Eat Well to Feel Better: Food and Mental Health
Eat Well to Feel Better: Food and Mental Health
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”
― Virginia Woolf
These words by Ms. Woolf are truer than ever. How you think, feel and act is largely influenced by your diet. Yes, food and mental health have a close relationship and in this post, we’ll learn how what you eat determines how you feel.
Our brain is nourished by the food we feed it and if you feed it well, you feel well but if you feed it junk, you feel like, yes you’re right, junk!
Not just that food plays a huge role in how well you perform, concentrate, react, respond. There is growing evidence that food is linked closely to learning, mental health, behaviour and Types of Mental Health Problems .
Eat the Right Carbs For The Right Mental Health
Carbs or carbohydrate-rich foods generally get a bad rap by healthy eaters. However, not all carbs are created equal and there are complex, nutrient-dense carbohydrate-rich foods, like whole grains fruits, legumes, some vegetables that are actually good for you. Eating the right carbs can help boost tryptophan absorption in the body which in turn boosts serotonin {a known mood regulator} development in the brain.
Fight Depression AND Poor mental health with Fish
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are found in fish, flaxseed and walnuts. Omega-3 can help protect against depression. Fish again, is a good way to increase serotonin levels so it is a good idea to incorporate 2-4 servings of fish in your diet.
Avoid Junk Food
Although, we may seek comfort in that gooey slab of cake, all it does is set us up for a vicious cycle of highs and lows. The sugar gives you an instant high followed by a low and as a result you end up feeling tired, exhausted and irritable.
Get Outdoors and Get Moving
You know, what has an amazing impact on mood and mental health? Vitamin D. You know where you can get Vitamin D? Outdoors! Yes, get outside and soak in the sun. also, remember to get some exercise everyday. Exercise boosts endorphins or “feel-good” hormones and that’s what you want.. to feel good!
Do YOU think food is linked to mental health? Have YOU taken any Mental Health Assessment or a Mental Health Disorders Symptoms Quiz lately? Share with us in our Facebook community!
