Have you ever wonder how nutrition impacts mental health? Think about those weeks where you haven’t been eating your best and you feel sluggish and maybe even a little sad. This is because what we fuel our bodies with directly affects our mental health. Sticking to a balanced diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables can not only help prevent certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer but can also offset the symptoms of depression and anxiety as well. This is how nutrition impacts mental health as well as physical health.
Sugar is not so sweet for mental health
Sugar is one of the most addictive chemicals in our foods. It’s no secret that reaching for a piece of candy or a cookie when we are feeling down can pick us up in the short term, however studies have shown that the long-term effects of sugar in our diets lead to inflammation and stress on our bodies. We should limit our intake of sugar. This nutritional component definitely impacts mental health as well as physical health.
Gut health impacts our mental health
Did you know that 95% of serotonin is produced in your gut? Serotonin is known as the sleepy hormone (precursor to melatonin), but this is also what helps regulate our appetite and mood. The good bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract help us absorb the nutrients in our food and reduce inflammation. When our gut becomes inflamed, it places stress on our bodies and that directly affects brain function. To support your gut health, it is important to include probiotics, fruits, and vegetable into your diet. Probiotics help reduce the inflammation in your gut and help protect your intestinal lining. You can find probiotics in foods like yogurt, kimchi, kefir, and kombucha but you can also take them as a supplement. Talk with your physician to find one that is right for you.
Support is Key to Success
Making lifestyle changes all at once can feel overwhelming especially with all the conflicting noise on the internet. Humans are hardwired to need support; seek it both personally and professionally. Get a free 30-minute phone consultation. See if this is the right match for you by addressing natural weight loss, cravings, emotional eating, balanced diet, disease prevention, nutrition, and getting to the root cause of what’s keeping you stuck. See what others are saying on Google and Yelp.
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~ Samantha Hua, Nutrition Coach, Holistic Health Coach & Weight Loss Coach
