo much easier.

    It's a self reinforcing circle.

    And no, learning how to eat does not sound silly at all. Unless you naturally and unconsciously have the ability to eat and maintain weight easily sometimes you have to consciously reprogramme yourself and your eating habits until you get to that point. How the individual does that is a personal thing.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Another thought is that you may have been experiencing a lot of blood sugar swings, and the new eating habits are keeping your glucose levels more steady. That can have a pretty dramatic effect on your mood.
    Yup. That's what I suggested.
  • sloth3toes
    sloth3toes Posts: 2,212 Member
    This is really one of the best benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle: good mood.

    I am leading a healthy and active lifestyle, but I am still an angry, @$$hole. Can you help me?

    angryRICH.png
  • MrsJS5
    MrsJS5 Posts: 41 Member
    I would agree its probably the endorphins from the exercise. Otherwise, I'd really like to know what other somethin-somethin' you've been adding to your meals because when I started lifting I was just TIRED.ALL.THE.TIME. Share the love! :)

    I have had a few really tired days but I haven't felt the need to eat anything to get rid of the tiredness. Does that make sense? Three weeks ago I would eat to try to get rid of the tiredness but I haven't felt the need to.

    What have I been adding: That magical elixir known as coffee :smile: !
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    This is really one of the best benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle: good mood.

    I am leading a healthy and active lifestyle, but I am still an angry, @$$hole. Can you help me?

    Hmmm.

    This is a tricky case.

    My conclusion is

    You're screwed mate. Sorry.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    Very similar experience since I upped my protein also.
    I believe it may simply be that my body is satisfied so I just feel better because my instincts aren't trying to make me do something else(like look for food).
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    Has your fat macro gone up with the increased protein? I had the same experience, but I increased both protein and fat at the same time.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    This is really one of the best benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle: good mood.

    I am leading a healthy and active lifestyle, but I am still an angry, @$$hole. Can you help me?

    Hmmm.

    This is a tricky case.

    My conclusion is

    You're screwed mate. Sorry.
    LOL poor sloth.
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    I just started lifting heavier weights and with that started eating more frequent meals and eating protein at every meal (egg whites, chicken, turkey, etc...). I have been doing this for about two weeks now and I have noticed that I feel really content emotionally. I never had ups and downs but now I'm just really content all day. I have no cravings at all - I've made two batches of cookies for my kids and no cravings and the family ate french fries in front of me (a favorite) and no cravings.

    I normally eat a really healthy diet - lots of veggies, fruits, whole foods - and I generally have eaten 4-5 meals/snacks a day so that's not it. My big change has been the added protein.

    Anyone else experience this?

    Yes, I do. In my case, it's eating less carbs (I stay around 100 to 110 gr usually) and staying away from sugar (other than what's present in fruit and vegetables) that gives me the same experience.

    This week I increased my carbs and it gave me some unpleasant tummy ache, sluggishness, and a generally lower feeling of energy.

    But it's just me. Everyone is different.

    Edited to correct carb amount.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I just started lifting heavier weights and with that started eating more frequent meals and eating protein at every meal (egg whites, chicken, turkey, etc...). I have been doing this for about two weeks now and I have noticed that I feel really content emotionally. I never had ups and downs but now I'm just really content all day. I have no cravings at all - I've made two batches of cookies for my kids and no cravings and the family ate french fries in front of me (a favorite) and no cravings.

    I normally eat a really healthy diet - lots of veggies, fruits, whole foods - and I generally have eaten 4-5 meals/snacks a day so that's not it. My big change has been the added protein.

    Anyone else experience this?

    Yes, I do. In my case, it's eating less carbs (I stay around 110 to 110 gr usually) and staying away from sugar (other than what's present in fruit and vegetables) that gives me the same experience.

    This week I increased my carbs and it gave me some unpleasant tummy ache, sluggishness, and a generally lower feeling of energy.

    But it's just me. Everyone is different.
    That's me with "starchy carbs". ask my husband lol
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    What have I been adding: That magical elixir known as coffee :smile: !

    Hadn't read this. I don't drink coffee so mine is strictly carb-related.

    Enjoy the feeling and make the most of your days.
  • sloth3toes
    sloth3toes Posts: 2,212 Member
    This is really one of the best benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle: good mood.

    I am leading a healthy and active lifestyle, but I am still an angry, @$$hole. Can you help me?

    Hmmm.

    This is a tricky case.

    My conclusion is

    You're screwed mate. Sorry.

    funny-sloth-meme-300x258.jpg
  • MrsJS5
    MrsJS5 Posts: 41 Member
    Has your fat macro gone up with the increased protein? I had the same experience, but I increased both protein and fat at the same time.

    Not much. I was eating out more before but I would chose salads without dressing (I don't like salad dressing). Even with healthy choices, it's difficult to control any added fats to veggies and chicken so I would say that my fat has probably gone down slightly or is the same. I've added a small amount of almond butter for pre-workout in the morning and that's my most concentrated fat right now.

    My extra calories were coming from incidentals like eating one piece of bread or a few french fries out at dinner or eating something when I got home from work to help calm down from the stress of the day. That often was healthy but with a bigger serving of carbs.

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