How Healthy Eating can improve your Mental Health
by Laura Clipson
• Published 31/01/2022
Studies have found that eating a healthy, balanced diet can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. It can be tempting to reach for something easy and comforting when struggling with mental health issues, but this can make you feel worse in the long run.
- Eating healthily often comes with a sense of accomplishment, whereas eating something less healthy can come with feelings of guilt and shame, affecting your mental health in a negative way
- Studies have shown that there is a relationship between our gut health and our mental health, so eating healthily can not only make you feel better physically, but also mentally
- Various illnesses have been shown to be linked to an unhealthy diet. Eating healthily reduces your chances of developing these illnesses, and the mental health issues that may come with them
- Cook from scratch if possible - cooking can be therapeutic, as well as healthy. It’s always good to know exactly what’s going into your food, and making a meal yourself rather than getting a takeaway or having a ready meal can do wonders for your self-esteem.
- Ask for help from family and friends with food shopping/cooking if needed
- Try to have breakfast every day - this helps to get your metabolism going and can help with concentration, and encourages you to start the day as you mean to go on
- Ensure every meal contains protein to keep you fuller for longer
- Try to eat your 5 a day - tinned, frozen, dried and fresh fruits and vegetables all count towards this
- Try to avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners
- Drink more water - it’s important to stay hydrated
It’s important to remember that a healthy diet means a balanced diet. You don’t need to cut out all of the foods you love, just make sure you’re eating them in moderation. Regular exercise can also help to improve your mental health, read our recent post on this here:
How Exercise Can Improve Your Mental Health
Thank you for reading.
