We all know that eating healthy, wholesome foods and exercising regularly have amazing health benefits for your energy levels, waistline and immunity to sickness and disease. But have you ever stopped to think about how a healthy lifestyle can affect your mental health? What are the effects-of-diet-on-mental-health?
Nutrition plays an important role in the development, management and prevention of many mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia, ADHD and Alzheimer’s disease. For optimal health you should be eating a well-balanced diet of fresh wholefoods. Different foods create different reactions in your body. Here are the foods you should be consuming for positive mental health.
Omega-3
Foods high in omega-3, including fish, flaxseed and walnuts, have been shown to reduce symptoms of a number of mental health disorders. Omega-3s assist in the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which are responsible for controlling our moods.
Whole grains
While simple carbohydrates including sugary foods, milk products and soft drinks are broken down quickly to create extreme highs and lows, complex carbs release glucose slowly to provide a more sustainable source of energy for your body and brain. Healthy sources of complex carbohydrates include oats, wild rice, beans and soy.
Lean protein
Lean protein sources including fish, eggs and beans help to keep your body’s serotonin levels balanced. Doc’s tip: make sure you’re not overdosing on protein. Aim to keep your protein portion to roughly the size of your palm.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens such as spinach, lettuces and broccoli are high in folic acid. Not consuming enough folate and other B vitamins has been linked with higher rates of depression, fatigue and insomnia. Beets and lentils are also a good source of folic acid.
The Doc’s menus are designed by a team of incredibly talented chefs and nutritionists and packed full of fresh, balanced wholefoods to ensure that you are getting all of the essential nutrients that your body needs and loves. Head to the Doc’s website today to order your choice of healthy-balance-meals, dairy-free-meals, gluten-free-meals, pescatarian-meals, vegetarian-meals, or vegan-meals. #thanksdoc
A healthy diet is just one contributor to a healthy lifestyle. If you are experiencing any symptoms of a mental health disorder, please contact your doctor immediately.
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