Is it possible that a salad could lift our spirits better than a bag full of Hershey Kisses? More and more research is pointing to links between how healthy eating can help stabilize our moods better and even help reduce the risk of depression. There is a whole science – nutritional neuroscience – that looks at the ways what we eat affects our moods and behaviors.
It’s important to note that good nutrition alone won’t cure a person of mental illness, so don’t stop taking your medication if you are under treatment.
A scientific review in the Lancet Psychiatry recently emphasized the role proper nutrition plays when it comes to mental illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
The study co-author David Mischoulon, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital said that the link between diet and depression isn’t the same across the board., “If your diet is deficient in some nutrients, it can have many effects on the brain. It can be subtle in some people and may result in psychiatric illnesses such as depression and anxiety in others.
Katie Cavuto, MS, RD, culinary nutritionist and dietician for the Philadelphia Phillies says “I subscribe to the mentality that food can and does act as medicine. I think we already are writing nutrition prescriptions for mental illness both in food recommendations and herbal therapies.”
Cavuto suggests consuming a diet rich in whole foods paired with the following recommendations:
*Embrace healthy fats like nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocado and small, wild-caught fish. They are satisfying and are heart healthy.
*Decrease your processed food intake and instead focus on whole, nutrient dense foods like colorful vegetables, fruits, high-quality animal proteins, beans, and whole grains.
*Dramatically decrease your intake of added sugars which are found in many processed foods, sweetened beverages and desserts.
*Strive to create a nutrient dense, nourishing plate which helps to naturally crowd out less healthy options.
Dr. Robbins adds that while eating well and exercising are important in overall health, the concept of nutrition and mental health should be taken with a grain of salt.
philly.com
October 1, 2015