Eating the right nutritious foods is essential for a healthy mental well-being. This article teaches you nutritional strategies for managing your depression.
Essential Nutrients
Like other organs, your brain needs several vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to stay healthy. These are some essential you need to have for your body to function properly:
Vitamins and Minerals
Important vitamins for your brain include:
● B vitamins
● vitamin C
● vitamin D
It also depends on the following minerals to function properly:
● selenium
● zinc
● magnesium
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are vital for your brain health, as a large part of your brain consists of fat, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. However, your body can’t produce these fatty acids on its own and needs to absorb them from foods you eat. You need to get an equal balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet.
Complex Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates nourish your brain by providing it with glucose for energy. It also stimulates your brain’s production of serotonin. Instead of snacking on sweets and processed grains, you should eat complex carbohydrates, like those found in:
● whole-grain foods
● fruits and vegetables
● legumes
Your body converts these carbohydrates to provide a more stable and consistent fuel flow for your brain.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are protein building blocks and essential to your brain’s neurotransmitter production. These are a type of chemical messenger that carries signals between your nerve cells.
For instance, serotonin is a neurotransmitter that’s responsible for feelings of contentment. Your body absorbs this amino acid from food in your diet.
Conclusion
Eating healthy is important for your mental well-being. You should incorporate various fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, and fish into your diet to help you stay healthy and energized.
Foods To Eat
Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods will help your brain function properly, including:
● B vitamins: fish, dairy products, whole grains, and red meat
● vitamin C: leafy greens, citrus fruits, and other fruits and vegetables
● vitamin D: cod, shrimp, fortified milk, juice, eggs, salmon, and cereal products
● Magnesium, selenium, and zinc: nuts and seeds
● tryptophan: poultry, lean red meat, and beans
● phenylalanine: soybean, lean red meat, dairy products
● omega-3 fatty acids: salmon, tuna, walnuts, cauliflower, cantaloupe, chia and hemp seeds.
● omega-6 fatty acids: poultry, grains, eggs, and vegetable oils
Foods To Avoid
You should also try to avoid or limit these foods and beverages:
● alcoholic drinks
● deep-fried foods
● sugary foods
● refined and processed foods
● caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee, and soft drinks
