Orweller

50 days is quite the accomplishment already, so you got that. 50 days may also be too soon to experience some of the benefits you are seeking, it's all so individual. To me it sounds like withdrawal of those carbs, those carbs may well be a crutch you're leaning on when you've got an anxiety attack. We've got such a hormonal/chemical response to refined carbs, they can offer an escape or soothe ones angst. We tend to tie emotion with eating, we do this even on our birthdays with a cake! Hang in there and ask questions, no one is an expert on but their own experience, nonetheless there's a lot to be learned.

All good here @johnnypepperoni I just read your response but I don't take it personally. We're all humans living the human experience. So long as you know I was trying to help. You've got my sympathy, well wishes, and concern, for what it's worth. And I am well aware I can come over harshly -us Dutch folks we speak our minds, for better or worse. Good luck and I truly hope things will get better for you.

The irony. You're the dismissive one. People are trying to help and all you do is repeat your own negativity. You're defensive, while it's not needed. You really think therapy is a bad idea?

Yes, and I'll spend my entire life getting better. I was doing it before this diet, getting better. The diet though, gave that boost, perhaps the physiological response to food, hormonal, chemical, etc. but also with regards to inflammation, slowing the progression of my auto-immune disease, got me out of being stuck. Along with this diet there is 17 years of working out, working on myself, realizing I was going to live with this, acceptance, grief, and determination. So what if I was wrong in the end. It happened to be so, that the doctor was wrong, because I am in the best shape of my life, and developed the strength I need for dealing with chronic pain. I will look for solutions in everything, the diet just somehow, fitted in, or made things easier. In your case the diet may be beneficial, IF in combination with exercise, (behavioral) therapy, medication (tricky but sometimes necessary). My depression was so obviously caused by physical pain, I had a roadmap out of it because of it. If you're dealing with clinical/major depression, which it sounds like you do, this diet may be just a part of the puzzle.

Welcome to the club. You are indeed heading towards the right direction. Take it slow if you must. Your mindset needs a bit to catch up. And all the old stuff, food pyramids, calories in/calories out, they will deserve another critical look. I am Ketovore myself, and sometimes I even have 40 carbs in a day or 50 even, but I am 7 months in, fat adapted, and it doesn't kick me out of ketosis. You'll learn so much about yourself in the coming months, you may find yourself asking, I wish I knew all this sooner! But whether the process is slow, or fast, easy or hard, you're moving away from the things you know do not work for you. Ask away, @Boband @Geezyare a wealth of information, and really helpful. I am just a smarty pants and they allow me on here for the time being. Much luck to you.

I'm like you, on the carnivore diet, because nothing else worked, for 32 years. I was heading for a wheel chair, chronic pain, every single day. So I can somewhat understand your frustration and perhaps, desperation. We all want to get better. I am not in doubt, of the success of this diet, from what I read, you are. 30 days in and you write it off. That's cynicism at best, and perhaps tragically based on your experience, and feeling hopelessness. What I am saying is, you cannot lean on diet alone with regards to mental health, this diet seems to be a success for a lot of people, that is undeniable. But so many other aspects can influence ones mental state of mind, does this person work out? is this person in a good relationship? does this person have debt? So many external forces at play here, that diet alone won't make the depression just go away. But, and I think we can agree, this diet is a very good start, or part of that journey. So when I say, do not lean on a diet, I mean, do not just use diet, but everything else! Hit the gym, start that hobby, whatever supplies you with an accumulative effect that get you out of trouble. It gives you, and this diet a better chance. You should never be done, you should always keep on fighting what is rightfully yours, your happiness. I am not attacking you, I am offering you a perspective, in which I may seem like an a$$hole, but truly not meant as such. I just can't stand seeing somebody lose hope. I wish you the best.

You cannot lean on a diet when it regards mental problems. It solely lies in the cause of mental distress. Diet can be another helper, and I do hope this is the case for you. But mental struggles can stem from years of trauma, upbringing, years of eating junk, even genetics play a role. I'd strongly advice to give the diet at least 90 days without expectations. Expectations are a killer of many good things, but especially when dealing with depression. I do not mean to sound harsh or judgmental, I just want you to succeed, this diet is indeed, not a magic pill, it does take a mental switch, even for the ones without any mental problems. Do not prepare for failure, as that will be the very thing you'll get. Prepare for success, and be wrong when it doesn't work, then at least, you'll have a lesson, data, to get you to a better path.

Salsa on your burger! I am outraged!

Bacon is bacon, to me at least. I tend to not worry about the small amounts of sugar here and there. If you eat 2 to 4 slices a day, I wouldn't worry about it.

Oh, I quoted you!

When I need food in a pinch, I got frozen burgers, then I put them on the foreman grill, 5 minutes or so later, I eat beef. I do add butter though since those grills dry them out. No fancy meal but good fuel.

Snacking can absolutely hinder your progress. The thing is, you have so much less hunger pangs and probably snack out of habit, with no other function than to kill time, a left over from carb addiction. Mentally see snacking as such, that will help. We do not need snacks, it's a thing that is taught, and was necessary because we had carb cravings, due to inefficient macronutrient intake, a boon for the sugar industry I may add.

There's drinks and mixes you can purchase. But one could turn to supplements, magnesium, potassium, and increase the use of table salt, imo iodized salt. Make these changes in increments. @Scott worded it perfectly. Tweak your intake, bit by bit.

Welcome! Ask lots of questions.

Pork chops...

Just watched it, great video.

That article is terrifying. Mandates, taxes, regulation, indoctrination. It always starts well intended. It's about parenting, really. And it should stop there.

Consider also, water intake, sleep quality, and stress. There may be things at play outside of diet, that may be more pronounced with a carnivore style diet.

That could only be made in Texas legally, I feel.

At my heaviest ever I was 155. I've never been a big eater, stopped going at fast food places some 8 years ago, and now when I see the price of a burger, I consider myself a rich man.

Have you had your testosterone tested?

Again, I am 5'9, 135lbs. I eat a little over a pound of meat, the rest is eggs and cheese, I am guessing around 1600 to 1900 calories a day. There's so many things that can play a role here, even sleep. I think it is worth to stick it through and tweak as you go.

You feel like the extra weight is bloating? Make sure you use iodized salt. I usually go for fattier meat than 80/20, that may be the low energy issue, and don't be afraid to add a little carbs if you need to. A handful of dark chocolate or an ounce of carrots. This diet is not cookie cutter. Whether your body still needs time depends on your age. Working out 5 times a week, may also be an aspect, on this diet, your recovery times may be different. I switched from a week cycle, to a 10 cycle with regards to rest, etc. Then again, I am 49 so recovery is priority. Sometimes less is more.

It's crazy how we get rid of something so durable, in exchange for convenience. Though I must say, stainless steel can outlast you as well. I've gotten rid of anything teflon or other non-stick sprayed pans.

The mental benefits are definitely connected with what you put in your body. Diet may not be the main culprit, or the all out solution, but we do have a chemical, hormonal response to what we put in our body which may worsen mental states in which we may find ourselves. Of course, the feeling of accomplishment is a benefactor. Be proud of yourself and carry on, if anything, give it 90 days. I am still discovering improvements after 6 months. Remember, we faced a lifetime of a toxic western diet.