During this time of quarantine, you may be consuming more processed foods than usual. Going to the grocery store to get fresh foods may seem like an anxiety-prone chore filled with masks and hand-sanitizing. It becomes easier to have TV dinners and microwaveable foods at home instead of freshly cooked meals. However, your body and mind are connected—and during this time when your mental health may be more at risk than usual, making sure you eat right will be that much more important.
Proper nutrition is an essential part to maintaining or improving mental health. The best thing you can do for your brain health at this time is to eat whole, nutrient-dense foods—and keep it as minimally processed as possible.
Here are some foods that studies have shown to be mood-boosting:
1. Bananas. They are high in vitamin B6, which helps with producing dopamine and serotonin—which are our feel-good neurotransmitters.
2. Green vegetables. Leafy greens are filled with folate, a B-vitamin. Low folate levels have been linked to depression while serotonin levels have been shown to rise with foods rich in folate.
3. Healthy fats. Healthy fats found in nuts and fish are essential for good brain health. One study showed that fish-eaters had a 17% lower risk of depression.
4. Fermented foods. Fermented foods are filled with probiotics that help fight gut inflammation. Your gut health is linked to your brain health: for instance, brain chemicals—including serotonin—are produced in the gut. Several studies have found that the microorganisms in your gut can help reduce inflammation, produce feel-good neurotransmitters, and change your stress response for the better.
5. Dark chocolate. Cocoa beans contain flavonoids, which are plant-based antioxidants that can improve the mood. A higher flavonoid consumption was associated with lower levels of depression.
6. Turkey. Turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid that your body uses to make serotonin.
What about foods that make your mood worse? These foods include caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and refined grains. Some packaged foods are marketed as “healthy”—like trail mix or protein bars—but these foods actually contain more sugar than the base ingredients. These ingredients often make you feel a boost of energy for a short-while, but then you feel lethargic and anxious later. Stick with whole, nutrient-dense foods for mood-boosting benefits.
If you don’t think you’re giving your body the proper nutrients at home, consider supplementing your diet with IV vitamin infusions at Evansville Ketamine. Contact our office for a consultation today.
Contact Evansville Ketamine Treatment Center
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