Eat Well. Stay Well. Article

Do you ever wonder how to get rid of that niggling bad mood? This article will tell you about the Good Mood Foods and what to avoid..

Research into healthy eating and the effects on mental health has enlightened everyone about what particular foods really do for us. Not only are foods good for us physically, they have effects on our mental state meaning some can bring our moods down, whereas some can lift our moods and make us feel better in ourselves.

One of the most common complaints we say on a daily basis is “I’m tired” and the most widely used method to improve this is by consuming caffeine which can be found in tea, coffee, coca cola, energy drinks and chocolate, however too much caffeine can lead to symptoms of anxiety and nervousness. CAFFEINE ISN’T THE ANSWER. The reason for feeling tired is very unlikely due to a lack of caffeine and more likely because of a lack of iron in the foods we eat. This can make you feel weak, tired and lethargic – this could explain why those days at college seem to be the hardest things in the world. Eating red meat, poultry and fish can improve this. 

WATER, WATER, WATER –  we always hear about how drinking water can make us feel better in ourselves and keep our body healthy, but it can also improve your concentration. This is due to avoiding dehydration, which causes the brain to shrivel – shortening the concentration span – drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day will keep your brain in tip-top shape!

CHOCOLATE CAN BE GOOD FOR YOU – eating dark chocolate in small amounts on a daily basis can improve stress levels. This is because dark chocolate is full of anti-oxidants which lowers cortisol. Cortisol is strongly linked to stress as the hormone increases in stressful situations. This doesn’t mean exam season = eat lots of chocolate!!

WHEN YOU HAVE A HEADACHE - avoid eating foods which are high in sodium and food additives such as salted peanuts.

Refined and added sugars are linked to poor concentration, mood swings, hyperactivity, aggression, nightmares, cravings, panic attacks, asthma, allergies, tiredness and anxiety. These are fast effecting carbs that create an energy burst for a short time followed by a sudden slump in mood.

AVOID: puddings and deserts, chocolate, ice cream, sugar-coated cereals, ready meals, takeaways, sugary/energy drinks.              

HAVE MORE: porridge oats, home-baked breads and biscuits, fruit and water.

Chemicals in our brains such as serotonin which is commonly linked to depression are affected when we eat particular foods as abnormal reactions can occur. This often happens when we eat foods containing artificial chemicals in foods such as colourings and flavourings. This means avoiding foods such as crisps, fizzy drinks and canned foods as these all have additives in them which can react with your brain and have negative effects on your mood.

So now you know the truth. You know that eating healthy doesn’t just affect you physically, but mentally as well.

For extra hints and tips on how to keep your WHOLE body healthy: