Food & Your Mood – What To Eat, When & Why!
Are you feeling a bit down or sluggish lately? Or maybe you’re struggling with mood swings and irritability? Believe it or not, your diet is essential to your mood and overall mental well-being. This article will dive into the fascinating relationship between food and your mood, exploring what to eat, when, and why it matters. Prepare for a captivating journey that will leave you hungry for more knowledge!
1. The Power of Serotonin: Did you know that most of your body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood, is produced in your gut? That’s right! Your gut and brain constantly communicate, and what you eat directly influences this connection. You can naturally boost your mood by choosing foods rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that serves as a precursor to serotonin. So, next time you feel a little blue, reach for foods like turkey, chicken, salmon, nuts, and seeds!
2. Gut Health & Mental Health: It’s not just serotonin that affects your mood; the health of your gut also plays a crucial role. The gut microbiota, a diverse collection of bacteria in your intestinal tract, is responsible for maintaining your gut health. Recent research suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria can contribute to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Incorporate probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi into your diet to keep a happy gut. These foods help replenish the beneficial bacteria in your gut and support your mental well-being.
3. Blood Sugar Control: Have you ever experienced a crash in energy levels or a sudden irritability after devouring a sugary treat? Blame it on your blood sugar levels! When you consume high-sugar or refined carbohydrate foods, your blood sugar spikes, rapidly releasing insulin. This rollercoaster of blood sugar and insulin levels can wreak havoc on your mood stability. Opt for low-glycemic index foods such as whole grains, legumes, and non-starchy vegetables to maintain stable blood sugar levels and keep your mood balanced throughout the day.
4. The Omega-3 Connection: Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, have been the subject of extensive research on mental health. These essential fats play a vital role in brain functioning and have shown promising results in alleviating symptoms of depression and other mood disorders. Incorporate fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines into your diet, or consider adding a high-quality omega-3 supplement to reap the mood-boosting benefits of these great nutrients.
5. Mindful Eating: Have you ever been so engrossed in a tasty meal that you completely forgot about your worries and stresses? That’s the power of mindful eating! Slow down, savor each bite, and pay attention to the flavors and textures of your food. This enhances your overall dining experience, helps improve digestion, and allows you to recognize and respond to your body’s hunger and fullness cues more effectively. Practicing mindful eating creates a positive relationship with food, nurturing your body and mind.
Now that you’re armed with these intriguing insights about the relationship between food and your mood, it’s time to take action! Explore the incredible array of mood-boosting foods and experiment with incorporating them into your daily diet. Remember, small changes can lead to significant improvements in your mental well-being. So, the next time you find yourself seeking a mood lift, ditch the sugary treats and opt for a serotonin-boosting turkey salad or a delightful serving of omega-3-rich salmon. Your taste buds and your mood will thank you!
Together, let’s unlock the secrets of a happier, healthier mind through the power of food and nutrition. Cheers to a mood-boosting journey filled with tasty adventures and joyful moments around the table!
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Source Description
Food can feel like your best friend when you’re feeling down or anxious. But let’s be honest: often, we choose the wrong foods that can make us feel worse. In this episode, JJ shows how intelligent food choices can boost your mood and ward off the blues. You’ll learn why comfort foods can crash your mood, how stable blood sugar levels stabilize your mood, why feeling good starts in your gut, how chocolate can boost your mood (but only if you eat THIS kind), an easy intermittent fasting plan that gets excellent results, plus one food for a healthy mood that may surprise you. As JJ says, “There is no health without mental health.” Utilizing these strategies can help stabilize your mood… and it all starts on the end of your fork!
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Links JJ mentions in the video:
Learn more about Dr. Felice Jacka;
https://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/people/felice-jacka
Read more about omega-3 fatty acids and how to get more:
https://jjvirgin.com/why-omega-3s/
Meet your omega-3 fatty acid quota with Omega Ultras™:
https://store.jjvirgin.com/collections/supplements/products/omega-ultras
Learn more about fermented foods and how to get more of them:
https://jjvirgin.com/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-fermented-foods/
Read about 5 reasons to eat dark chocolate every day:
https://jjvirgin.com/top-5-reasons-eat-chocolate-every-day-dark-chocolate-good/
Listen to JJ’s quick start guide to fasting:
https://jjvirgin.com/main-podcast/jj-virgin-fasting-169/
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http://jjvirgin.com/podcastsponsors
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