Our Low Carb-Keto-Mediterranean Adventure: A Real-Life Transformation
Hello, friends! I've got a story to share about a little experiment my husband and I decided to embark on between 6 to 12 months ago. We called it our "low carb" and "keto-ish" journey. It was supposed to be a 30-day challenge, driven by curiosity more than anything else. Little did we know, it would turn into a lifestyle that has us feeling the best we've ever felt.
The Unexpected Benefits
First off, let's talk mental clarity. The change has been night and day. Brain fog has dissipated, leaving us with sharp, focused minds. And energy? Our energy levels are consistently high, without the usual crash in the afternoon. Plus, our sleep quality has dramatically improved—deep, restful sleep is the new norm around here.
Another bonus has been our relationship with food, especially snacking. Because the types of natural and whole foods that we’re eating keep us full longer, those constant cravings have significantly diminished, making our days less about when we can eat next and more about enjoying what we do eat.
Unexpected Weight Loss
While weight loss wasn't our primary goal, it's been a welcome side effect. My husband has impressively dropped 50 pounds, and I've lost 12 pounds, finding our bodies' natural happy weights with this dietary shift.
Health Markers Improve
On top of everything else, we've seen real, positive changes in health markers, especially for my husband, whose levels in certain areas were starting to concern us. Now, they're all back within the excellent range, which has been very reassuring.
The Vital Role of Nutrition in Mental Health
In recent years, the conversation around mental health has expanded to include not only psychological and environmental factors but also the critical role that nutrition plays. A growing body of research suggests that what we eat significantly impacts our mental well-being, influencing mood, cognitive function, and even the risk of developing mental health disorders.
The Connection Between Diet and Mental Health
The link between diet and mental health stems from the intricate relationship between the brain's structure and function and the nutrients we consume. Our brains are highly sensitive to what we eat, and certain nutritional deficiencies or diets can influence the production of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are crucial for mood regulation and cognitive processes.
For instance, omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, flaxseed, and walnuts, are essential for brain health, contributing to the fluidity of cell membranes and playing a role in anti-inflammatory processes that protect the brain. Similarly, antioxidants from some fruits and vegetables combat oxidative stress that can damage brain cells, while B vitamins are pivotal in energy production and the synthesis of neurotransmitters.
The Mediterranean Diet: A Beacon for Mental Health
The Mediterranean diet has been highlighted for its positive effects on mental health. Characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, this diet has quite a bit of research behind it.
Research indicates that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of depression and cognitive decline. This protective effect is attributed to the diet's high content of nutrients that are critical for brain function, such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The diet's emphasis on healthy fats, particularly those from olive oil and fish, supports brain health, while its low content of processed foods and saturated fats aligns with reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, factors linked to mental health issues.
The Keto Lifestyle
The ketogenic (keto) diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that aims to put your body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. It focuses on foods like meats, cheeses, oils (except for seed and vegetable oils), and some low-carb vegetables, emphasizing the reduction of sugar and starchy foods.
Our approach blends aspects of the Mediterranean and Keto diets which allows for more variety while maintaining low carb intake. When possible, we focus on high-quality animal products, especially grass-fed meats, wild caught fish, organically grown when possible and incorporate some ketogenic-friendly plant foods.
Diving Deeper for Those Interested
There’s a new book by Dr. Georgia Ede called Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind. She has also been interviewed in several YouTube accounts. It's a game-changer, packed with information on how your diet affects your brain and mental health. It just hit the shelves and is already making waves.
A Friendly Reminder
It's important to remember that this journey reflects our personal experience. What works for us may not work for everyone. Consulting with healthcare professionals and listening to your body is crucial when making any significant dietary changes.
Wrapping It Up
Embarking on this Low Carb-Keto-Mediterranean lifestyle has opened our eyes to the profound impact diet can have on mental clarity, energy levels, sleep quality, and overall health. If you're at all curious, I encourage you to do some research and maybe even give it a try in an informed way. It's been a transformative experience for us, and it could be for you too. Here's to continuing to find things that work for you on your path to better health and well-being!
Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash
The Unexpected Benefits
First off, let's talk mental clarity. The change has been night and day. Brain fog has dissipated, leaving us with sharp, focused minds. And energy? Our energy levels are consistently high, without the usual crash in the afternoon. Plus, our sleep quality has dramatically improved—deep, restful sleep is the new norm around here.
Another bonus has been our relationship with food, especially snacking. Because the types of natural and whole foods that we’re eating keep us full longer, those constant cravings have significantly diminished, making our days less about when we can eat next and more about enjoying what we do eat.
Unexpected Weight Loss
While weight loss wasn't our primary goal, it's been a welcome side effect. My husband has impressively dropped 50 pounds, and I've lost 12 pounds, finding our bodies' natural happy weights with this dietary shift.
Health Markers Improve
On top of everything else, we've seen real, positive changes in health markers, especially for my husband, whose levels in certain areas were starting to concern us. Now, they're all back within the excellent range, which has been very reassuring.
The Vital Role of Nutrition in Mental Health
In recent years, the conversation around mental health has expanded to include not only psychological and environmental factors but also the critical role that nutrition plays. A growing body of research suggests that what we eat significantly impacts our mental well-being, influencing mood, cognitive function, and even the risk of developing mental health disorders.
The Connection Between Diet and Mental Health
The link between diet and mental health stems from the intricate relationship between the brain's structure and function and the nutrients we consume. Our brains are highly sensitive to what we eat, and certain nutritional deficiencies or diets can influence the production of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are crucial for mood regulation and cognitive processes.
For instance, omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, flaxseed, and walnuts, are essential for brain health, contributing to the fluidity of cell membranes and playing a role in anti-inflammatory processes that protect the brain. Similarly, antioxidants from some fruits and vegetables combat oxidative stress that can damage brain cells, while B vitamins are pivotal in energy production and the synthesis of neurotransmitters.
The Mediterranean Diet: A Beacon for Mental Health
The Mediterranean diet has been highlighted for its positive effects on mental health. Characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, this diet has quite a bit of research behind it.
Research indicates that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of depression and cognitive decline. This protective effect is attributed to the diet's high content of nutrients that are critical for brain function, such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The diet's emphasis on healthy fats, particularly those from olive oil and fish, supports brain health, while its low content of processed foods and saturated fats aligns with reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, factors linked to mental health issues.
The Keto Lifestyle
The ketogenic (keto) diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that aims to put your body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. It focuses on foods like meats, cheeses, oils (except for seed and vegetable oils), and some low-carb vegetables, emphasizing the reduction of sugar and starchy foods.
Our approach blends aspects of the Mediterranean and Keto diets which allows for more variety while maintaining low carb intake. When possible, we focus on high-quality animal products, especially grass-fed meats, wild caught fish, organically grown when possible and incorporate some ketogenic-friendly plant foods.
Diving Deeper for Those Interested
There’s a new book by Dr. Georgia Ede called Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind. She has also been interviewed in several YouTube accounts. It's a game-changer, packed with information on how your diet affects your brain and mental health. It just hit the shelves and is already making waves.
A Friendly Reminder
It's important to remember that this journey reflects our personal experience. What works for us may not work for everyone. Consulting with healthcare professionals and listening to your body is crucial when making any significant dietary changes.
Wrapping It Up
Embarking on this Low Carb-Keto-Mediterranean lifestyle has opened our eyes to the profound impact diet can have on mental clarity, energy levels, sleep quality, and overall health. If you're at all curious, I encourage you to do some research and maybe even give it a try in an informed way. It's been a transformative experience for us, and it could be for you too. Here's to continuing to find things that work for you on your path to better health and well-being!
Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash