There are two kinds of people in this world. There are two types of people in the world. The first is those who, when they feel stressed, eat everything that is within their reach. Some stop eating altogether when they feel stressed. Food can also influence emotions such as binging, comfort eating, and other eating behaviors. Did you know that what and how you eat can also affect your mood? It’s not good to reach for the candy bar when you feel low.
Fuel is food
Your brain is a 24-hour machine. It is always working behind the scenes to help you feel, breathe, and move.
What fuels this powerhouse? Of course, food. To function properly and do its best, your brain needs calories.
Is it important where you get your calories? Yes! Your brain is a vehicle. Low-quality fuel will cause it to stumble quickly, or it might not go as far.
You’ll have a smoother, longer ride if you switch to high-quality material. Which would you choose?
The same applies to your body. You’ll feel awful if you add low-quality fuel and empty calories from refined foods high in fats, sugars and other undesirable things. A poor diet has long been linked to:
- Low energy levels
- mood disorders
- Long-term health problems
- Low immune system
Switch that to high-quality stuff. The fruits and vegetables, you know. See what vitamins and minerals can do.
Good and bad food choices for your mood
We know the basics. Let’s go over it again. What types of food are best for you?
The good
- Fresh fruits and veggies
- Nuts
- High-fiber foods
- Grains
- Protein
- Micronutrients such as magnesium
The bad
- Highly processed foods
- Fast food
- Snacks and crisps
- Sugary lots
- Too much caffeine
Three ways that what you eat can affect your mood
While you might be able to feel the connection between fast food and your mood, what is happening behind the scenes? Here’s the scoop on diet and mood.
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Stress and cravings
Cortisol is released when you are stressed. This hormone is also known as the fight or flight hormone. It helps your body deal with any ‘attack’ it perceives. However, it grabs energy and causes a drop in blood sugar.
You might feel tired and depleted after the initial stress (or high). This effect may be amplified if the pressure is prolonged. You might find yourself craving chips and other snacks during difficult periods of study.
The body releases glucocorticoids to help it recover its losses. They are responsible for restoring energy lost. How can they do that? Make your body crave sugar and carbs to recover what it has lost.
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Say hello to serotonin
It is a feeling-good hormone. It regulates sleep, mood, appetite, and pain. You might feel tense, irritable and tired if you lack this hormone.
This helpful hormone is produced almost exclusively in the digestive system (95%). This means that what you eat can impact your ability to make it. Unhealthy eating can cause inflammation in your gut microbiome and inhibit the production of serotonin.
You’ll feel better if you eat right. Traditional diets such as the Mediterranean or Japanese, which emphasize fresh fruits and vegetables and seafood, promote good bacteria in your gut and regulate serotonin production.
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Hanger is real
You skipped breakfast, missed lunch, and didn’t get back in time to eat dinner. Maybe you feel angry right now. That’s hangry.
Your blood sugar levels drop when you are hungry. This can make you feel tired. Your body will attempt to stop this feeling by doing the following: It releases cortisol, epinephrine and other hormones into the body to increase those levels. Side effect: Irritability. You can feel grumpy with both cortisol and epinephrine.
The body then sends signals that it is time for you to eat. It uses Neuropeptide Y and other hormones to do this. This hormone tells your body it’s time to eat, but it also makes you more aggressive. These two hormones can be combined to create a hungry person.
Bad diet wrap up
Let’s be simple. Let’s look at the relationship between diet and mood.
Hungry?
Your body releases hormones that reduce hunger and signal your body it’s time for food. You may feel hungry and irritable from the hormones your body releases.
Have you ever done something wrong?
Consuming unhealthy foods for long periods can harm your mind and body. High-fat, high-sugar foods, and processed foods, can have a chemical reaction in your body and mind. This causes you to crave more and lowers your mood over time.
The best good-mood food
These quick fixes are not the best. While they may provide relief right away, it’s not a guarantee that you will feel better in the long term. You will feel quite crabby. Your blood sugar levels will fluctuate quickly due to the fast fix.
Don’t overindulge your body and brain with sugary treats. Instead, eat healthy snacks. You will feel more like you are if you eat healthy, nutritious snacks. These are the top recipes.
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Nuts
Nuts are a great snack for satisfying a sweet craving. They are rich in magnesium, omega 3 (helps reduce stress), tryptophan (good for balance), and selenium for brainpower.
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Dark chocolate
Do you have a sweet tooth? Dark chocolate is great for stress relief. Dark chocolate stimulates serotonin, in addition to being rich in antioxidants.
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Strawberries
A bright summer berry is the best remedy for bad moods. A strawberry is not the best snack to eat when you’re having a bad day. However, it should be. Strawberries are high in fiber and rich in vitamin C, which can help reduce stress levels.
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Rooibos tea
If you feel unwell, try a cup of tea. It’s rich in flavor and red in color. Although it may not be true 100%, the British believe that tea can heal everything. Stress hormones can be reduced by drinking Rooibos Tea. It’s also a great fat-fighter. It is rich in aspalathin, which prevents the formation of new fat cells.
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Eggs
Boiled, scrambled, poached. You can choose your preferred style. Eggs are rich in vitamin D and protein and can help stabilize blood sugar and leave you feeling full. This healthy snack is great with avocado and whole-grain toast.
