Diet and Eating Habits have an Impact on Our Mental Health.
What we eat affects not only our physical health, but also our mental health and well-being.
Eating well — that is, eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables and nutrients — can boost your sense of well-being and mood.
A balanced diet contains acceptable amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and other nutrients.
What is the relationship between diet and mental health?
The connection between our diet and our mental health is complicated. However, studies have found a link between what we eat and how we feel.
Eating healthily can make you feel better. You don’t have to drastically alter your diet, but see if you can implement some of these suggestions.
Eat frequently. This can prevent your blood sugar from dropping, which can make you tired and irritable.
Keep hydrated. Mild dehydration can have an impact on your mood, energy level, and ability to concentrate.
Consume the proper fat balance. To function properly, your brain requires healthy fats. They can be found in olive oil, rapeseed oil, nuts, seeds, oily fish, avocados, milk, and eggs. Trans fats, which are commonly found in processed or packaged foods, are bad for your mood and your heart health.
Increase your intake of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. They contain the vitamins and minerals that your brain and body require to function properly.
Include protein in every meal. It has an amino acid in it that your brain uses to help regulate your mood.
Take care of your digestive system. Your gut can reflect your mood: if you’re stressed, it may speed up or slow down. Fruit, vegetables, beans, and probiotics are examples of gut-healthy foods.
Consider how caffeine can affect your mood. It can disrupt sleep, especially if consumed close to bedtime, and some people report that it makes them irritable and anxious. Coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, and chocolate all contain caffeine.
Eating disorders involve more than just food. An eating disorder implies a difficult relationship with food. This includes eating too little or too much, as well as becoming obsessed with your weight or shape. Food can be used as a coping mechanism or to feel in control. They are complex mental health conditions that frequently necessitate the intervention of medical and psychological experts to change their trajectory.
Eating disorders are a group of psychological conditions that lead to the development of unhealthy eating habits. They may begin with a fixation on food, body weight, or body shape.
Several factors can contribute to eating disorders. Genetics, brain biology, personality traits, and cultural ideals are examples of these.
Eating disorders are mental health issues that usually necessitate treatment. They can also be harmful to the body if not treated.
If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, seek help from a healthcare practitioner who specializes in eating disorders.
- Really some food and habits support our mental health, click below for the YouTube videos.
References
6 Common Types of Eating Disorders -Written by Alina Petre, MS, RD (NL) on October 30, 2019 https://www.healthline.com
Diet and mental health — https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/d/diet-and-mental-health