Have you noticed your kids experiencing brain fog in children lately, or have you felt your mood start to drop seemingly out of nowhere? You might need to take a second look at the family diet. Though you may have already taken steps such as concentrating on additional sleep and working in Brilla medication as needed, it might not be enough without a renewed focus on a clean and balanced diet. Though many people don’t think about the connection, food can certainly have a strong impact on your mood and your overall health. Here’s what you should understand about this important and fascinating relationship.
There May Be a Connection Between Poor Nutrient Intake and Risk of Depression
One of the most serious risks of a poor diet is the heightened possibility of conditions such as depression. Some studies have found that pregnant women, in particular, are at higher risk of depression if they aren’t getting enough vitamins through their diet. However, there are other factors that can contribute to negative health outcomes in anyone:
- Excess consumption of sugar, red meat or foods high in saturated fat
- Lack of adequate fruits and vegetables
- Too much or too little plant-based protein
- Consuming too many or too few calories per day
Additionally, a poor diet combined with other risk factors, including smoking, not enough exercising or regularly getting too little sleep, can exacerbate poor outcomes. In order to combat the risk of developing a health condition, maintaining a balanced diet is key. This goes double for anyone with other existing health issues.
Nutrient Intake Can Affect Developmental Factors in Children
The reason a poor diet is particularly dangerous for children is that their nutrient intake actually affects their development, including their mental and emotional growth. A child who is not getting enough nutrients may feel sluggish or slow and may be more prone to tantrums or general irritability. To counter this, try providing yummy after-school treats for kids or healthy snacks for teenagers that will fill them up as well as keep them healthy.
Incorporating Well-Rounded Food Items Every Day Is the Way To Go
There’s no reason to become alarmed after learning about the food-mood connection. Thankfully, you can mitigate many of the negative effects of a poor diet simply by incorporating fresh foods into your meals every day. This well-rounded approach may require a little bit of menu planning, but as long as you’ve worked produce, protein and carbs into the daily diet, you should be covered. Of course, you can always supplement where you need to in order to fill in any nutritional gaps.
Getting your family to start eating healthier foods may seem like a tough task, but it is more than worth it in several ways, including the potential for better moods all around. The surprising link between food and mood might not be something you ever considered, but now that you understand this critical connection, you can renew your commitment to healthy eating and find ways to work nutritious and delicious items into your family’s diet every day.
