What most people do not realize is that the diet you consume does have an impact on your brain and how you process information and regulate your emotions. With fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Taco Bell, we tend to miss out on important nutrition that our body needs to function optimally. Learning about how food impacts us means that we can make smarter, healthier choices to potentially avoid unnecessary mental anguish such as depression and anxiety.
- Coffee and caffeinated drinks. While caffeine causes a temporary lift, the crash means that you will likely feel more depressed. Caffeine is also considered a diuretic, meaning that you will go to the bathroom more often. When this happens, you will become more dehydrated and even a mild dehydration can bring about depression.
- Candy. Sweets often reel us in with the sugar, honey, and corn syrup – but again, this provides only a temporary lift. The initial absorption causes a surge of energy, but once that wears off, the body increases its insulin production to remove the sugar from your bloodstream, leaving you feeling groggy and sad.
- Alcohol. A central nervous system depressant, alcohol slows down your ability to think, understand, and reason. When alcohol slows all this down, symptoms of depression are more likely to emerge, and you will be less inclined to accurately work through it.
- Processed foods. White bread, cereal, pasta, and snack foods impacts the body the same way eating a basket of jelly beans would, according to Psych Central. After the initial insulin boost, you will be left feeling irritated, sad, or tired.
- Artificial sweetener. Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners have been linked to increased irritability and depression. It can also disrupt your brain’s serotonin production.
- Hydrogenated oils. Foods such as fried chicken, fried cheese sticks, French fries and more contain trans fats that could contribute to depression. Saturated fats often found in animal by-products such as deli meats, high-fat dairy, butter, etc. can also clog arteries and prevent blood flow to the brain.
- Foods high in sodium. Too much salt can cause bloating, fluid retention, and fatigue. It can also lead to depression by disrupting your neurological system.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and addiction recovery treatment center. If you are looking for a reputable location that can also provide nutrition guidance and assistance through your recovery, call us at 888-958-7511. We believe in restoring your mind, body, and spirit through education, therapy, and other modalities of treatment. Make the decision to take back control over your life today. Call us for a consultation.
