Does this sound familiar? You come home from work (or in this era of Covid, where you have been home all day, and it’s been a long day) and low and behold you find yourself in front of the TV, mindlessly digging ice cream out of the container with a spoon. Do you know that how you feel (your mood) and the foods you eat can sometimes be linked. Sometimes we eat for comfort, sometimes to cure depression or anxiety, and sometimes to curb our anger and other emotions. Did you know that the relationship between what we eat and how we feel are linked. Eating unhealthy foods can be a cause of mood swings. Too much fat and sugar often lead to blood sugar fluctuations and nutritional imbalances. And without a steady source of fuel from the foods we eat, our mind and bodies don’t function well.
However, studies show that eating a healthy diet can improve our overall mood and our health. Good nutrition is important to mental health. In addition, the right amount of sleep and physical exercise should not be overlooked!
If you feel that the foods you eat are not supporting your mental health, here are some changes you can make:
Eat at set intervals throughout the day
Choose less refined sugars and eat more whole grains
Include protein at each meal
Eat a variety of foods
Include omega-3 rich foods, like oily fish, in your diet
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
Get regular exercise
Get good sleep
We are what we eat! If you ever want to discuss your food and how it relates to your mood and to your health, I am here for you!