Emotional Wellbeing

It’s hard to be aware of everything at once but, going through the motions can have a dangerous affect on your life. Have you paid attention to what you buy from the store, eat throughout the day, or even how much? What you eat can give you in site to someones mood. There is a food-mood connection and they can influence each other.

What we choose to eat can cause inflammation which can let us to feel symptoms of depression, stress, or pain. Being depressed or stressed can cause us to reach for comfort foods, which can add to the ongoing symptomatic cycle. Food should not make us feel sluggish or sleepy; it is supposed to give us energy.

Have you noticed what happens after you eat too much of your favorite food item- do you feel ready to take on the world? Or do you feel ready to take a nap, hungry again, cranky, stomach ache, or just low? Food is medicine and we should pay more careful to the foods we choose and how we prepare them. A study conducted by Kandiah, entitled Stress influences appetite and comfort food preferences in college women (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2005.11.010), suggested when stressed you are more likely to eat more sweet foods and burgers, pizza, tacos, candy and fast foods.

The comfort, processed, and sugary foods we love so much provoke inflammation in our bodies. This disturbs our sleep and contributes to negative emotions and emotional stress (Stress, Food, and inflammation: Psychoneuroimmunology and nutrition at the cutting edge by Janice Kiecolt-Glaser). There are also countless studies in the Journal of Public Health Nutrition, other journals/studies, articles, blogs, people, and WebMD warn consumers about the increased risk of eating processed foods, foods with added sugars, and fast foods. WebMD put it simply, “Dietary changes can bring about changes in our brain structure (chemically and physiologically), which can lead to altered behavior.”

Swapping out processed foods, fast foods, and foods with added sugar for healthier alternatives can and will have tremendous benefits not only to your physical health but mental and emotional heath as well. 

Fat, sugar, carbohydrates, and protein are vital nutrients needed to fuel our bodies at an optimal level. The This is when I suggest people take a look at their lives. Are you sedentary or active (mentally or physically)? We all do not require the same amount of each group to be healthy, we are different. It’s better to start making simple changes, cleaning up your diet, and begin listening to how food affects you.

A article from the world of psychology suggest we only need 8 teaspoons of sugar (approximately two pieces of fruit) and about no more than 12-20% fat a day to function.

Ask yourself: Fat is needed in the body; it protects organs and can be used for energy. Where and from What are your getting your fat from? The fat we receive from eating a burger is different than getting it from avocados, nuts, grass fed beef, or adding a tablespoon of olive oil to food. Eating carbohydrates from quinoa, legumes, lentils, chickpeas, or other beans are a healthy alternative to processed foods or fast foods. 

 A few examples of foods which increase energy and mood are: Salmon, Lentils, Kale, Nuts, Ginger tea, Quinoa, Goji berries, and asparagus to your diet. Make it interesting, don’t eat the same thing everyday. Try new things to give your tastebuds a variety. Making your diet colorful adds the variety your tastebuds need to stay on track.

The goal is to become more aware of our choices so, we can make better ones. It is ok to still enjoy Mac and Cheese at Thanksgiving, cake and ice cream, pumpkin pie, or our favorite cookies. If we begin to clean our systems and make healthier food choices; our bodies will moderate these items for us. We will only want just one. I encourage you to challenge yourself. Begin the process of slowly decreasing the amount of processed foods you buy, the amount of times you visit a fast food restaurant a week, and the amount of items with added sugar; feel the difference. Drink plain water, if the taste of water disgusts you add a squart of “real” lemon juice, a drop of lemon essential oil, or a drop of peppermint essential oil to enhance the taste.

The wonderful thing about cleaning up your diet is, the difference you feel. Information is only the first step, now it’s time to take action. Try it out for yourself.

Jasmine Hutchinson BSN, RN, PHN

If you’re looking for places to purchase natural, organic products or essential oils, check out my organic products page for links.

Disclaimer…This blog is intended solely to serve as a resource to health information and to provide you with basic information about the symptoms, cautions, safety concerns, natural remedies, DIY recipes, and nutritional concerns related to all aspects of health. This blog does not provide a comprehensive explanation of all aspects of any health condition or concern or even those aspects that are discussed in this blog. This blog is not intended to be–and you should not use it as–a substitute for medical advice or health care given by a licensed health care provider. Be sure to see a licensed health care provider to help ensure your health and the health and well-being of your family.