depression (?)

i've been trying to base my diet mainly off of brown rice lately. nothing comparable to the #7 diet that oshawa prescribed, but more like 70% of the portions. the problem is that i get incredibly ldown, depressed right after eating. i feel very full, content, but have had a sharp drop in appetite lately. i guess i have a strong addiction to sweets but had no idea the detoxification would be so dramatic.

does anyone know what this indicates in terms of yin and yang? does anyone else feel this way? i've been napping much more frequently and sometimes don't feel like i have the motivation to get out of bed. it sounds awful but in the mornings and evenings when there is nothing in my stomach, i feel incredibly good. i have no appetite and my mind is clear, sharp, and alert. it's only after dinner time that i get very down and feel like everything in my life is meaningless.

i don't actually want to stop my diet because the "highs" feel so rewarding i feel like i should stick with it. any advice / precautions?

much thanks.

[lysia jones]

I too have been very sad. My man thinks it is lack of fresh air exersise, he may be right as I am demotivated by the cold. Keep movin! Lysia

[Manymoons]

Winter Guest

Less is more! It is no accident that you feel more clear when you are empty. I discovered this a long time ago, which drove home the concept that eating too much is as bad if not worse than eating bad quality food. Eat less at meals and see how you feel. I suspect you are simply eating too much, for you.

A lot of energy can be expended when your body transmutes and metabolizes your food. If you eat excessively your body must work harder and you will feel the energy drain. I do not Know how long you have been with this food. I sense it has not been long. Until your body adjusts it must work even harder than usual.

I also do not Know specifically what you are eating. You may be taking some element that is contributing to what you feel negatively. A craving for sweet can indicate a need for yin or a rejection of yang. Which it may be, I can not say.

Try eating less--smaller portions but maintain variety. Eat things that are more neutral, which are less likely to impose their nature on you. This allows you to discover your own nature. It is a common error to go to food for your yin/yang needs which is self defeating. The food will not give you your yin/yang. It will however allow you to find your own as no other food can.
Eat to live-- not live to eat.

One's yin/yang comes from living--not just eating. Who and what do you love?
What trips you trigger? What floats your boat? Get my drift? These are the things that make living a life. These things are were your yin/yang are found.

Depression happens. Usually as a counter-point to to excessive high. Perhaps your body has a history of over stimulation and now must "down size" as an effort of rebalancing. Be patient and think small. The higher the low---the lower the high.

Empathetically
Manymoons

Your are making yourself to heavy -yang out with all the grain. Incoporate yin cooking techniques and dishes. Balance, Balance, Balance. It takes time to learn from our symptoms.

Rather than getting into a long recommendation do follow Michio's standard macro diet. Do not place your meal on your dinner plate as the diagram indicates but rather a modest serving. Eat to the point of feeling full then stop, do not over eat. You might try smaller meals more frequent through the day. Good luck

thanks for the responses.. yes i think you're totally right that i am eating larger portions than are right for my body. it's just that when food lacks the flavor and stimulating properties that i'm used i try to make up for it by eating larger portions. of course, i see this now and i'm going to try to regulate this better.

i've been vegan for 1 year and vegetarian for about 1 year before that, which may not be a very long time but I excersize frequently and I feel really healthy overall. Also, I've fasted occasionally.. a day at a time on fruit juice or water. i really had thought that the cleanse would not be so intense but i've never felt anything like the switch to macrobiotics! it can feel either very draining or very clearing.

i find that the greatest effect it has is on my emotions, does anyone feel this way? or does it affect you mentally most in some other way? it's really a good thing for me, because i'm finally learning how to deal with them and it's becoming more than just a physical change.

i was also wondering if anyone here is familiar with Ayurvedic diet? i happen to be a vata and i'm wondering how that may affect what macro foods i should stick to... thank you!

[Klara]

Isn't change wonderful? Just the realization that things can be different is already so much further than alot of people ever get to.

You hadn't mentioned where you live - is it hot? If yes, then maybe you also need to balance for that, so more yin foods. I'm sorry for my ignorance, but what is vata? As for the Ayurvedic diet, my understanding is that it's good for the balance that's needed in India, not for those of us in more temperate climates.

And yes, I think emotions is a big part of why mb means so much to me. Gratefully my body was not in pain, but emotionally, I'm much more calm than in the old days.

When eating too yang (or feeling too yang), sweet vegetables are a great recommendation, and even more yin and soothing is a sweet vegetable drink - 1/4 cup each of onions, carrots, cabbage and squash (pumpkin, any sweet variation) - NO SALT - to 4 cups water, simmered 1/2 hour, DRAINED, and slowly chew your drink, about 1/2 cup, mid-morning (10-ish) and "tea-time" (4-ish) - your uplifting potion can last 2-3 days in fridge, make sure you warm up the drink before "chewing." Also can drink anytime you're feeling angry, sad, hungry or any other crazy down feelings.

Here's to balance and well being!!!

Klara

thanks for the help .. i realized that i've been using a pressure cooker and that may be a problem, maybe contributing to the feeling that im 'drowning' after i eat. i think thats an extreme yang, right?
the problem is that i have little time to cook but if this is what's making the depression so intense, then i will stop.

any experience on this topic?

[neon]

While reading old threads..
Just wanted to add, that pressure cooking is not considered extreme yang.
Pressure cooking is the essential part of the macrobiotic diet, it's giving more harmonious energy to the whole grains and beans. It's a yang factor, but a very good form of yang cooking.