Morning, back to it!
I understand that a balanced diet shouldn't need any supplements but it is difficult to be objective about what exactly is a balanced diet. Some things that I think are good for me may in fact not. Also it doesn't allow for individual situations and bodies, some people may not be absorbing certain vitamins properly despite having them in their diet.
I do meal plan, I do freeze, I eat the things on moodogs list in varying quantities, brown pasta/rice. My difficultly with food is that DH is a bit of a fussy bugger so I don't necessarily eat the diet I used to eat when I lived alone.
Pruners, you agree that some problems can be caused by vitamin/mineral deficiencies and how it's pretty mainstream? Well that's all very well but my experience of drs are that they are quick to whip out the prescription pad and not to look at holistic care. So while nutritionists may be be quacks, but I'm not feeling much more confidence in the drs who talk to me for 5 mins and don't offer any practical advice just some pills. Why should I trust them any more than someone who talks to me for an hour and a half discussing many different aspects of my life.
Edam said: 'I'm a bit taken aback that even someone with a masters in neuroscience believes 'natural' is somehow better. There are plenty of natural substances that cause side effects - how about St John's Wort, for starters?' I don't necessarily believe natural is 'better', I just would like to seek a natural route first. I understand St John's Wort has side effects (I can't take it as I am bfing and on thyroxine meds). But you can 'know' things and still have differing opinions on them, just because I 'know' about the effects of chemicals it's doesn't mean they are better, that's a completely subjective opinion.
Scottishmummy: "is this not a psychological crutch, and symptomatic treatment rather than addressing any deficits" you think? Wow, at last someone who can read between the lines! Of course it is an emotional crutch, I've been saying that in not so many words. But the second part of that sentence is no different to the effect of antidepressants either. The drs can't take away the stresses and strains of my life all they are offering is symptomatic treatment, no emotional crutch chucked in for good measure. And sure, if they could refer me to a dietitian with a proper qualification and all that, well that would be great, but seeing as at this stage they won't even refer me to a counsellor I am thinking that the chances of my GP thinking out of the box and allowing me the opportunity to pursue this route are slim to none.
If the people on here who have had positive experience have found it to work then it doesn't really matter why it works, or how it works what matters is that they feel better. And that's all I want, is to feel better.