{"id":3704,"date":"2024-01-22T12:55:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-22T18:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marvelousminds.net\/?p=3704"},"modified":"2024-02-07T13:04:03","modified_gmt":"2024-02-07T19:04:03","slug":"food-mood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marvelousminds.net\/food-mood\/","title":{"rendered":"Food and Your Mood"},"content":{"rendered":"
Virginia Woolf once said, \u201cOne cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well\u201c. Truer words have never been spoken. Since my last two articles were about the cognitive and emotional benefits of sleeping well, I thought I would shift the focus to another part of Ms. Woolf\u2019s maxim, eating well. Like gas in a car (or coffee in a parent) the food we eat fuels our entire system, from head to toe. It is no surprise, then, to consider that our moods are influenced by the fuel in which we feed our bodies.<\/p>\n
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The GBA, or Gut-Brain Axis, is a communication pathway between the brain and the gut microbiota. Neurotransmitters, hormones, and immunological factors that directly impact mental health are released from the gut and sent to the brain along this axis. SImilarly, stress responses such as inflammation are sent from the brain, right back down into the gut, wreaking havoc on our digestive tract. Researchers have found compelling evidence that dysbiosis, or imbalance, as well as inflammation in the gut are linked to causing several mental illnesses including anxiety and depression. This link is critical because 1 in 4 adults and almost 1 in 5 children suffer from anxiety and\/or depression.<\/p>\n
There have been so many (often conflicting) public service announcements, diets, and propaganda on what is healthy; it can be very confusing! Fats are bad, carbs are bad, drink milk, don’t drink milk\u2026 It is overwhelming to try to sift through and make sense of all of the information out there. So let\u2019s keep it simple. First, think about the basic macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates (carbs), and fats. We need them all and want to ensure the highest quality of each. Next, keep in mind that whole, simple, natural unprocessed forms of any food are going to be best. With processing, even just canning or freezing, many foods lose vital nutrients. Not to mention, we want to eat the food itself, not a bunch of fillers and preservatives!<\/p>\n
Proteins are the basis for neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that help regulate our thoughts and emotional states.They also keep us full longer which helps curb cravings for processed sugary snacks that trigger anxiety and depression. Eggs, turkey, and almonds contain some of the highest levels of essential proteins. For our vegetarian and vegan friends, seitan (made from gluten, the protein found in wheat), tofu, tempeh, and edamame (all soybean based), quinoa, lentils, and chickpeas and other beans are all excellent mood-boosting sources of protein.<\/p>\n
Carbs help to balance our blood sugar levels, preventing hormone imbalances which tend to leave us irritable or \u201changry\u201d. Sweet and regular potatoes, legumes, dark leafy greens, and whole grains are among the best complex carbs for boosting mood.<\/p>\n
Our brains are composed of about 60% fat and \u201cgood\u201d fats support brain function and integrity, facilitate neurotransmitter production, and reduce inflammation (caused by stress). Avocados, salmon, chia, and ghee (clarified butter) are excellent choices of \u201cgood fats\u201d.<\/p>\n
There are also many nutrients that have a direct impact on our mood. The spectrum of B vitamins support the nervous system, aid in overall brain health, and help alleviate stress. There are 8 different B vitamins, collectively called the B complex, which consist of thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12) and each have different health benefits. B vitamins can be found in dark leafy greens, salmon, eggs, beef and other meats (especially organ meats), oysters, clams, and mussels, legumes, yogurt, nutritional yeast, fortified cereal, trout, and sunflower seeds.<\/p>\n
Adaptogens are plants that are used to relieve stress and restore homeostasis. They help us adapt to stress by supporting the adrenal glands (repsonsible for stress and sex hormones) and the central nervous system (improving mood, energy, and cognition). Used since ancient times, they are making a resurgence in modern medicine and can be used in teas, tinctures, elixirs, smoothies, nut and seed milks, snacks, desserts, soups, and stews. Some excellent adaptogens are maca, reishi and chaga mushrooms, ginseng, ashwagandha, rhodiola, and licorice.<\/p>\n
FIrst, plan ahead! Spend an hour on the weekend deciding what you want to eat for the week and make your grocery list. If you have a chunk of time, prep as much of it as you can. For example, you can chop all of the veggies you need for the week, make \u201csnack packs\u201d and lunches for eating on the go, and make sure your family members are helping out. These are life-skills, they may as well start learning them now! If you are making something like soup, chili, or pulled pork- make enough for several meals. Keep one in the fridge and freeze the rest. Now when life gets crazy, you have a delicious healthy meal to defrost and eat! Even better, get your friends to join in and batch cook for each other! Like a cookie exchange for healthy meals! Another shortcut is to grill up a bunch of chicken breasts, salmon, or a turkey breast- now you have a great lean protein source for the week to make sandwiches, throw in a salad, make tacos, or just snack on.<\/p>\n
Here is a sample meal plan.<\/p>\n
Enjoy!<\/p>\n
Yours In Health,
Dr. L<\/p>\n
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How Diet Affects Your Emotional State Virginia Woolf once said, \u201cOne cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well\u201c. Truer words have never been spoken. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,25],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n