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Don't eat these foods if you want to be happy!

Don't eat these foods if you want to be happy!

Do you ever notice that you feel sad and gloomy after eating certain types of food?

It might not just be in your imagination!

Research suggests that a diet based on whole grains, lean protein and plenty of fruits and vegetables lifts the mood and helps avoid depression. And there seems to be a link between eating too much "junk" or highly processed food and feeling sad.

But intriguing evidence is emerging that for some people, specific foods can affect their mental well-being. So which are the foods to avoid - and which ones should you eat to improve your mood?


Which foods can make you sad?

Processed foods

Many people notice that their mood improves when they cut out processed foods. Because there are so many different ingredients in processed food, it's hard to identify which ones affect your mood.

Trans fats, sometimes known as partially hydrated oils, are high on the list of suspect ingredients. They are found in some biscuits, pastries and cakes. Emulsifiers included in some processed products are also believed to have a detrimental effect on the gut.

Avoiding heavily processed foods and eating more whole foods will improve your gut health; your gut is sometimes called your second brain, and good gut health is linked to good mental health. So if you're feeling dejected, cutting out processed foods could help you to feel happier.

Sugar

When we eat sugar regularly, our gut lining can be damaged and become "leaky", allowing some molecules to pass through the walls of the gut into the blood. This causes inflammation in the body. While scientists still do not fully understand the link, inflammation increases the risk of depression.

We often turn to sweet, sugary foods when we're feeling low or need a quick pick-me-up. But the energy provided by a sugar rush doesn't last long, and a few hours later, you find yourself starting to flag. Both low and high blood sugar levels can have a negative impact on your mood. So if you often find yourself feeling tired and "hangry", try eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day and reduce the sugar you consume.

MSG

Many people report that they suffer from symptoms ranging from headaches and bad dreams to skin rashes after eating foods containing monosodium glutamate or MSG, a flavour enhancer. However, scientific testing has uncovered no evidence to support these beliefs.

It's impossible to exclude sensitivity to MSG in some people. Still, these symptoms could equally be caused by other ingredients in the dish, such as spices, high levels of fat, or just because you've eaten a too-generous portion. When your gut's unhappy because you've overindulged, it's sure to let you know!

Gluten

People who have coeliac disease are intolerant to gluten, a substance found in bread, cakes and a host of other products containing wheat flour. If they eat foods containing gluten, they risk symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, fatigue and pain. While around 1 in 70 people is coeliac, many believe they are sensitive to gluten without being diagnosed.

They say that gluten makes them unwell both physically and mentally, causing anxiety, bad moods and depression. But so far, there's little scientific evidence to support the belief that gluten can make non-coeliacs unwell. When people feel better after avoiding gluten, it could be that they've also replaced processed products with healthier foods and generally adopted a healthier lifestyle.

Which foods should you eat to be happier?

Now you know which foods might make you feel sad, it's good to know that there are plenty of foods to eat that will help lift your mood. The following foods are rich in nutrients that boost your body's production of the "happy hormones": dopamine and serotonin.

Chocolate

Chocolate's mood-boosting power is thanks to phenylethylamine, the chemical that is responsible for that walking-on-air feeling you get when you're in love. It also contains tryptophan, a substance that triggers the body's production of serotonin. Dark chocolate is more nutritious than milk chocolate as it contains other valuable minerals such as magnesium, potassium and zinc. Don't overdo it though, a few squares a day are plenty!

Other foods to choose from include:

  • Turkey - low-fat meat that contains high levels of tryptophan
  • Eggs - Egg yolks also contain tryptophan as well as tyrosine, choline, biotin and omega-3 fatty acids
  • Pineapples are rich in serotonin. Tomatoes are another excellent choice: their serotonin content actually increases as they ripen, so choose nice red ones.
  • Cheese - another delicious food with a high tryptophan content.
  • Soy - the perfect choice for vegans and vegetarians. Tofu and other soy products make great substitutes for fish or meat in mood-boosting recipes.

A final thought

If you're feeling gloomy and depressed, Bach Flower Mix 65 is formulated with pure flower essences to help banish dark clouds, improve your sleep and help you feel happier. Rather than focussing on particular foods, most dietitians recommend eating a balanced, healthy diet. And if you find yourself "crashing" and reaching for sugary snacks, try eating "little and often" to stabilise your blood sugar levels.


Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/how-food-affects-your-moods#:~:text=As%20more%20tryptophan%20enters%20the,include%20fish%20and%20vitamin%20D

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gut-feelings-how-food-affects-your-mood-2018120715548

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/food-and-mood/about-food-and-mood/

Created by Tom Vermeersch

Tom Vermeersch

Tom Vermeersch is a certified Psychologist and Bach flower expert with more than 30 years of experience.

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Don't eat these foods if you want to be happy!

Don't eat these foods if you want to be happy!
Don't eat these foods if you want to be happy!

Do you ever notice that you feel sad and gloomy after eating certain types of food?

It might not just be in your imagination!

Research suggests that a diet based on whole grains, lean protein and plenty of fruits and vegetables lifts the mood and helps avoid depression. And there seems to be a link between eating too much "junk" or highly processed food and feeling sad.

But intriguing evidence is emerging that for some people, specific foods can affect their mental well-being. So which are the foods to avoid - and which ones should you eat to improve your mood?

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Which foods can make you sad?

Processed foods

Many people notice that their mood improves when they cut out processed foods. Because there are so many different ingredients in processed food, it's hard to identify which ones affect your mood.

Trans fats, sometimes known as partially hydrated oils, are high on the list of suspect ingredients. They are found in some biscuits, pastries and cakes. Emulsifiers included in some processed products are also believed to have a detrimental effect on the gut.

Avoiding heavily processed foods and eating more whole foods will improve your gut health; your gut is sometimes called your second brain, and good gut health is linked to good mental health. So if you're feeling dejected, cutting out processed foods could help you to feel happier.

Sugar

When we eat sugar regularly, our gut lining can be damaged and become "leaky", allowing some molecules to pass through the walls of the gut into the blood. This causes inflammation in the body. While scientists still do not fully understand the link, inflammation increases the risk of depression.

We often turn to sweet, sugary foods when we're feeling low or need a quick pick-me-up. But the energy provided by a sugar rush doesn't last long, and a few hours later, you find yourself starting to flag. Both low and high blood sugar levels can have a negative impact on your mood. So if you often find yourself feeling tired and "hangry", try eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day and reduce the sugar you consume.

MSG

Many people report that they suffer from symptoms ranging from headaches and bad dreams to skin rashes after eating foods containing monosodium glutamate or MSG, a flavour enhancer. However, scientific testing has uncovered no evidence to support these beliefs.

It's impossible to exclude sensitivity to MSG in some people. Still, these symptoms could equally be caused by other ingredients in the dish, such as spices, high levels of fat, or just because you've eaten a too-generous portion. When your gut's unhappy because you've overindulged, it's sure to let you know!

Gluten

People who have coeliac disease are intolerant to gluten, a substance found in bread, cakes and a host of other products containing wheat flour. If they eat foods containing gluten, they risk symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, fatigue and pain. While around 1 in 70 people is coeliac, many believe they are sensitive to gluten without being diagnosed.

They say that gluten makes them unwell both physically and mentally, causing anxiety, bad moods and depression. But so far, there's little scientific evidence to support the belief that gluten can make non-coeliacs unwell. When people feel better after avoiding gluten, it could be that they've also replaced processed products with healthier foods and generally adopted a healthier lifestyle.

Which foods should you eat to be happier?

Now you know which foods might make you feel sad, it's good to know that there are plenty of foods to eat that will help lift your mood. The following foods are rich in nutrients that boost your body's production of the "happy hormones": dopamine and serotonin.

Chocolate

Chocolate's mood-boosting power is thanks to phenylethylamine, the chemical that is responsible for that walking-on-air feeling you get when you're in love. It also contains tryptophan, a substance that triggers the body's production of serotonin. Dark chocolate is more nutritious than milk chocolate as it contains other valuable minerals such as magnesium, potassium and zinc. Don't overdo it though, a few squares a day are plenty!

Other foods to choose from include:

  • Turkey - low-fat meat that contains high levels of tryptophan
  • Eggs - Egg yolks also contain tryptophan as well as tyrosine, choline, biotin and omega-3 fatty acids
  • Pineapples are rich in serotonin. Tomatoes are another excellent choice: their serotonin content actually increases as they ripen, so choose nice red ones.
  • Cheese - another delicious food with a high tryptophan content.
  • Soy - the perfect choice for vegans and vegetarians. Tofu and other soy products make great substitutes for fish or meat in mood-boosting recipes.

A final thought

If you're feeling gloomy and depressed, Bach Flower Mix 65 is formulated with pure flower essences to help banish dark clouds, improve your sleep and help you feel happier. Rather than focussing on particular foods, most dietitians recommend eating a balanced, healthy diet. And if you find yourself "crashing" and reaching for sugary snacks, try eating "little and often" to stabilise your blood sugar levels.


Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/how-food-affects-your-moods#:~:text=As%20more%20tryptophan%20enters%20the,include%20fish%20and%20vitamin%20D

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gut-feelings-how-food-affects-your-mood-2018120715548

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/food-and-mood/about-food-and-mood/


Marie Pure

Other articles


How to prove your value

How to prove your value

Feel like everyone takes you for granted? Whether it's working late to prepare a presentation or cooking a special birthday meal for your partner, it's nice to be appreciated when you've made an extra effort. And if it seems as if people don't notice, you might feel as if no one values you.

Read the complete article

Is it OCD Find out!

Is it OCD? Find out!

While you often hear people joking that they have OCD because they like to keep their house clean and tidy, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be a distressing and debilitating mental health condition with a wide range of symptoms.

Read the complete article

Is your sex life putting your relationship at risk

Is your sex life putting your relationship at risk?

Sexual desire is a complex interaction of hormones, emotions and well-being. When your partner is not as interested in sex as you are, it’s rarely a rejection of you as a person. So it’s essential to be as empathetic as you can regarding your differing libidos.

Read the complete article

Dealing with British Summer Time

Dealing with British Summer Time

Some people are overly sensitive to the time change and it can take days, if not weeks, for them to feel right again, while others barely even notice. 

Read the complete article

Why not me

Why not me?

It's natural to compare our own lives with those of others - weighing up the pros and cons of situations helps us make decisions. But there can be a downside when you find you're constantly comparing yourself with others, envying their seemingly perfect lives and wondering why they are luckier, more prosperous, and better looking than you.

Read the complete article

Are you resilient enough Take our quiz!

Are you resilient enough? Take our quiz!

Do you have enough resilience to face the world out there? Take our quiz to find out how resilient you are and find tips on how to build your mental resilience.

Read the complete article

What makes it so hard to go back to school

What makes it so hard to go back to school?

Going back to school during a pandemic is a new experience for everyone, and it's understandable if children are feeling anxious about it. We take a look at some of the issues and how you can help your child to get ready for returning to the classroom.

Read the complete article

Do you expect too much from others

Do you expect too much from others?

Do you expect more from others than they are prepared to give? Signs that you may be asking too much - and how to break the pattern.

Read the complete article

I don't want to!

I don't want to!

Motivation can be somewhat elusive - some days, you just can't seem to make yourself do the stuff you don't want to. But putting things off just leads to stress, frustration and a sense of guilt.

Read the complete article

Top 5 nonsensical reasons to have doubts about yourself

Top 5 nonsensical reasons to have doubts about yourself

It happens to everyone at times: we start doubting ourselves. We worry about the decisions and whether we can face future challenges that life has in store. And sometimes we feel that we just aren't good enough.

Read the complete article

Bach Flowers are not medicinal but harmless plant extracts which are used to support health.

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