Healthy food reduces stress and anxiety better than comfort food

NEW “Comfort Foods” Battle the Blues BETTER THAN Junk Food (or drugs!)

Candy, cookies, pizza, and fast food…

Some call them junk food…

Others call them comfort foods – the go-to snacks they crave to lift their spirits when they’re stressed, nervous, or depressed.

In fact, you may have occasionally scarfed down a pint of ice cream or a sugary pastry when you felt sad or blue, and that’s okay – as long as you don’t make it a regular habit.

Sure, they CAN make you feel better – at least until the inevitable sugar crash makes you feel a whole lot WORSE.

But research shows that something ELSE can deliver a longer-lasting mood and well-being boost – WITHOUT sabotaging your diet… OR turning to dangerous drugs.

Cold Comfort

Boy, it seems like we’ve truly been through it the past couple of years.

And it’s really taken a toll on our mental health.

Since the pandemic, folks across the globe have been grappling with sky-high levels of anxiety, stress, anger, and depression.

And many are coping by eating lots of so-called comfort foods.

Now, I’m not talking about the wholesome, familiar, and downright comfortable foods you grew up with, like meatloaf or mashed potatoes.

Nope, I mean the processed junk on the shelves of your local convenience store or gas station.

Well, I’ll say this much for them – at LEAST they’re better than dangerous prescription mood drugs, which can cause headaches, joint and muscle pain, nausea, diarrhea, internal bleeding, and more.

But downing lots of junk to cope with stress is why MANY Americans – including HALF of all seniors – gained 10 or more unwanted “pandemic pounds”…

And now, new research found that sugary, fatty, salty, chemical-laden comfort foods PLUNGE mental health.

Instead, whole, natural foods, like fruits, vegetables, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, seeds, beans, and fermented foods like yogurt, can help.

(You know, the kinds of foods folks usually DON’T crave.)

In fact, research shows that a healthy diet is key to a healthy gut, which communicates with your brain through the gut-brain axis.

Plus, a healthy gut microbiome contains lots of “feel-good” neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine, which help control your mood and emotions.

Another study showed that folks eating nutritious diets reported LOWER levels of depression and HIGHER levels of happiness and well-being.

And other research found that those who previously shied away from fruits and vegetables – but began eating MORE – felt happier and more satisfied with their lives.

Better Food, Better Mood

Friend, I think we need a new definition of comfort foods.

Because when it comes to elevating your mood… and turning your frown upside down…

Junk food CAN’T get the job done… but whole, natural foods CAN.

So the next time you’re feeling down, skip the junk – along with dangerous drugs.

Reach for unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods – like fruit, yogurt, or a handful of nuts – instead.

It may be a hard choice at first, but it will soon become a habit – and you may be surprised to find healthy foods becoming downright crave-able.

For more mood support, consider a supplement like Rhodiola rosea, which has been used for thousands of years to safely relieve anxiety, stress, and depression.

And add a quality probiotic with multiple strains to help promote gut health.

As always, speak to your doctor first before adding any supplements to your regimen.

Source:

“How Food May Improve Your Mood.” New York Times, May 6, 2021.(nytimes.com/2021/05/06/well/eat/mental-health-food.html)