Why do dieters face poor moods when they are eating foods that should make them feel better?

Question

To explain further, I am dieting, I am eating mostly salads, veggies, beans, rice and fruit. I drink water, tea without sugar, and diet drinks once in a while. I am not consuming foods that the restrictions do not allow for, but I get hungry more often, and I get grumpy when I can't eat. I can't eat at work unless it's lunchtime. I wait until I get home to have dinner, and the temptations to eat afterwards, I fight them with carrots or water. But I am so tired of salads and carrots - help me to keep up hope and not break down and eat a Snickers!

Answer 1

i feel your pain...truly....not long ago i was n a specific diet for heart burn problems..and it was bland as heck...

but i am usually a good eater and in my life...i dropped over 30 pounds in college because i wanted the perfect body...

so, your suffering will most likely be short lived...the body is cleansing itself of toxins...like when someone stops using herion, they suffer from withdrawl...this will stable out within a month..and you might actually start to feel almost euphoric from your new diet...i might ad...that you can probably try getting a popcorn maker and eat airpopped popcorn with a touch of salt....can be rather filling..but do not use the buttery crap.

once you body gets used to the proportions your hunger should die down as well..think of it as this...you didnt get to the point you are at right now, denying yourself anything...now is your time to suffer...but it will be for a good cause!

Answer 2

Maybe you should vary your menu up a little bit. Sounds like you are in a rut. You can only eat so many salads and carrots before you start getting bitchy, I don't blame you there. Heck, I'd get that way to if I never got to eat a Snickers.

You should get some sort of cookbook or something and learn to cook healthy meals to liven your life up a little bit so you can start feeling better and looking forward to tomorrow. I know how it is to wake up and know all I'm going to get to eat today is a salad and a piece of fruit. That's enough to depress anyone.

I've lost a lot of weight and now I've learned how to eat healthy food. You would be surprised at what you can actually eat and not gain weight if you just eat small portions and not overdo it.

Good luck to you and go out and have a snickers bar and enjoy it. It won't kill you!!

Answer 3

It's hard to eat some food that's good for you, because candy isn't on that list and that kind of "food" is fun. Salad's aren't, I don't care who you are.

If I could diet and eat chocolate and apple pie, I'd weigh less, but who wants just salad and cottage cheese?

Eat 5 times a day, not 3. I bet there are a few things you can throw in there that aren't bad. Once the weight comes off, that may be motivation enough to eat the not so yummy stuff and you may even start to like it!

Answer 4

Your body and your tastes are accustomed to having the foods that aren't healthy for you, after a while you will get used to these new foods and you will probably figure out some ways to spice it up in a healthy way. Can you have a snack during break times? If so that might take away the grumpiness, and help curb the urge for the snickers too. Good Luck!

Answer 5

I know what you mean. The first bit is the hardest but after you start seeing those lower numbers on the scale it'll motivate you that much more. Have tiny goals like seeing the next number that would impress you (if you're 164, have a 159 as a mini goal) and when you hit it it'll make all of those carrots worth it and you'll be so happy with yourself next time you crave a chocolate you'll be trained to think chocolate or 2 more pounds next week and eventually the hope of 2 pounds will make you a lot happier than that chocolate would. It takes time to adjust your taste buds to natural tastes again and to enjoy vegetables and things but you'll get there and you wont regret it whereas you probably will regret giving into the cravings.

Answer 6

diet drinks are very bad for you. they contain aspartame (something like that) and they actually make you hungry and not lose weight. try a day without any diet drinks or sugar and see what happens.

also, you might read DR. OZ's book.... he's always on oprah.

every once in a while, eat a miniature snickers. don't completely deny yourself, else you'll end up binging.

keep a food diary, i know that when i eat certain foods, i get a reaction from it.

Answer 7

As you lose weight you will feel more energetic.
Not eating chocolate has bad effects on me.
I was having it a lot and then ran out so haven't had any a few days and I gained 3 pounds in one day. I think it was salt retention.
I try to lose weight and don't so I give up all the time. It is a never ending battle.
Salad is so tireing to eat because you have to chew and chew and it is cold.

Answer 8

Simple, because subconsciously, you feel like you are depriving yourself. Make sure to find foods that are healthy but taste really good too. Vary what you eat everyday. For example, have a different kind of salad today if you had caesar salad yesterday. I personally love asian chicken salad. Add your own twist to your food if you'd like. Like, I love mixing canned tuna, cucumbers, and lettuce with balsamic vinaigrette dressing and a hint of pepper. Whatever works for you, as long as you're still eating healthy. You should be enjoying yourself.

Answer 9

youre used to getting to much sugar, which you are now lacking. it will be short term, when your blood sugar levels stabalise u will stop feeling hungry and or moody, and will in fact feel much better than u did b4. also, when u start seeing the positive results that will uplift you further. it gets much easier as time goes on, and eventually you´ll wonder why u didnt eat so healthily before! just be patient and dont give up



And also, doing excersise is a great way to stave off hunger and get in a better mood. so next time your hungry or pissed off, go for a run!

Answer 10

Same reason smokers who quit get irritated easier even after they have quit for a month or two and the physical addiction has passed. You have a psychological addiction to food. Your mind is craving the calories and fat. Like quitting any other addiction, it will take time. You, the foodaholic, will need to make lifestyle changes to keep from falling back into old habits. I support anyone who has the courage to make a change for the better. I salute you!