Nutrition and mental health management
For those managing existing mental health issues, nutrition is crucial. A 2017 study looked at dietary factors as an intervention to treat depression. This research showed that when mental health patients were given the right nutrition information – plus assistance to improve their diets – they experienced fewer and less severe depressive episodes.
Holistic mind/body approaches to promoting positive mental health have increased in popularity in recent years, with more and more studies documenting the links between a healthy diet, exercise, sleep, mindfulness and mental wellbeing.
Vitality dietician Terry Harris emphasises that as with other organs in our body, the brain requires nutrient dense foods to function optimally. “We’re seeing more and more how nutritional factors are intertwined with human cognition, behaviour and emotion. There is a growing body of evidence showing that nutrition may play an important role in preventing and managing mental health issues,” she says, adding, “this is particularly apparent in preventing and managing depression.”
People who incorporate a wide range of healthy food in their diet and actively limit their intake of sugary drinks and unhealthy foods high in added sugar (sweets, chocolates, cake, biscuits), refined cereals, processed meat and highly processed or fast food tend to have an overall happier outlook on life and fewer mood changes. Adopting a diet of healthy food means following general nutrition guidelines plus staying hydrated as well as minimising alcohol and caffeine intake.”
All this plays a role in regulating your mood and levels of anxiety. “Mental health can be an overwhelming challenge for people, so to have control in the nutrition space at least can make things feel more manageable,” says Harris.
“Plus,” she adds, “Don’t think you have to do everything at once. At Vitality we believe in small steps for big changes. Try one nutrition tip a week to see how best to fit these new healthy behaviours into your life.”