Good diet for mental health is as important as meditation or physical activity for mental health. Thus, the relationship between your diet and mental health is complex. Unfortunately, there is always a connection between what you eat and how you feel. Good diet for mental health also keeps you far from anxiety, depression and keeps you happy.
Enjoying a healthy meal with your loved ones offers several psychological advantages. A good meal has the power to determine your health, happiness, and day. A nutritious diet is one strategy to enhance mental well-being. Other factors include maintaining an active lifestyle, maintaining a healthy sleep routine, enjoying music, and many more.
Remember that your brain is constantly working. Your actions, thoughts, emotions, and perceptions are all taken care of by it, and it continues to function even when you sleep. This only means that your brain is always getting nourishment.
Did you also know that the food you eat on a regular basis provides fuel? This implies that the way your brain functions is dependent on the food you consume, thus it is best to have a healthy diet that will support healthy brain function.
Best Diet for Mental health
- Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate has cocoa and contains a high level of antioxidants called flavonoids. Flavonoids can positively affect mood and memory. So, it is the best diet for mental health.Â
- Chicken: Chicken contains tryptophan (an essential amino acid), and it helps in producing serotonin. whereas the brain uses serotonin to manage mood, maintain memory, and also fight against depression. Chicken also contains vitamins and magnesium, which are good for the brain.
- Avocados: Avocados contain healthy fats that help in brain functioning. It also contains lutein (a type of organic pigment related to vitamin A and beta-carotene) and vitamin K, which helps in improving mood, memory, and concentration power.
- Leafy Greens: Leafy greens contain high amounts of folate, which has many benefits for the brain, reducing depression, reducing the risk of dementia, and fighting against insomnia and other mental disorders.
- Yogurt: Yogurt is rich in potassium and magnesium, which helps oxygen travel to the brain so that it can function more effectively. It also contains vitamin D which supports your mood.
The foods you eat affect your mental health
Serotonin, a key neurotransmitter for mood, sleep, and appetite, is largely produced in the gut, which is home to millions of neurons and billions of good bacteria. These bacteria support digestion, protect against toxins, reduce inflammation, and influence brain function.
Some studies show that traditional diets like the Mediterranean and Japanese diets lower depression risk by 25-35% compared to the Western diet. This is due to their focus on whole foods, fish, and fermented probiotics while avoiding processed foods and sugars. Researchers increasingly recognize the gut’s role in mental health, linking good bacteria to mood and overall well-being.
Start being conscious of what you eat since it will affect how you feel both now and the next day. For two to three weeks, start eating a healthy diet and see how you feel without sugar and processed foods. Although this may seem dubious, it is true that healthy bacteria also influence your mood, energy level, memory, and the level of inflammation in your body.
