5 Emotional Benefits of Healthy Eating

5 Emotional Benefits of Healthy Eating

  1. Improves your Mood

By reducing your intake of foods such as sugar and white grains and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol, you are more likely to maintain a positive mood. Foods that contain things such as iron are key to keeping a high mood, as it helps to stabilise food and energy levels. Therefore, by not consuming enough you are likely to feel more fatigued and depressed. By eating iron-rich foods such as meat, broccoli and seafood, you will likely be able to feel the benefits. An improved mood leads to more creativity and productivity so you will finally be able to complete all the things you’re always too tired for.

2. Build Self Esteem

Positive body image is key when it comes to self-esteem. As stated by Shirley W. Kaplin, M.A., for the American Nutrition Association “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.” therefore, a healthy body means a healthy mind, and one of the easiest ways to ensure your body is in good condition is by monitoring what you put into it. This improved self-esteem will lead you to live a more happy, confident and carefree life.

3. Increases Energy Levels

Experts at Harvard Medical School suggest that by eating a more blanched diet, including unrefined carbs, fats, and proteins, with an emphasis on vegetables, whole grains and healthy oils, the increase in energy levels you experience will be very noticeable. They recommend eating tiny, frequent meals and staying away from crash diets. According to health contributor Alissa Fleck: “Stocking up on healthy snacks like nuts, fruit, yogurt and low-fat cheese provide a quick energy boost,” and “Drinking enough water and only consuming moderate amounts of caffeine and sugar also help regulate your energy levels.”. This increase in energy levels will help you to be more productive with your days and you will finally be able to say goodbye to being too tired to get anything done.

4. Improves Brain Function

One lesser-known benefit of healthy eating is the positive influence it can have on learning ability. Dr. JoQueta Handy of Handy Wellness Center stated that “One of our first steps in working with children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder is to examine their diet,” believing that “A healthy diet creates a solid base for learning new techniques in education and improved social and interactive behaviour.”. Snacking on foods such as blueberries, wild salmon, fresh tea, and dark chocolate is recommended. Studies have shown that skipping breakfast can also reduce brain function regarding memory and visual perception. Therefore, you should always have breakfast, the most important meal of the day. As a result of your improved brain function, it may be easier to do things such as learn a new hobby, but make sure you don’t overdo it with dark chocolate!

5. Reduces Symptoms of Depression

It can be easy to immediately run to the snack cupboard when trying to shake the blues, but according to Healthline, the brain, like any other organ, responds to what you eat and drink. The brain needs essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to stay healthy and keep your mind sharp. You are more at risk of mental health issues, such as depression, if the brain isn’t provided with these essential nutrients. The brain is unable to function properly without minerals such as magnesium, selenium, zinc, amino acids, fatty acids, and a lot of water. Although a healthy diet isn’t a cure for mood disorders, it may help individuals from feeling some of the effects that these disorders have on an individual’s mood. 

So, to help you get a hold of life’s hardships and enjoy a fuller, happier, more satisfying life trying a healthy diet is definitely worth it for these benefits that will make life so much more enjoyable.

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