How to eat well and feel good

It is commonly known that eating well is good for our bodies, and in turn, our physical wellbeing. But did you know that what we eat can have a dramatic effect on our mental wellbeing too? According to Mind.org having a good diet can:

• Improve your mood
• Give you more mental energy
• Help you think more clearly

They suggest the following basic steps to get started.

Not eating enough food throughout the day can have a big impact on those who are already susceptible to feeling tired or irritable.

The recommendation is to eat regularly and when you do so, don’t snack on quick, sugary treats – instead find things that release energy slowly, keeping your (healthy) sugar levels high. These types of food are: pasta, rice, oats, wholegrain bread, cereals, nuts and seeds.

Our body is made up of about 60% water and so it is absolutely crucial to keep it topped up and hydrated. Wherever possible we should try to do this through drinking plenty of water. When dehydrated, it could be difficult to concentrate or think clearly, so try to drink between 6-8 glasses of fluid each day.

Vegetables and fruit contain many of the vitamins, minerals and fibre that we need in order to keep our minds and bodies healthy.

A good way to be sure you’re getting a mixture is to look at the colour of each one – try to pick 5 different colours wherever possible. For example: eating a red apple, green broccoli, orange butternut squash, yellow banana and purple cabbage that day will ensure you’re getting a good range of nutrients.

Protein contains amino acids – these are crucial for looking after our mental wellbeing because they make up some of the chemicals in our brains that regulate our thoughts and feelings.

Most of us know that protein can be found in meats, but you can also find it in fish, eggs, cheese, legumes (peas, beans and lentils), soya products, nuts and seeds.

If you’re having a tough day, you might reach for a coffee to give you that extra boost of energy. Whilst a little here and there is okay, it’s good not to become reliant on it, as it only gives you a short burst of energy.  Plus, if you have caffeine before bed, it can disturb your sleep routine, leaving you feeling tired and unrested. For more information about how important sleep is, read our article Your Sleep Matters.

If you have caffeine before bed, it can disturb your sleep routine, leaving you feeling tired and unrested. For more information about how important sleep is, read our article Your Sleep Matters. 

Caffeine can be found in many foods and drinks including energy drinks, cola, tea, coffee, and chocolate. If you enjoy a lot of these, try weaning yourself off by switching to decaf occasionally.

The food that we consume can have an impact on both our physical and mental wellbeing but by taking into consideration the type of foods we eat, we can make a significant difference to our lives.

If you would like to discover more wellbeing inspiration, you can visit our Wellness page on our Feel Good Hub.