Your choice of snacks from the pantry can have a significant impact on your mood. Dr. Naomi Parella, the Chief of Lifestyle Medicine at RUSH University Medical Center, emphasizes the connection between mood and food.
During stressful or sad moments, people often turn to comfort foods, but Dr. Parella warns against the potential harm of sugary foods. She explains that these foods can lead to unhealthy fluctuations in blood sugar levels, prompting the body to release insulin to lower these levels. However, excessive insulin can inhibit the body’s ability to burn fat, leading to instability in blood sugar levels. This roller coaster can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, mental fog, and fatigue.
Moreover, sugar can be addictive, triggering dopamine surges similar to those seen with other addictive substances. Once addicted to sugar, individuals constantly seek more but are never fully satisfied, leading to mental instability and fatigue due to sugar crashes.
Dr. Parella advises reducing sugary foods and paying attention to your beverage choices, emphasizing the importance of water. The brain is primarily composed of water, protein, fats, salts, and proteins, which it uses to communicate with the rest of the body. To support mental health, it’s crucial to ensure your brain is adequately supplied with the essentials it needs.
In addition to staying hydrated, Dr. Parella recommends consuming a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and proteins, particularly amino acids from animal proteins or equivalent supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for mental health.
Dr. Parella acknowledges that a low-carb diet may be suitable for some individuals. She also suggests exploring intermittent fasting, which restricts eating to a specific daily window, such as a 16-hour fast followed by an 8-hour eating window.
While grocery shopping, consider the potential impact on your mental health by making healthier food choices. Dr. Parella emphasizes that individuals have the power to positively influence their mental health through mindful dietary decisions, dispelling the notion that mental health is beyond one’s control.
In summary, your choice of food and drink can have a significant impact on your mental well-being. Making informed choices, staying hydrated, and consuming a balanced diet can contribute to improved mental health and overall well-being.
