by Noah Henshaw edited by: Arron

 

We Are What We Eat and Apparently We Think Based on How We Eat Our Diet Impacts Our Mental Health

Science has begun to connect the correlation between the types of food we eat and the way it impacts our mood, can trigger anxiety, depression, affect sleep and trigger both positive and negative feelings in the body and mind. 

 

I have always heard people talk about “eating” their feelings and using food to change the way they are feeling or thinking at any given moment. It turns out, this is an actual scientific correlation. Smart-carbs can release serotonin in the brain and create a feel-good response to the environment. 

 

Foods that Foster Calm, Positive Mood and Decrease Depression and Anxiety:

WebMd talks about different types of smart carbs and how they alleviate depression and anxiety.  Medical News Today identifies 9 foods that help control anxiety: Brazil nuts, Fatty fish, Eggs, Pumpkin seeds, Dark chocolate. Turmeric, Chamomile, Yogurt, and Green tea .  The main thing that all of these have in common is proper nutrition and a balance to a healthy lifestyle

 

Of course, My favorite of these is Dark Chocolate. Makes me feel good to know that a ‘treat’ for my taste buds can also translate to a treat for my mind!

 

Conversely, foods that are ‘bad’ for our bodies, such as highly processed and fatty or ‘fast’ foods, also increase anxiety and depression in our mood and mind. The more you know about how to feed your body and your mind, the more you can do to support yourself on a daily basis.  

 

Other Foods that Feed the Brain Body Balance:

  • Turkey and other tryptophan-containing foods such as eggs, dark chocolate, cheese, pineapple, bananas, oats, and tofu.
  • Nuts, especially almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E. Vitamin E deficiency has been linked to mood disorders.
  • Chia seeds are also a good source of omega-3s.
  • Protein sources, such as lean meat, fish, nuts, and dairy all provide amino acids, which the body converts into the mood-lifting neurotransmitters, such as serotonin.
  • Spinach and Swiss chard are both high in magnesium.
  • Cinnamon provides anti-inflammatory properties

My grandfather used to say that common sense is not common. I know it seems like common sense to feed your body and brain foods that create and nourish a safe space in which to grow both body and mind. However, we must take it easy on ourselves and honor the fact that we may not always be in the best place to remember the basics. 

Any time you start a new habit, begin slowly with one thing at a time and add on as you are able. Small incremental changes in your diet can have huge impacts on your state of mind.