Food and Mood

Research suggests the importance of food and nutrition for maintaining good mental health.

How we feel can influence what we choose to eat.

What is less known is how what we eat can affect our mood.

Keeping a food diary may help you to make the link between your eating habits and how you feel

Can Food Really Affect Me Emotionally?

• Changes in blood sugar levels are associated with changes in mood and energy.
• Low levels of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids can have an adverse affect on our emotional health.
• Brain chemicals that influence the way we think, feel and behave can be affected by what we eat.

Which Foods Affect My Mood?

• Breakfast is an important meal and adds concentration and helps to reduce mental tiredness
• You can avoid mood and energy highs and lows by eating slow energy releasing foods
• Foods which release energy slowly have a LOW GLYCAEMIC INDEX, such as: whole grain bread, basmati rice & oats.
• Some foods help increase the levels of your brain’s natural mood boosting chemicals (such as serotonin and endorphins).

Balance for body and mind

• Often in times of stress our good intentions about food go out the window and we may:-
  • snack on whatever comes to hand
  • eat ready meals and convenience foods
  • skip meals
  • not give much attention to what we eat
  • reduce the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables we eat
• A balanced diet incorporating all the food groups and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is important for keeping both the body and mind healthy.

British Dietetic Association (BDA)

The British Dietetic Association, established in 1936, is the professional association for dietitians. Registered Dietitians (RDs) are uniquely qualified to translate scientific information about food into practical dietary advice. As well as providing impartial advice about nutrition and health, dietitians also advise about food related problems and treat disease and ill health.

Many dietitians work in the National Health Service (NHS) and may work in one or more specialist areas. The title dietitian can only be used by those appropriately trained professionals who have registered with the Health Professions Council.

To view the BDA fact sheet about food and mood (May 2006) please use the link below. www.bda.uk.com/Downloads/Food%20and%20Mood%20-%20May%202006.pdf

eatwell is the Food Standards Agency's consumer advice and information site. It is packed with reliable and practical advice about healthy eating, understanding food labels and how what we eat can affect our health. The aim of the site is to help you make healthier choices, whether you are choosing what to eat or shopping for food. www.eatwell.gov.uk

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