In the globe, there are two distinct categories of people. Secondly, there are people who, when under stress, consume whatever that comes to hand. Then there are those who fully give up eating. Binge eating, comfort eating, and other behaviors can all be part of our emotional reaction to food. But did you know that your mood is also influenced by how and what you eat? Because of this, going for that sweet bar while you’re down might not be the smartest move. This is why.
Fuel is food
Your brain works around-the-clock. Whether you are awake or asleep, it is constantly at work supporting your movements, breathing, and so much more. But what powers this engine? of course, food. To work properly and perform its finest functions, your brain needs energy.
Where did you obtain those calories, does it matter?
Yes! Consider your intellect to be a vehicle. If you give that engine poor gasoline, it won’t take long for it to start sputtering or you might even notice it doesn’t travel as far.
You’ll have a longer, smoother ride if you switch that out for high-quality items. Which one do you like best?
Look, your body is no different. You’ll feel bad after consuming low-quality fuel, those empty calories from processed foods that are high in fats, carbohydrates, and other unpleasant ingredients. A bad diet has long been associated with:
- low quantities of energy
- mood problems
- persistent health problems
- poor immunological response
- Now replace that with the best materials. The fruits, veggies, etc., you know. See out what those minerals and vitamins can do.
Foods that can improve (and worsen) your mood
You are aware of the fundamentals, but let’s go over and clarify. Which food groups should you eat to feel good.
A good
- Fresh produce and fruits
- Nuts
- Foods high in fiber
- Grains
- Protein
- Dietary supplements such as magnesium
The poor
- High levels of processing
- Swift food
- A snack and crunch
- Many sugars
- Excessive caffeine
Three ways your diet can effect how you feel
The next day, you could see a correlation between your mood and that fast-food takeout, but this is only the surface level. Here is the skinny on diet vs. mood.
1. Anxiety and appetite
Your body releases cortisol when you are under stress. The flight or fight hormone is what is known as this. While it aids your body in fending off any perceived “attack,” in exchange, it zaps energy from the body and lowers blood sugar levels.
You may experience fatigue and exhaustion following the initial high (stress). This effect can be enhanced if the pressure is persistent. For instance, you can have a craving for chips or other munchies during a challenging study session.
Following this result, the body generates the hormone glucocorticoids to make up for its losses. To replenish the depleted energy supply is their job. How do they achieve this? making your body yearn for sugar and carbohydrates to replenish what it has lost.
2. Greetings, serotonin
The hormone serotonin promotes happiness. It supports the body’s ability to control food, mood, sleep, and even how you experience pain. If you don’t have enough of this hormone, you could experience tension, irritability, fatigue, and cravings for carbohydrates and sweets.
The catch with this beneficial hormone is that it is 95% of the time produced in the digestive system. In other words, what you consume has an impact on how you produce it. Unhealthy eating habits can cause the gut flora to become inflamed, which will stop serotonin from being produced.
You’ll feel lot better if you eat well. Traditional diets that prioritize fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish, like the Mediterranean and Japanese diets, promote the growth of beneficial gut flora and control serotonin production.
3. It’s a true hanger
missed lunch, skipped breakfast, and arrived too late for dinner? Right now, you might be a little irritated, don’t you think? That’s hungriness.
When you are hungry, your blood sugar levels decrease and you become fatigued. Your body therefore attempts to stop this sensation as soon as it arises. In order to restore those levels, the body releases cortisol and epinephrine. Irritability is a side effect. Either cortisol or epinephrine can make you feel pessimistic.
The body then alerts you that it is time to eat. It uses Neuropeptide Y among other things to accomplish this. This hormone makes you feel more aggressive while signaling to your body that it is time to eat. Put all of these things together, and you have one angry person.
Bad diet summary
Let’s keep things easy. The relationship between diet and mood is shown here.
1. Hungry?
To counteract the symptoms of starvation and let you know it’s time to eat, your body releases hormones. You can feel agitated, hungry, and seeking all those unhealthy carbohydrates and carbs due to the hormones it releases.
2. Ate a nasty meal?
Your body and mind suffer when you eat unhealthy meals, especially over an extended period of time. Foods that are highly processed and those that are high in fats and sugars have a chemical reaction in your body and mind that makes you crave more of them but ultimately lowers your mood.
So, what can you eat when you’re anxious that won’t mess up your diet but yet makes you feel better?
Best foods for a good mood
Forget about quick fixes in this situation. Although they can ease your current discomfort immediately away, there is no better assurance than once you’ve given it some time. You’ll be somewhat irritable. That’s because your blood sugar levels went up and down as a result of the quick cure.
So instead of stuffing your body and brain with sugar or starving them, choose your snacks wisely. Snacks that are healthy and nourishing might improve your memory and mood so you feel more like yourself. Among the best are these.
1. Nuts
Nuts are rich with nutrients essential for your mental (and physical) existence and satisfy your yearning for something crunchy. They contain magnesium, which is essential for reducing stress, omega 3, which alleviates depression, tryptophan, which promotes equilibrium, and selenium (for brain power).
2. A deep chocolate
Do you enjoy sweets? Despite your tension, you shouldn’t prevent yourself from eating dark chocolate because it has many positive attributes. In addition to being loaded with antioxidants, dark chocolate also increases serotonin.
3. Strawberries
Nothing can lift a sour mood like a vibrant summer berry. A strawberry should be your go-to snack even though it may not currently be. Strawberries have a lot of fiber and vitamin C, which can lower blood cortisol levels and lower stress levels in the body.
4. A Rooibos tea
If you’re feeling off, it’s time for a brew. It’s rich in flavor and red in color. There are many things a small cup of tea can accomplish, notwithstanding the British belief that it can cure all ills. When under stress, drinking Rooibos tea can help lower stress hormones. Also, it works wonders against fat. Aspalathin, which is present in it, prevents the growth of new fat cells.
5. Eggs
Poached, scrambled, and boiled. Choose a style. Protein and vitamin D in eggs assist to balance blood sugar, make you feel satisfied, and may have an impact on feel-good hormones. For a satisfying snack that relieves tension and is healthy, combine this with avocado and whole-grain toast.
