Clean Eating for a Clear Mind: The Connection between Diet and Mental Wellness
Many don't realize just how much the food we eat impacts our mental wellness. Adopting a clean eating approach can provide your mind with the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Diet Quality Influences Depression
Research shows that diet quality is closely linked to the risk of depression. Traditional diets high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins are associated with lower rates of depression. Processed and refined foods tend to correlate with higher rates.
Eating more whole, unprocessed foods provides the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants the brain depends on for optimal functioning. Deficiencies in these can exacerbate underlying mental wellness issues.
Inflammation and the Brain
Chronic inflammation is connected to high rates of anxiety and depression. Clean eating reduces inflammation by cutting out pro-inflammatory foods like refined carbohydrates, industrial oils, and additives.
Focus instead on anti-inflammatory foods - leafy greens, berries, fatty fish, and spices like turmeric. Keeping inflammation down regulates hormones, supports gut health, and provides a stable foundation for mental well-being.
Blood Sugar Imbalances
When blood sugar spikes and crashes, you may experience irritability, anxiety, trouble concentrating, and fatigue. To keep blood sugar balanced, clean eating focuses on complex carbs, fiber, and plant-based proteins.
This stabilizes energy levels and mood. Skipping refined sugar and spacing out meals helps as well. Keeping blood sugar on an even keel supports both physical and mental wellness.
Gut-Brain Connection
Your gastrointestinal system has a direct link to mental wellness, producing many of the neurotransmitters responsible for regulating mood. The gut microbiome thrives on a diverse, fiber-rich diet full of fermented foods.
Clean eating nourishes a healthy gut environment. And a thriving microbiome boosts the production of serotonin, GABA, and other calming neurotransmitters. Feed your gut well for a clear, tranquil mind.
Photo by Mikhail Nilov
Nutritional Deficiencies
Even subtle nutritional deficiencies can negatively impact mental wellness. Clean eating emphasizes food sources dense with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants critical for proper neurological functioning.
For example, B vitamins help produce neurotransmitters. Magnesium calms the nervous system. Omega-3s decrease inflammation. Correcting deficiencies through whole food sources provides nutritional support for mental well-being.
Avoid Stimulants and Neurotoxins
Many common food additives act as neurotoxins that can provoke anxiety, depression, brain fog, and other issues when consumed regularly.
Clean eating avoids these additives - MSG, synthetic food dyes, sodium nitrate, BHA, and artificial sweeteners. Sticking to whole, unprocessed foods reduces exposure to these neurotoxins.
Start Clean Eating for Mental Clarity
The connection between diet and mental wellness is clear. Clean eating provides the nutrients the brain and nervous system need while cutting out pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic substances.
Start by adding more vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory herbs and spices. Crowd out processed/refined foods. This simple shift to cleaner eating patterns can brighten your mental outlook significantly.
If you're looking for support when it comes to your health, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Health Discovery Session.
I have 3 different memberships to support your self-care, check these out here… https://www.drlaramay.com/memberships Whether you are looking for monthly energy healing, quarterly/seasonal detoxing, or monthly healthy eating recipes, I’ve got you covered.
If you are looking for more personalized help then you can take advantage of my Beta Life Coaching Program on sale right now for $160. 8 sessions in 8 weeks focused on whatever you need most. Here is the link to check it out… https://www.drlaramay.com/store/p/light-body-life-coaching-beta-tester
It is my privilege to be able to guide you along your healing journey. Please feel free to reply and let me know how I can be of service to you.
Namaste,
P.S.: Don’t forget! Join me on my Facebook page, as well as YouTube, Instagram & Twitter @drlaramay.
P.S.S.: Be sure to tune in to my podcast on your favorite platform, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, or Anchor Fm @Light Body Radio to get all the juicy info coming your way in an easily digestible format. I look forward to hearing your feedback, comments, and suggestions.
check out this FREE guide!
Are you finally ready to break up with sugar?
If so, I’ve got the perfect thing!
Grab your FREE guide, 3 Ways to Quit Sugar to give yourself that nudge you need for success.
Say YES to yourself, and grab this FREE guide NOW
Hi, I'm Lara!
(pronounced like Sarah, but with a L)
Are you ready to lose weight, reduce stress, and reinvigorate your life?! Together let’s uncover your motivators for change, and turn your vision for your vibrant future into your new reality.