Good nutrition can improve our mood and cognitive function. The brain needs a good supply of glucose, its primary source of fuel, and complex carbohydrates are the best source. The closer the carbohydrate is to its natural form, the better. This includes a wide variety of unprocessed foods that come from plants, including veggies, fruits, beans, as well as whole grain products.
Maintaining a balanced glucose level (blood sugar) in our blood is also critical for appetite and mood regulation, which is why people can get irritable when they are hungry. If the blood sugar spikes and drops, your mood will tend to do the same. Refined grains contribute to this. Having meals spaced evenly every three to four hours, choosing unrefined carbs and balancing meals with protein and fat, is good for both mood stability and appetite control.
Healthy nutrition also helps to balance inflammation, which research has linked to depression. Western diets lean towards foods that are pro-inflammatory. Animal meats, hydrogenated oils, and many of the chemicals and preservatives in processed foods all have inflammatory qualities.
Take the below steps to improve your body and mind health!