One day I visited one of my best friend’s places. I saw him sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. I looked at his face, he looked weary. I asked him, another tough day at the office? He replied, not really and grabbed what looked like a day-old carton of French fries.
I paused for a while and remembered the day when he was going through the same emotions and I gave him a long lecture on how what he eats actually plays a pivotal role in how he feels mentally.
I also remember telling him that mental illness from depression to schizophrenia have been associated with his diet. I told him that Spanish researchers have found that all those people who ate nuts, fish, vegetables, and fruits have 30% lower incidence of depression than those who ate processed foods and sweets.
I knew that I have to again remind him about healthy eating and mental health all over again, however in a different way, so I did just that. I told him to ensure his diet has all the right nutrients so that it enhances his mental clarity, offers protection to his mind from mental decline, and provides a balanced mood. I gave him the following tips in which eating better can really help improve his mental health.
He Will End Up Saving Money
I asked him to just think about the money he spends on junk food, ordering different types of desserts after every meal and eating out every now and then. He should remember he will not be just saving only on the food when he starts eating healthy.
As per Health Affairs report, all those people who clock in at a healthy weight tend to spend an amazing 44% less money on the medical bills and various other health-related expenses. As he was stressed out, he keeps on listening to me and I said he will not only have to worry less about the finances, but the financial strain also is a key reason for worsening mental health.
Fighting Nutritional Deficiencies Can Prove Mood Enhancer
Physicians, across the world, are of the view that various nutrients are linked with brain health and one of the key reasons for depression is the deficiencies of these nutrients. When he is eating healthy food, he will be consuming all important micronutrients including – Magnesium (black beans, spinach, yogurt), Omega- 3 (flax and chia seeds, walnuts, salmon), choline (broccoli, sprouts, egg yolk, brussels), Vitamin D (eggs, fatty fish), and Vitamin B12 (milk, tuna, shrimp). I also guided him that he should consult his physician before taking any anti-depressants.
Consuming Antioxidants Can Make Him Feel Optimistic
I gave him an example in order to explain that whether an individual has just passed his college or he is attending his kid’s graduation, there are times when the future tends to feel a bit intimidating – this can also lead to anxiety. As per a study published in Psychosomatic Medicine, people with increased levels of carotenoids (one of the antioxidants), were seen highly motivated, a clear sign of positive health.
Unless he keeps ordering fried items whenever he eats out, he is more likely to miss out on these advantageous antioxidants. Well, on the other hand, a healthy diet will easily have all the important sources including – sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, and tomatoes.
Fueling Up Aptly Means He Won’t Feel Hungry
Whether he constantly keeps pointing out his junior’s minute errors at the office or snapping at his driver during the rush hours, he tends to go about life with a short fuse. Rather than looking at his mood disorder, make sure he has given a thought about his rumbling stomach, he could be hungry.
One of the key reasons he feels hungry, and thus hungry, is the fact that his diet lacks apt carbs. This food tends to burn quickly in his body and he gets hungry more quickly.
He Will Kick The Junk Food That Worsens Stress
Food items responsible for worsening stress are actually the ones accountable for weight gain. Well, sadly they are often his go-to food items whenever he feels apprehensive, which end up giving him loads of stress. On the other hand, there are various scientifically-proven options to change both the brain hormones & chemistry helping his body to deal with the stress without any difficulty.
His Medicines Will Work Fine
If he supplements his diet with the nutrients present in the healthy diet including – Vitamin D, Omega- 3 fatty acid and folate – it can prove beneficial in bringing out the positive effects of the antidepressant medications.
He Will Have A Sound Sleep
Whenever he eats a poor diet that digests quickly but still leaves him feeling hungry, he will end up upsetting his sleeping cycle. When he eats a healthy diet and loses weight, he is more likely to get rid of varied sleeping issues such as sleep apnea.
In addition, he will make significant improvements in his mental health as well. Various studies have proved that the sleeping issues often precede mental illness such as depression and anxiety.