"limit processed foods" sorry for thee typo

I've heard of it, and it's a good idea for anyone really, not only people with BP. My mom went off all processed foods some time back because of some food allergies and she was healthier than ever before, both mentally and physically.

As for helping with BP, I would thing the reasoning behind it would be to limit the input of chemicals into one's already chemically imbalanced body. There are probably some foods that would be better to stay away from than others, but from what I've read some doctors advice just staying away from them all since they can't yet pinpoint the exact chemicals that can lead to mania, etc.

Like every other BP treatment, I would just have to say that if it works for you, than it works! Like you said, it isn't a cure-all but if it even helps a little, it's probably worth it.

Good luck!

yes, i've heard it's a good idea for everyone. Fructose corn syrup [i hear] actually blocks your brains receptors that tell you when your full [i have not researched this one myself yet, but it's a chemically altered form of sugar so i avoid it] Partially hydrogenated oils have links to colon cancer. And Sugar and caffeine aren't good for anyone in large doses, but i hear it's especially bad for people with BP. When my mother [DXBP] is having a real bad time [usually lasting for months] i've noticed she has been eating/drinking sugar and caffeine in excess. i dunno if this trigger's it, or is just an effect of it. Normally she does not eat sugar AT ALL b/c she's noticed it's effect on her. She is also an alcoholic with 14 yrs sobriety [though i believe she secretly relapsed 3 yrs ago during one of those high sugar diet months]. She has told me a lot of peeps in the rooms started out as sugar addicts at a young age. I think that chocolate is not the problem, but the things added to it [caffeine & sugar + other chemicals]. Have you tried dark chocolate instead of regular?
I also know that a lot of sugar substitutes are pretty dangerous chemicals... Related to cancers, and al-timers [sp?]. So normally we try and get natural sweeteners with a slow break down [so that it won't spike blood sugar]. Thinks like honey, maple syrup, molasses, stevia root, etc... I actually like honey in my coffee now!! lol And i never bake with white processed sugar [unless of course it's home made cokies cuz...well =/ it's just not the same!]

Also eating as much raw fresh foods as possible is best. We actually live on a small farm so we eat a lot of very fresh foods right from harvest, i've noticed a difference during these months. We actually got a specialized green house to try and prolong the fresh foods season and have miniature fruit tree's and veggies for salads yr round. I've noticed a difference in her since we got the green house going [as long as someone's there to motivate her to eat our crops] Atkins actually talks a bit about processed foods in his diet theories [not saying i'm for atkins...but that is onething i like about his theories]

i hope this was helpful, lol and not just seeming like a rant from a health nut. believe me i'm very unhealthy! haha but i try sometimes.