Mood Food

You are what you eat. That’s how the saying goes. But did you know that what you eat can play a big part in how you feel as well?

A recent resurgence of interest in the interaction of nutrition and mental health has yielded some important and potentially life-changing results. For instance, a review of the literature (Luppino et al., 2010) found that obesity increases the risk of depression, as well as depression increasing the risk of obesity.

A NZ study has found that meaningful and positive changes in mood occurred when people consumed 7-8 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

There are also consistent results demonstrating the powerful effects of omega-3 fatty acids (found in oily fish, flaxseed, mussels and avocados) on various mood disorders, even the benefit of increasing the impact of antidepressant medication to improve mood – Melanson (2007).

So, the message seems to be that simple changes in diet can have an impact on your mood — whether you are struggling with psychological challenges or just hoping to feel and live more optimally.

Email us to register your interest in a future Food and Mood workshop presented by Nicola Brown, Registered Clinical Psychologist, or Contact us if you’d like some support in lifestyle changes, such as developing more healthful eating habits.