Good Mood Food – Does what we eat really matter?

Tony Ferguson Article
written by Kellie Johnson.

Have you ever heard of the phrase you are what you eat? This can be true when it comes to your mood and feelings. Or have you ever had a day of pigging out on your favourite junk food and noticed that you are tired and cranky that afternoon?

This is because the food you put into your body not only affects your health and the way you look, but it also has the power to affect how you feel. I’m sure those who have done the Tony Ferguson Weightloss Program for a few weeks know exactly what I mean, after a couple of weeks most people notice that not only are their pants getting looser, but they also feel happier and more relaxed!

The good news is that once you learn the foods that have the most positive effect on your moods, you can make simple changes to your diet that will have you on the way to a happier new you!

Did you know?

One in five people suffer from depression at some stage of their lives. These are significant statistics that represent quite a lot of unhappy people! Research has shown that diet has a significant impact on depression, and that changing someone’s diet can be quite an effective form of treatment for this condition. In order to function correctly your brain requires a diet balanced in carbohydrates, essential fats, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and water. Poor eating habits have also been linked to other mental health problems including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s Disease.2

How does food affect mood?

Food affects your mood so strongly because it has a direct impact on the structure and function of the brain. Neurotransmitters are the messengers of the brain and they need to be well balanced as they not only control memory and brain function, but also our feelings of contentment or anxiety.1 There are a few neurotransmitters that are particularly important in controlling our mood, such as acetylcholine, dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, serotonin and GABA.2 Further information on the brain is available in our article titled “Your Brain – The CEO of your Body!”
So you can see that a well balanced nutritious diet is the best way to ensure good brain health. The next article in this series will look at the connection between what you eat and mood in a bit more detail.

References

1. Mental Health Foundation, 2009. Feeding minds – The impact of food on mental health [Online]. Available at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/food-and-mental-health/feeding-minds-text/ [Accessed 18th July 2009].
2. Vayda,W., 1992. Psycho-nutrition. How to control your moods with foods. Lothian Publishing Company, Australia.