The phrase “emotional eating” might get you thinking about sitting on the couch crying into a tub of ice cream. That is not what we’re talking about today – we’re reclaiming emotional eating! It’s eating to promote your own mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Eat for good mental health, rather than letting blue moods lead to unhealthy habits. Read on to find out how.
Your brain needs fuel to function
It may seem like a no-brainer – no pun intended – but giving your brain the right kind of fuel will help it perform at its optimum. That doesn’t just mean concentration and productivity, but mood as well. A study from the University of Otago showed that participants who ate more fruit and veggies for two weeks experienced increased feelings of wellbeing. Research has also found that people who ate a diet consisting mostly of wholefoods were up to 35% less likely to develop depression.
At Fitfood, we’re committed to creating meals that hit all the macronutrient profiles for a healthy, balanced diet – that means all wholefoods, no over-processed foods, and all of the deliciousness.
Keeping your inner rainforest healthy
We’re talking about the gut microbiome here. Your gut is home to billions of bacteria and micro-organisms that are critical to your overall health, a delicate ecosystem just like rainforests. As well as keeping you protected from toxins, supporting neuron function and aiding in nutrient absorption, a healthy gut microbiome supports your mental health. There’s a direct neural pathway between your gut and your brain, meaning that the foods you eat affect your gut, which in turn affects your head. The greater diversity in your gut, the healthier it will be, so make sure you’re eating plenty of fibre-rich wholefoods. Fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut and kombucha are also great for the gut.
Eat mostly plants
Food writer Michael Pollan was describing a good diet when he said “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” By “food”, he meant wholefoods including nuts, seeds, wholegrains, fish and meat. So, best to avoid those substances that often show up in fast food joints or supermarket freezers pretending to be food: all the super-processed things with ingredients you can’t pronounce.
Ensure your plate is always packed with heaps of veggies – two-thirds is ideal. Fruit and vegetables deliver most of the essential nutrients our bodies need, such as vitamin C, calcium, protein, fibre and antioxidants. Eating a diverse variety of veggies and plenty of them will have your diet ticking all the nutritional boxes.
Check out Fitfood’s vegetarian and vegan range for plant-based meals that never compromise on taste.