Mental health has been linked to nutrition for many years and the lack of nutrition in your diet can lead to mood swings, depression, and bouts of anxiety. What you eat effects your mind and thoughts everyday, and many of us do not seem to acknowledge this. We seem to keep hearing about certain fruits and vegetables that can help improve mood and boost the body’s general happy feeling everyday, but many of these become fleeing thoughts and do not stay with us.
Depression is known as a mood disorder and affects people from every walk of life. It is a common disorder that people have been dealing with for years. There has also been a mood disorder link between sugar and white flour products. This is because sugar, white flour products, and alcohol are all depressants. They give a quick feeling of elation and then moods can change rapidly, or overnight to depressive and negative thoughts. If you are suffering from depression you might want to look at changing your diet, limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake, or stop drinking alcohol all together.
Mood disorders come in all forms, and can differentiate between one person to the next. There is a psychological pattern between food items and mood. It can become a vicious circle as many people over eat because they are depressed, or depressed because they over eat. Sugar and white flour have also been called addictive for some, as the more people consume of either, or both, the more they feel withdrawal symptoms such as headaches when they stop.
People have been known to become irritable, sad, or moody, just as when people stop drinking alcohol, smoking, and even stop their caffeine intake.
Most notably, quitting smoking can initially lead to withdrawal symptoms in people, because their brain is used to receiving chemicals from cigarettes including nicotine that they are no longer receiving.
Moods can become affected by high blood sugar, food intolerances, loss of minerals and vitamins. This is why doctors recommend taking a multivitamin along with natural sources throughout the day. Vitamins and minerals maintain proper levels and can keep someone feeling at ease and less anxious. Sometimes keeping a food journal is a good idea. This can help you take note of the healthy foods you consume, and the ‘not so healthy’ ones. Becoming aware of how your daily diet affects your mood can help people on their first step to a happier, fuller life.
Some tips on how to have a balanced diet to help your mood are:
• Differentiate bad fats and good fats. Bad fats are satured and trans fats, while good fats contain polysaturated and monosaturated fats. For people experiencing mood disorders, Omega 3 fatty acids have been beneficial for mind functioning and a general state of happiness.
• Always drink a lot of water every day for hydration of the body and mind. Doctor’s recommend eight 8 ounce glasses a day.
• Get your daily dose of calcium. If you are lactose intolerant, try taking calcium supplements for strong teeth and bones. You can also eat broccoli and fish for calcium.
• Eat protein. Try to fit meats, nuts, eggs, seeds and cheese for a healthy portion of this essential food group.
• People with mood disorders should try to avoid alcohol and even caffeine. Both substances can play with your mood and eventually make mood swings occur.
• Tryptophan is used to create serotonin. Serotonin alleviates depression and negative moods.
• Selenium is associated with mood enhancement. Ask your doctor about it and where you might be able to find it in supplement form.
• Try eating a variety of natural chocolate, bananas, meat and fish for mood enhancement as tryptophan is found in these items.
