In mental health work, I am often asked about the connection between how we are feeling and the food we eat. The short answer: YES! It is real. Research shows us that neurotransmitters are created in our stomach from the food we eat. So the brain needs fuel to help ensure a healthy brain.
The food we eat and use to “fuel” our bodies directly impacts how we feel. It is similar to the fuel for our vehicles. If you decide to put gasoline in your vehicle, it will run, run well and run until it gets low. The light goes on and signals that you need to refuel. Our body is the same. We eat food as our fuel, when our stomach is empty signals are sent between the stomach and brain, to get more fuel, well, in this case, food. If you didn’t put fuel in your vehicle or you used something else instead, i.e. water, sugar etc, the car may still run for a short period of time but then trouble begins.
When feelings are distressing- For example, sad, stressed or anxious, then we may crave or eat foods that help us feel differently. Through understanding the emotions, we can start to build strategies for shifting behaviors that align with the changes you seek in your emotional health. In other words, nutrition and the food we use to fuel our bodies, is one of the behaviors we can do to manage our mental health. Alternately, if you increase your understanding of the mental aspect of your health, you might alter the “fuel” you decide to put in your body.
It is important to understand that placing judgment (good or bad) on food choices may lead to further difficulties with our emotions. There are no good or bad foods, it is just food. Fuel to help make the body do what it needs to do each day. If we can understand our choices and how they are connected to our feelings and thoughts, we can create this change.
I would encourage you to eat healthy, balanced and nutritious foods throughout the day. This helps to balance blood sugar, maintain your metabolism, and to keep the brain happy! Be careful with foods that are processed, high sugar, and carbohydrate composed. Be wise and aware of how you are feeling when you eat. Habits such as sitting at a table, creating connections with those you may live with around the table and enjoying the food, will also create a positive impact on how you are feeling.
In Health,
Jodi Lynn Morris, RSW
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