If you are feeling sad, anxious, stressed or unhappiness, you may reach for sweet treats to cheer you up.
Many common foods can worsen your unhappiness instead of improving it.
Increased depression is closely linked to diets that include high intakes of meat, refined grain, sweets and dairy products and low intakes in fruits and vegetables.
Inflammation and Depression
Depression is often accompanied by low-grade chronic inflammation. This subtle and gradual inflammatory process may cause problems in your entire body.
Chronic inflammation is characterized by:
- Fatigue
- Joint pains, muscle aches and Arthritis
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis
- Heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s disease and other forms dementia
- Anxiety disorders, depression and other mental diseases
Although many factors may contribute to chronic inflammation of the joints, diet is a major factor.
Inflammation and Foods Rich in Antioxidants
Our digestive systems produce waste products called “free radicals”. Free radicals, which are unstable molecules, can damage tissues and cells.
Antioxidants found in plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and nuts, neutralize and prevent the destruction of free radicals. Eating vegetables is important for your health because of this anti-inflammatory property.
Your body’s inflammation processes are triggered when you consume highly processed snacks (chips or cookies), red meats, processed meats such as bacon, sausage, and salami, refined grains like white bread or rice, and dairy products. These foods may cause an increase in free radicals without providing the antioxidants needed to counteract this increase.
You can prevent or treat depression by eating a healthy diet that is high in fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Also, eat less animal products and processed foods.
Dietary intervention can be an effective way to treat depression and depressive symptoms.
New Opportunities For Happiness
Restricting your diet and eliminating your favorite foods won’t make you feel happier.
Don’t limit yourself to unhealthy foods. There are many healthy alternatives.
In the produce section of your local grocery store, you will likely find a variety of fruits and vegetables which you have never tasted before.
Expand your palate by trying new and healthier foods.
Find a strange-looking fruit or a vegetable that you are curious about. This will keep your stomach happy and reduce your stress. You can still enjoy the discovery process, even if it doesn’t work out. It might even become your new favorite!
You’ll feel more energetic and satisfied if you try new vegetable combinations or recipes.
