Body
One thing I know-- Lithium is making me fat. And I crave sweets. I feel no resistance to these cravings and I appear to be gaining weight fast. All this prompted me to search the net for some information on diet and bipolar disorder.
As a side note, it's lucky that I did this at all because I've been in a very down mood over the past few days. I have also been forgetting a lot of important information which makes me nervous. Anyway, about the diet...
I rooted through the garbage that google spewed forth for my search and found article from three good sources. All sources emphasized the importance of a good, balanced diet for people suffering from bipolar disorder. Most sources explained that certain foods can be harmful for people with bp and that there are nutrients that some consider a miracle when added to a bp diet.
I found this reference to a book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.NC. From the article, A Holistic Approach for Treating Manic Depressive Disorders by Daniel T. Moore, Ph.D. Copyrighted 1998 :
Among other recommendations, they suggest a diet free of sugar, dairy products, alcohol, soda and caffeine. Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes are encouraged. According to Dr. and Mrs. Balch, whitefish and turkey should be eaten twice a week. Our clients have agreed that much caffeine and sugar can start a mild manic episode.
I think that this book is worth checking out for its in-depth look at nutrition for people with bipolar disorder.
Free of sugar!!! AHHHHH.... I don't know how I'm going to do this...
The following suggestions were made at the bipolar-lives website:
*Eat enough protein, especially low fat protein such as fish, lean meat, poultry and/or alternatives.
* Eat plenty of vegetables, especially leafy greens with folate.
*Be disciplined and restrict cereals (including breads, rice, pasta and noodles), and preferably eat wholegrain.
*Eat fresh fruit, but in moderation.
*Replace unhealthy fats with omegas, especially omega-3
*Limit your alcohol intake if you choose to drink.
*A good multi-vitamin (research shows they really can help bipolar people), and the three proven bipolar supplements of (1) Fish Oil, (2) Folic Acid, and (3) Inositol are your best bets. (Also see inositol side effects.)
There was a lot of good information here. I do need to add a multivitamin to my daily pill supply... ugh more pills...
When I was reading this it made me think of the South Beach (or similar) diet. Well, lo and behold, the next website I checked (about.com) had an article about using the South Beach diet to treat bipolar disorder.
Hey-- I have that book-- maybe I'll take it out of the cobwebs again.
Before I sign off, I'd like to suggest another book that has a similar diet to South beach, but it also addresses exercise-- something else we all need. The Best Life Diet by Bob Green-- seen on Oprah. Another book to dust off!
Positive Thoughts to All,
Jen
I think that this book is worth checking out for its in-depth look at nutrition for people with bipolar disorder.
Free of sugar!!! AHHHHH.... I don't know how I'm going to do this...
The following suggestions were made at the bipolar-lives website:
*Eat enough protein, especially low fat protein such as fish, lean meat, poultry and/or alternatives.
* Eat plenty of vegetables, especially leafy greens with folate.
*Be disciplined and restrict cereals (including breads, rice, pasta and noodles), and preferably eat wholegrain.
*Eat fresh fruit, but in moderation.
*Replace unhealthy fats with omegas, especially omega-3
*Limit your alcohol intake if you choose to drink.
*A good multi-vitamin (research shows they really can help bipolar people), and the three proven bipolar supplements of (1) Fish Oil, (2) Folic Acid, and (3) Inositol are your best bets. (Also see inositol side effects.)
There was a lot of good information here. I do need to add a multivitamin to my daily pill supply... ugh more pills...
When I was reading this it made me think of the South Beach (or similar) diet. Well, lo and behold, the next website I checked (about.com) had an article about using the South Beach diet to treat bipolar disorder.
Hey-- I have that book-- maybe I'll take it out of the cobwebs again.
Before I sign off, I'd like to suggest another book that has a similar diet to South beach, but it also addresses exercise-- something else we all need. The Best Life Diet by Bob Green-- seen on Oprah. Another book to dust off!
Positive Thoughts to All,
Jen
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