The Important Psychological Benefits of Eating a Healthy Nutritious Diet
Did you to know that by incorporating more vegetables, fruits and healthy grains into your daily diet you can not only lose weight – you can also help your brain function more effectively? Eating healthy food has some incredible psychological benefits that might surprise you. So it’s time step away from the over-processed, nutritionless foods and sugary drinks and “eat real” - grab an apple, eat some carrots, and have a couple slices of whole grain bread and find out what your brain has been missing out on for all these years.
1. Improves Your Overall Energy Level
To keep your energy levels high you should eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. Ensure that you have lots of fresh fruit and vegetables around to snack on during the day and include more unrefined carbohydrates, lean proteins and healthy fats to your meals. Also try to eat smaller and more frequent meals rather than 2 or 3 large meals a day.
2. Boosts Your Mood
Extensive studies have been conducted regarding the relationship between what we eat and our mood, and the findings were complicated to say the least. Through several diet studies, it has been determined that the effect between food and mood varied dramatically depending on the person. So to help improve the mood of most individuals it is recommended that we adapt a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, moderate in carbohydrates and low in fat.
3. Builds Your Self-Esteem
Self-esteem usually starts with a positive body image - and eating healthy is one of the main ways to achieving this. Shirley W. Kaplan, M.A., for the American Nutrition Association writes “Self-esteem begins with our bodies. Since mind and body are one entity, the smooth, interrelated functioning of our body parts and our brain chemistry provide the foundation for an inherent sense of wellness.” So if you are feeling great and really like what you see in the mirror, your self-esteem will reward you with more confidence and make you feel happier about yourself.
4. Increases Your Overall Brain Function
Eating foods that are rich in nutrients improves how your brain functions according to Web MD. The healthier the foods you eat, the healthier your brain will be. So it recommend that you eat nourishing foods like wild blueberries, wild salmon, drink fresh-brewed tea, and enjoy some dark chocolate - so that your brain can make the most of these nutrients.
5. Might Reduce Symptoms of Depression
Just like any other organ in our body - the brain responds to what we eat and drink. The brain needs essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to stay healthy and keep your mind focused and sharp. If you can’t provide your brain with these essential nutrients, it cannot function properly and can raise your risk of mental health problems like depression. They recommend minerals like zinc, magnesium, selenium, fatty acids and amino acids – and make we drink lots of water. However, it is important to note that a healthy diet alone is not a cure for depression or mood disorders.
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