We all know the correlation between food and body weight, but are you aware that what and when you eat affects your mood. Here are some facts and tips provided by Mind.org to increase mental focus, improve mood, increase energy, and calm the mind.
Motivation for Change:
How regularly do you eat?
If your blood sugar drops you might feel tired, irritable and depressed. You need to eat regularly to keep your sugar level steady, and choose foods that release energy slowly.
Slow-release energy foods include: protein foods, nuts and seeds, oats and whole grains.
Quick tips
Eating breakfast gets the day off to a good start.
Instead of eating a large lunch and dinner, try eating smaller portions spaced out more regularly throughout the day.
Avoid foods which make your blood sugar rise and fall rapidly, such as sugary snacks, sugary drinks, and alcohol.
Do you get your 5 a day?
Vegetables and fruit contain a lot of the minerals, vitamins and fiber we need to keep us physically and mentally healthy.
Eating a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables every day means you’ll get a good range of nutrients – several portions of the same type of food won’t be so good for you.
Quick tips
Tomatoes, mushrooms and bananas all contain high levels of potassium which is essential for your whole nervous system, including your brain.
Try eating some vegetables raw, as cooking can destroy some vitamins.
Do you keep yourself hydrated?
If you don’t drink enough water, you may find it difficult to concentrate or think clearly. You might also start to feel constipated (which puts no one in a good mood).
Good drinks include: water, herbal or green tea, or diluted fruit juice.
Quick tips
You need at least two pints of water daily to stay hydrated – some water is in your food, but you need to drink the rest.
Ordinary tea and coffee don’t count, because the caffeine in them makes you need the toilet. Alcohol and sugary drinks like fruit squash or cola don’t count either.
For more information visit mind.org.uk
