8 years ago, I weighed 240 lbs., I was on a dozen medications, barely functioning, and desperate for help.
My doctors shuffled meds as I deteriorated. The only thing worse than my mental health was my asthma.
One night, I landed in the ER where a doctor compassionately asked,
Nothing makes people lose their minds faster than saying that changing my diet cured two decades of treatment-resistant depression.
But it did. And I’ve been depression free for almost 7 years.🙌🙌
Doing my “own research” allowed me to:
- Heal 20 years of severe depression + anxiety naturally
- Taper off multiple medications
- Lose 75lbs
- Reverse my insulin resistance + PCOS
- Live without joint pain, chronic fatigue, and daily asthma treatments
So far, so good!
8 years ago I didn’t think I was going to make it. I had seen “the best” doctors. I was on half a dozen meds and getting worse. I had severe postpartum depression and I just wanted a chance to be a healthy happy mom. In desperation I found a team of Integrative providers who
I was told I would always struggle and I believed it until I realized I was going to die or find another way to live. Life isn’t perfect but it’s nothing like it used to be. Forever thankful I found a different path.
I think the carnivore community should start a campaign to bring back wrapping meat in butcher paper instead of plastic. We have all this beautiful meat and it’s covered in plastic!
Who’s with me?
I’m not exaggerating when I say that the hardest thing I’ve done is quit antidepressants after 20 years of continuous use.
Not only was the withdrawal hell, but mentally I had to overcome 20 years of doctors telling me I couldn’t live without them.
A kid, around 13-14 years old, just showed up at our front door and asked if he could wash our car for $20. He has all his own supplies and just needs a hose.
What would you do?
I was a mental health patient for 25 years and a social worker for 15. The message I received as both patient and provider was “mental illnesses are lifelong, incurable diseases”. And yet with diet+lifestyle changes I got better. It’s time to stop telling people these lies.
It’s frustrating to hear mental health professionals say it’s too HARD to get people to change their diets.
Me on the left: Overmedicated, suicidal, uncontrolled depression & anxiety, rapidly gaining weight. This was HARD.
Me on the right: No longer the same person because I
Yesterday a doctor asked us if anyone in our family experienced migraines.
My husband said, “I used to but then I quit eating gluten and stopped getting them.”
Doctor just stared at him.
Left: Results of 20+ years of trying to fix my severe depression and anxiety with conventional medicine.
Right: Less than two years of working to find the root cause, heal with food, and challenging everything I believed to be true about mental health.
OCD is hell. I had no idea a ketogenic diet and other metabolic therapies could stop the intrusive, repetitive thoughts I struggled with daily. This book is a must-read for anyone suffering.
#ketodiet
#brainenergy
I can’t believe psychiatric euthanasia is being offered as an option for treatment-resistant mental illness.
I never imagined this is what “progress” would look like.
What’s next? Euthanasia for those in poverty? Homelessness? Drug addiction?
Hands down, the best mental health advice I’ve ever received was, “change your diet”.
It seemed unbelievable to me that after twenty years of failed treatment something like a dietary change could help, but it did.
Sometimes our prayers have been answered, we just can’t see it yet.
Christmas 2015 was the darkest season of my life. I was struggling with severe postpartum depression. I was barely functioning, and all the help I received just made things worse.
I wanted to end it all but I
Towards the end of summer, I fell off the
#ketodiet
and face first into sugar.
I’m not here to repent or beat myself up because I don’t see any value in that. I’m just here to say I’m human. And I’m a human with a loooooong addiction to sugar.
Sugar was how I comforted myself
This morning I dropped below 155. My weight loss stalled at 165 and and during Covid was up to 170. This is a big deal- my metabolism is healing. And most importantly- I feel great.
#keto
#lowcarb
I am extremely grateful that after years of severe depression and failed treatment I learned changing my diet might help.
Because it did and it saved my life.
How I took my health into my own hands and healed:
Step 1: Got completely fed up.
Step 2: Realized that I’d been following my doctor’s advice for 20+ years and my mental + physical health had gotten WORSE.
Step 3: Started doing my own research.
Step 4: Hired new providers who
I spent 20 years searching to find the right combination of meds for a chemical imbalance I never had.
So yes, I’ll be doing my own research going forward. And no, I won’t be “trusting the science”.
Medicine needs to earn back trust. It won’t be blindly handed back.
They told me I would “always struggle”.
-Treatment resistant depression
-Debilitating anxiety+intrusive thoughts
-Uncontrollable weight gain
-A revolving door of medications that didn’t help
CHANGING MY DIET SAVED MY LIFE.
FOOD HEALS.
#mentalhealth
#MentalHealthMatters
Keto is the only intervention I’ve found that reduces my intrusive thoughts.
I tried multiple SSRIs. They didn’t help.
Is keto restrictive? Sure. But have you tried living with OCD?
OCD is hell. I tried and failed
#keto
several times before I heard that it could have mental health effects. I had no idea that it could stop the intrusive, repetitive thoughts that I struggled with daily. Everyone needs to read this book.
#ketodiet
#brainenergy
I’m at the beach because since my dad died holidays haven’t been the same.
Home doesn’t feel like home.
And Thanksgiving is HARD.
So I’m at the beach, because I feel connected here. And it’s a good place to make memories with my son.
It’s easy to look at someone’s social
I was a mental health patient for 25 years and a social worker for 15. The message I received as both patient and provider was “mental illnesses are lifelong, incurable diseases”. And yet with diet+lifestyle changes I got better. It’s time to stop telling people these lies.
@fesshole
The problem is not everyone who’s needs these is an addict. Life happens. Also, compassion is a really good thing for medical providers to have. This comes across as uncaring.
Biggest lies my doctor told me:
🧠You will struggle with depression your entire life.
🧠You have a chemical imbalance in your brain.
🧠What you eat doesn’t matter.
Turns out none of this was true.
I’m amazed every day that on a low carb, ketogenic diet my OCD has just disappeared. It’s like a calm just came over my brain and silenced all the intrusive thoughts. People spend thousands on expensive OCD treatments and yet for me a ketogenic diet is working incredibly well.
NOTHING. And I am serious when I say this… NOTHING was more difficult for me to quit than antidepressants. And they did not improve my quality of life—just the opposite.
I know I’m not alone here.
After I pulled off this transformation I went to see my OB.
His response? He said he would not see me unless I went back on my meds.😳
This is what we are up against.
FYI, it’s been 8 years and I haven’t gone back to him or the meds. Food has been my medicine.
It’s frustrating to hear mental health professionals say it’s too HARD to get people to change their diets.
Me on the left: Overmedicated, suicidal, uncontrolled depression & anxiety, rapidly gaining weight. This was HARD.
Me on the right: No longer the same person because I
My life is not perfect but it’s 1000x better than I ever believed it could be.
It’s the simple things that mean the most. A walk on the beach, a cup of coffee, watching my son throw a football.
These are things I almost missed out on. I hope I never take them for granted.
I was born in 1981, a time when antibiotics were handed out like candy—I took multiple rounds each year. At 13, I was among the first generation to be prescribed antidepressants. By 14, I was on birth control, and before I turned 18, I had endured two lengthy rounds of Accutane.
When I switched from burning carbs to burning fat, I finally experienced the peace and calm I’d searched for my entire life.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, you owe it to yourself to see if a ketogenic diet can help.
#ketoformentalhealth
#fatfueled
One of the most surprising things for me was how much capacity my body had for healing.
I’d been told I was at the mercy of endless medical interventions, but when fed properly, I discovered my body had an incredible ability to find balance and heal itself.
What they told me I had:
- A chemical imbalance
What I ACTUALLY had:
- Gluten intolerance
- Hormone imbalance
- Insulin resistance
- Medication side effects
Why don’t more doctors look for the root cause instead of rushing to meds that don’t solve the underlying problem?
I’ve done all kinds of functional medicine testing. I’ve tried many different diets. I’ve healed my thyroid. Reversed my pre-diabetes, PCOS, and insulin resistance. I focused on gut health, practiced mindfulness, and worked on my past traumas.
And yet, If I consume sugar or high
How did I effortlessly lose the last 25lbs, get rid of my brain fog, and eliminate my anxious/intrusive thoughts? Keto.
Truly thankful for everyone on Twitter that shared their research, testimonials, and support.
#ketodiet
#ketoworks
#foodheals
What I was told would help my depression:
❌Antidepressants
What actually helped:
✅Quitting gluten/grains
✅Tapering OFF antidepressants
✅Balancing my thyroid + hormones
✅Fixing nutrient deficiencies(Vit D, B12, folate, etc)
✅Fueling my brain with protein + fat
I was told for 20 years I was seriously mentally ill. But the truth is I was:
👉Gluten Intolerant
👉Hormonally imbalanced
👉Nutrient deficient
👉Inflamed
👉Insulin resistant
👉Overmedicated
I had to address these in order to heal the depression, anxiety, addiction, etc.
I was told for decades I would “always struggle”. I’m both a former mental health patient and social worker and I was hopeless. Decades of poor treatment nearly destroyed me. I saw some of “the best” doctors and no one told me I could actually heal. And yet, I did.
✨2024 Goals✨
🥩Eat more protein
🏋️♀️Turn garage into gym
💪Focus on getting STRONG
I’m 42. When I’m 50 I want to be in better shape than I’ve ever been.
Who wants to join me?
#letsgo
#womenwholift
Me after questioning 20+ years of failed mental health treatment:
🧠Lost 75lbs
🧠No longer depressed
🧠Anxiety & intrusive thoughts reduced
🧠PCOS + hypothyroidism undetectable w/ labs
🧠Increased energy and joy
🧠Able to taper off meds + abstain from alcohol
If your
My dad ate
#oatmeal
for breakfast everyday for decades.
He had a heart attack, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and died too young.
I wonder what his life would have been like if he’d eaten eggs and bacon for breakfast instead.
#lowcarb
#cholesterol
What happened when I quit eating gluten:
🧠20 years of treatment-resistant depression went away.
🧠I was able to manage my anxiety without alcohol or RX drugs.
🧠I had less joint pain + fatigue
🧠I lost 70lbs.
I’ve been
#glutenfree
for 7 years now and this is all still true.
Me after daring to question 20 years of failed mental health treatment and healing the root cause with diet:
🧠 Lost 75lbs
🧠 No longer depressed
🧠 Anxiety and intrusive thoughts reduced
🧠 PCOS and hypothyroidism undetectable in labs
🧠 Increased energy and joy
🧠 Able to
I hesitate to talk about how going gluten-free eliminated my depression because it leaves people thinking they can just substitute with gluten-free products.
But the replacements are often just as bad- if not worse!
The less processed food I eat, the happier I am.
I grew up on fast food + processed junk. I ate Taco Bell or McDonald's at least 3x/week. If I ate at home, it was a grilled cheese or spaghetti. My diet was high in carbs-never protein or fat.
This American way of feeding our kids is a setup for poor mental health and obesity.
9 years ago I didn’t think I was going to make it. I had tried everything available for the severe depression and anxiety I experienced. None of it worked.
Then I discovered another path. I’m not saying it’s everyone’s path. And I’m not saying it’s a path free of struggle. But
I have a hard time making good food decisions when my son isn’t feeling well.
Yesterday was tough and I REALLY wanted gluten-free pizza for dinner.
But I know that much carbohydrate will kick me out of ketosis and leave me wanting more carbs.
So I did the opposite of what I
When I realized my doctors didn’t know how to help me, I decided to start doing my own research. I saved my life this way.
And now I’m doing the same for my son. The good news? It’s working!
When I realized I’d taken dozens of combinations of meds for years without getting better, I had to make a choice:
Give up
OR
Find another way
Spoiler Alert: I found another way. One that’s worked for me and many others.
And it starts with food.
I am a life-long sugar addict. I used to hide candy as a small kid. Everyone in my family knows I would eat all the sugar if it’s in the house. Eating high fat and ditching the carbs is the only thing that’s ever managed my cravings. They’re gone. This is a miracle.
Anxiety and depression drove me to destruction.
I had my first panic attack at age 7.
By age 13, I was both anxious and depressed.
I became bulimic. Later dependent on benzos. I drank—never for fun—but to try and calm the raging inferno of anxiety I lived with.
I had “the
Last week I went to a party. One of the moms talked about her sons severe ADHD. I watched as her 11 year old consumed multiple cokes, pizza, chips, and multiple desserts.
This is how I used to eat too. I had no idea it was contributing to my poor mental health.
Keto is what I’ve needed my entire life. I spent a week at the beach and didn’t have to battle cravings for sugar. Didn’t even miss it. Best part is how I could enjoy the entire trip without getting hangry or having carb crashes.
My neighbors propane tank exploded last night when he was turning on the grill.😬
I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little nervous turning on the blackstone now.
It’s pretty rare these explode, right?
Intrusive thoughts were my worst symptom after tapering antidepressants. They persisted for years once I was off meds.
A few weeks into a ketogenic diet and they were gone.
Last night a doctor with a large following called me a grifter because I share about how diet helped me and pills did not.
Let me present to you the ACTUAL grifters.👇
I asked the CVS Caremark CEO how much he’s charging for a $16 drug for multiple sclerosis.
Answer: $6,229.
Yeah, that‘s a 38,000% markup from this Fortune 10 PBM.
I took trazodone(a popular RX for sleep) for 20 years.
When I came off it I didn’t sleep. It took me 3 years to be able to sleep 3 hours. Eventually I started sleeping 4-5.
Ketosis has changed that. My sleep is deeper and longer. Last night was 9 hours!
#ketosis
#sleep
I share my story because I was the girl who people thought would die from “treatment resistant” mental illness. I had every resource available for help and none of it worked. I was told I would always struggle. Towards the end they said to apply for disability and get a service
@ChrisPalmerMD
For me that pizza would turn into pizza and ice cream. Then more the next day. Getting back on track would be very hard.
I have lots of experience with this.
It took multiple tries to quit smoking.
It took multiple tries to quit drinking.
It took multiple tries to quit gluten.
It took multiple tries to stick with keto.
The lesson is DO NOT GIVE UP! We can do hard things!💪
Saying that people can’t change their diets and stick to it is like saying…
Alcoholics can’t stop drinking alcohol…
Depressed people can’t stop being depressed…
People who don’t exercise can’t start exercising…
Have a little faith in people.
They just might surprise you.
Yesterday was my birthday and even though I was tempted to celebrate with a gluten-free treat, I found ways to make the day special that didn’t include food choices that would derail me.
Some might think this is too much. But those who “get it” will know it’s a WIN.
#grateful
People on the internet: If food is the cure, it wasn’t real depression.
Me: I tried dozens of medications, saw more providers than I can list, was inpatient at least 15 times over two decades, was told I’d always struggle with treatment-resistant depression.
Food can heal!
Why are so many holistic minded professionals against keto and low carb for women. “Carbs are essential for hormone balance” is something I hear all the time. And yet, all my hormone levels have improved on a ketogenic diet.🤔
Genuinely asking.
I tried over a dozen antidepressants for my “treatment-resistant” depression.
It went away within 3 days on a
#glutenfree
diet.
Been gluten-free & depression-free for 8 years now.
"Treatment resistant depression" (typically defined as 2 failed trails of ADs) was clearly coined to suggest a problem with the person rather than the approach
It was created in a biopsychiatric vacuum, where the possibility of another approach (e.g. therapy) wasn't on the radar
I’ve made the decision to stop trying to lose weight and to start focusing on building muscle.🏋️♀️
Pretty sure as the decades roll on I’ll be better off STRONG.💪
Thanks to all the amazing women on here who have inspired me.🫶
#letsgo
I can’t explain it, but when my brain is fueled with ketones, it’s like I’ve been set free.
Free from intrusive thoughts.
Free from having to try so hard.
Free from wondering why I struggle more than those around me.
Free from constant cravings.
#thankful
#keto
#ketosis
Your doctor is never going to say, “you know, I think all these pills I put you on are making you worse. Maybe you should find a doctor who looks for the underlying cause of your symptoms and can help you get off all these meds.”
If you want that you’ll have to find it yourself.
“Keto is complicated” -random comment
What? I was Paleo for 7 years prior to this. Keto is a walk in the park. I eat mostly meat and fat, a little dairy, and the occasional nut or veggie. How much simpler can you get? 🤷🏼♀️
Don’t ever stop believing you can recover. Don’t ever give up. Even if it feels completely hopeless- life is worth sticking around for. Your best days might be just around the corner.
I entered the mental health system at age 13.
At 18, I began pursuing an undergraduate degree in social work and psychology.
At 29, I went back to school for a Master's Degree in Social Work.
By 34, I realized that despite 20 years of treatment and over a decade of
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but changing your diet isn’t too hard and it’s never too late.
You can do this. And there’s a huge community here to support you.
I never received criticism for taking antidepressants or going to therapy. But when I share that I quit gluten for my mental health and that being in ketosis helps me- it can get intense! We have a long way to go in getting this message out- but we can’t give up!
#foodheals
I’ve had several people ask if I’ve considered a carnivore diet. The answer is yes, but for now I’m sticking with
#keto
. There’s something about the fat that is really helping my brain. I’ve struggled with severe OCD my entire life and it’s better than it’s ever been.