Eat Nutritious Foods to Improve your Mood

Posted By: Stella Pike | September 2, 2022

Snacking on unhealthy foods when feeling melancholy or depressed is normal. But do you know it can worsen your disposition to an extent level? Eating healthier can improve stress and unhappy emotions.

The brain has long been seen as existing separately from the body. However, there is no denying how closely bound together the body and mind are. More and more proof has emerged about what we eat has a significant impact on how we feel, think, and act. According to the various pieces of evidences, our eating choices can have a huge impact on mental illnesses.

How well does Food Impact the Way we feel?

Filling your car with the correct fuel will help with efficiency and overall performance. The same goes for human anatomy.

According to a recent study, people’s levels of depression or anxiety decreased as they made more healthy dietary choices. The hippocampus, a crucial part of the brain involved in memory, learning, and mental health, is connected to food. Hippocampal volume is higher in people with healthy diets compared to those with insufficient diets.

Along with your brain, your stomach also affects your mood significantly. Your intestines process everything you ingest (gut). The gut microbiome is also referred to as the bacteria that live in your gut. Numerous processes essential to your health and well-being include these bugs. So support your mental health by consuming foods that benefit your gut microbiome.

How does the way we feel affect what we eat?

Usually, how we feel can also affect the food choices we make. We sometimes crave comfort food when we are tired, stressed or sad. It happens because our bodies crave momentary feel-good responses from those foods.

Mental illnesses like anxiety, depression or seasonal affective disorder can change the amount of food we eat. Few people eat more and turn to food for comfort. Others lose interest in food and eat less.

Medications for mental health issues by increasing or decreasing these factors can alter your appetite, food intake, and weight. Gains or loss in weight indicates poor nutrition since the brain requires glucose and other nutrients to function and regulate emotions.

If you are taking medications and side effects are worrying you. It is better not to stop taking the prescriptions without talking to your physician.

List of Foods that will improve the Mood

Healthy foods can set you with fewer fluctuations, an overall happier outlook and an improved ability to focus. An unhealthy diet can lead to a greater risk of dementia and heart disease. Here is an overview of the foods that can recover your whole disposition.

• Antioxidants: These anti-inflammatory compounds can be found in particularly high concentrations in berries, leafy green vegetables, turmeric, and foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and black chia seeds. Consume dark chocolate in moderation as it also contains sugar and antioxidants.
• Fibre: A fibre-rich foods from plants help your body absorb glucose, or dietary sugars, more gradually and prevent sugar spikes and crashes. Fruits, vegetables, and carbs high in nutrients, such as whole grains and legumes, are foods with dietary fibre.
• Fermented foods: Probiotics, which are specific living microorganisms beneficial for your digestive system, are abundant in fermented meals. Sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh, and the fermented beverage kombucha are a few examples. If you have high blood pressure, consume these meals in moderation or avoid them because they also frequently contain excessive amounts of sodium.
• Magnesium: This necessary mineral aids in maintaining a regular heartbeat as well as neuron and muscle function. But it’s also essential to the link between food and mood: A mineral shortage can harm your gut flora and result in feelings of despair and anxiety. Organic food sources include dark chocolate, cacao nibs, almonds, cashews, spinach, and other leafy greens, as well as bananas, beans, and nuts.
• Vitamin D: Serotonin production is aided by vitamin D, which we typically obtain from sun exposure. However, mushrooms, particularly reishi, cordyceps, and maitake, are an additional excellent source.
• Folate: Unlike sweets, which cause dopamine levels to increase, this particular vitamin B aids in dopamine synthesis. You can find it in cantaloupes, legumes, and leafy greens.
• Things to Cut Down: Reduce your intake of sugar, salt, and highly processed foods. You can manage your mood by avoiding alcohol if you are experiencing depression. Consider switching to sparkling water flavoured with lemon and mint instead of alcohol. You should speak with your doctor or dial the alcohol drug helpline if you or others believe you may be consuming too much alcohol.

Conclusion

If you are feeling anxious or depressed, you are most likely to eat more unhealthy food. It is better to have healthy eating habits which improve mental health as well as the well-being of the body. Consult a medical professional if you or someone you know is with mental illness.

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided above is only in text form; all additional website content, including photos, graphics, and other materials, is just for informational purposes. Nothing on this website is meant to be a replacement for qualified medical guidance, diagnosis, or care. Always ask your doctor or another medical professional for advice.