Mind Food - An Introduction to Eating for good Mental Health

Eating for good mental health

by Gabriele Fantelli

Sometimes mental health issues have a lot to do with the poor functioning of physical organs. Depression, for example, has been often linked to the poor functioning of the digestive system. Having a good diet and a healthy lifestyle always helps, but it is definitely vital to a mental health issue sufferer.

There are many foods that could help people manage their moods and state of mind in a better way.

The natural way

Herbal remedies and other food ingredients have been used for hundreds of years in many different ways, to better our physical and mental health. Obviously they do not substitute expert medical advice and we should always consult our doctor, especially if we are taking any medication. Get great offers from Bydiscountcodes.co.uk while buying online food and drinks.

What we eat effects our mind and body

Fatty acids and blood sugar imbalances, as well as, lack of vitamins and minerals in our diet, have been linked to mental health problems.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is an artificial flavouring and aspartame is an artificial sweetener, these are added to many processed foods and they are known as excitotoxins. These are often linked to a variety of unwanted side effects including: headaches, dizziness, palpitations and some research have shown excitotoxins may exacerbate many neurological disorders.

It is also proven that allergies and intolerances to certain ingredients, even mild ones, can affect our body and mind. If you feel you may have food intolerances, it is then definitely wise to talk to your GP about having a test.

What can we do to eat for best mental health?

Eating regular meals, maintaining blood sugar levels, eating a good combination of different nutrients and substituting refined carbohydrates for complex ones, can make a real difference in our physical and mental health.

Also eating as much natural products as possible will cut down our consumption of additives. All these terms may sound complicated, but really it is all about implementing small, easy but very effective changes that, over time, will become good and healthy habits.

We explore all these dietary issues in more detail over the coming issues of Uncovered magazine and online. We will also learn more about the mental well-being “super foods”, which ones to use, what they can do for us and how to implement them in our everyday diet, in simple and delicious recipes to try at home.

Recipes to try

Why not look at our delicious recipes all designed to be great food for the mind. We could boost our Omega 3 with a beautiful salmon dish, help our immune system with our Salsa Verde, even finish it off by enjoying some food for the soul and mind, with our healthy and delicious apple and raisin cake... We have many delicious recipes to try and add more all the time.

This article was published in issue 1 of Uncovered magazine.