Feed your Mental Health with the Right Fuel
Your brain needs constant fuelling
Everything you think, feel and do comes from your brain working hard to make this all happen. It gets its fuel from the food you eat.
If you put bad quality fuel in your car, it’s going to function poorly. The same goes with what you fuel your body with. If you put bad quality food in your body, it won’t function as well.
For your brain to function at its best, it needs food full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Healthy food tells your brain to feel happy
95% of the hormone that makes you feel happy is produced in your gut.
Serotonin is a hormone made in your gut which then travels up to your brain and signals happy feelings.
Most of your body’s serotonin is produced in your gut by the bacteria that reside in there. These bacteria can only thrive and survive if they receive the right fuel from your food!
Food and Mental Health Status
People who eat lots of processed foods and refined carbohydrates have been shown to experience lower mood and higher anxiety and depression.
People who eat lots of fruit, veggies, wholegrains, legumes with some dairy, lean meat and seafood and very little processed foods have shown to experience lower levels of depression and anxiety!
Fuel for your Feelings
Try to cut back on the amount of processed foods you’re eating and increase the amount of whole fresh foods. See if you can notice a difference in how you feel!
Next time you go to grab a snack when you’re feeling a bit down or stressed out, think about what type fuel you will be delivering to your brain….. Is it going to be poor quality food that may make you feel worse or good quality food that’s going to help produce more happy hormones?
Check out these healthy snacks that will boost your mood!
Quick Snacks
Veggie sticks and Dips
Carrot, cucumber and capsicum sticks with choice of 1 ½ TBSP:
- Smashed avocado, lemon juice, salt & pepper
- Hummus
- Cream cheese, dill, lemon juice, salt & pepper
Yoghurt toppings
1/3rd cup of natural or Greek yoghurt with choice of:
- Mixed nuts and seeds (30g or a small handful)
- Peanut butter (1/2 TBSP) and banana
- Mixed berries or chopped fresh fruit (1 cup)
