I'm wondering if this is the cause of my moods lately, let me explain. I gave up meat just before Christmas. Ever since, I've noticed a huge increase in my self-esteem and confidence. I've been a better person psychologically. My depression started to subside, and life was good. A month ago I started dating a new guy and I caved into meat one night when we were drinking. They ordered pizza with pepperoni and I was back to my old meat-eating ways. Both of our families don't approve of vegetarianism. Anyway, since going back to the meat world I've hit my depression ten-fold. I feel like crap about myself and am always in a bad mood. Could it be from the meat?? My diet has gotten worse and worse. At the time of going back to meat I had just gotten my wisdom teeth out. So I've been living off potatoes, noodles and meat for the past three weeks. Before that I was eating healthy. Veggie wraps, rice, salads, etc.

I feel like I'm gaining weight and am always bloated. Oh, and I'm breaking out all over my face. Okay, now I know that my depression and bad moods were coming back a little bit before turning back to meat again because I've been having a difficult time dealing with a miscarriage from the end of February. But lately its gotten really bad. I also thought I would enjoy having a bit of meat after not eating for so long, but I really don't. Mine and my boyfriends family both don't understand the health benefits (physically and psychologically) of not eating meat and are to stubborn to believe it or even consider the possibility. My family doesn't know I went back to meat because it would give them to much satisfaction, so what do I do?

I mean I guess I could give it up again and just make sure not to eat supper at my boyfriends house..? Just eat before I go kind of thing. I don't know, I feel torn between sides and I'm not sure that its the meat that has been making me feel the way I am. What do all of you think?

I've been having a difficult time dealing with a miscarriage from the end of February.

I think that's most likely the cause of your bad moods, depression etc and not your diet. You've probably underestimated how much it's affected you emotionally. It'd probably do you a ton of good to have a chat with a counsellor of some sort. :)

Hey, thanks for the reply. At first I thought that was why too, but it was still within a manageable level. It's only in the past three weeks that my mood has started spiraling downwards so quickly. Could it be both? I know I also felt more energized without the meat. Either way I guess I know what I'm going to do lol. Go back to vegetarianism. I know there will be a few times that I'll eat meat to be polite and to not offend anybody, but I felt healthier when I wasn't eating meat because I paid more attention to my diet.

And you're right, I should see a counsellor (sp?). However I am still covered under my parents medical care (I'm 19) and they don't know of any of these problems. I have always put on a happy face for them and I know it would hurt them to much to know that their daughter needs counselling. (Because that is just the kind of people they are).

Aww you poor thing, if you've been having to hide that from your parents you're bound to feel stressed out! Unfortunately I can't give you any advice about your parents medical care because I have no idea about how the Canadian system works...maybe someone else can help.

Perhaps there is somewhere that you can get free counselling from like a women's health centre or similar?

I never thought of free counselling. Not sure it exists in my area but I suppose I could check it out. Thanks.

Patricia, I think you already know the answer. Clearly you recognize that not eating meat is the right thing to do, so I imagine that eating it creates a certain amount of internal conflict that's going to make you feel bad. Plus, you already observed that you felt physically and mentally better when you were not eating meat. So is it any surprise that going back would take that effect away and leave you feeling worse? On top of that, you mentioned that your diet has been getting worse and worse. Setting aside vegetarian issues, a healthy diet will virutally always leave you feeling better than an unhealthy diet. Maybe your family will have an easier time understanding if you explain it in terms of how you physically feel and that you feel healthier and better when you eat a lot of veggies and little or no meat.