Food & Your Mood

How’s Your Mood?

Have you ever noticed that after eating something greasy, you feel tired? Perhaps, you wake up the next morning to new acne or muscle aches. Food has a direct effect on our body in that it can dictate how we feel, from our outer appearance to our internal psyche. That’s right, food has a direct effect on your physical and mental health!

According to Dr. Uma Naidoo’s research and findings in The Food Mood Connection, food has a direct link to our mental health. Specific food consumption can help prevent psychological health issues.

What’s Your Relationship With Food?

I have many fond memories gathering with family and having connections over food. The options were not always healthy, but I have a personal association between food and gathering. To this day, it is very hard for me to break that connection. However, over the years, through study and becoming a Health Coach, my approach to food has shifted. Food can have a powerful effect on our overall well-being. Heck, food can heal!

Let’s forget, weight loss or calorie counting for a moment because it doesn’t apply here. I am talking about food’s direct effect on how your body functions. I have experienced direct effects from the consumption of certain food groups on the way my body functions. It’s pretty alarming how sensitive our bodies our once you take note of everything you are consuming in a day.

What is your relationship with food? Has it changed over time? Does it need to change?

So, What Should I eat?

I strongly believe food is a personalized construct. Certain food groups that work for one person’s body may not work for the other. I suggest a food journal as your first course of action. Just take note each day of what you are consuming and how you feel. After four weeks, look back on those notes. Then try to limit those foods that have negative effects on your body, which includes your mental state as well. Remember, health is all-encompassing from your head down to your toes.