Food, Nutrition & Mental Health
FOOD & MOOD
Nutrition no doubt impacts mental health.
The lack of a nutrient dense diet can lead to or increase mental health problems. Optimal nutrition can improve brain health and heal the mind and body.
An individual's diet cannot be just "good" or "basic" to survive, rather, it must be nutrient dense and tailored to the individual for optimal brain function.
Often where there are mental health problems, there is a poor diet. And, where there is mental health issues there is often a long history of digestive problems.
Nutrition matters and it's the most important missing link to mental health in our society.
DIET ESSENTIALS
Mood follows food: Eat breakfast & stabilize your blood sugar.
Nourish the first brain & the second brain. The brain is made of 60% fat. It needs enough good quality fat, proteins, and carbohydrates to function.
Eat only when relaxed. Digestion occurs when the autonomic nervous system is turned on. The juices containing digestive enzymes increase in a state of relaxation and allow us to break down and absorb our food and key nutrients.
Where there is mental health issues, there is always a story of digestive and other health problems. These include, circadian rhythms, blood sugar and hypoglycemia, food allergies and sensitivities, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and methylation issues.
Eliminate exposure to additives, preservatives, hormones, toxic pesticides, and fertilizers on food.
No single diet is right for everyone. Each person has various cultural-genetic backgrounds and therefore different metabolisms.
Eat all the colors of the "rainbow." Eat whole, nutrient-dense foods from the whole color spectrum to get your nutrients.
Diet is essential, not sufficient. A healthy diet is essential for mental health, however, it is not sufficient to treat mental health conditions.
Chose healthy foods and nutrients vs. alcohol and drugs to alter consciousness.
Integrate behavioral changes strategies with the principle of adding nutritional substitutions. Add in positive, healthy behaviors to help reduce unhealthy, negative behaviors.
WHAT IS RECOMMENDED
- Manage blood glucose levels
- Eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, & snack before sleep
- Decrease stimulant foods or drinks, if you struggle with anxiety
- Reduce or eliminate sugar/refined processed foods
- Eliminate "enriched" foods
- Identify comfort foods
- Plan healthy substitutions by adding in healthier options to diet
- Listen to your body & monitor any mood, somatic, cognitive, or behavior changes with exposure to certain foods
- Please consult a dietician and/or primary physician for additional medical and dietary recommendations specific to you.