While most people understand that it's important to make good food choices to maintain a healthy weight, they may not realize that the foods they eat also impact our mental health.
When you think of working on improving mental health, things like meditation, stress reduction therapies and deep breathing exercises likely come to mind. But the foods we eat also impact our stress and anxiety levels.
Health experts recommend incorporating foods that are high in protein, complex carbohydrates, and antioxidants. Good carbs include whole grains, beans and brown rice and can help in the production of serotonin in your brain. Eating almonds and walnuts not only boosts your protein levels but your omega-3 fatty acids as well which are both associated with improved cognitive functions.
Foods you need to avoid are sugary foods, heavily processed foods, foods high in trans fats and alcohol. While all of these things might offer immediate "comfort", these foods lead to increased toxins, oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
So give your brain a boost as well as your mood and treat yourself to some healthy food selections.
