An examination of the types of foods that are eaten in certain negative times and foods that can help in positive times will help you recognize why you are eating what you are eating, or why are you not eating a food that can be beneficial for you.  Food is one of the greatest indicators of mood in a person, and if you are eating too much of a certain food it can tell you what might actually be bothering you.  People do not overeat because they are hungry; people overeat because they are having a problem with their attitudes and views on life at the time.

One set of foods that is an indicator of something wrong in your life is if you are eating an increased amount of red meats, cheeses, and sweets.  All of these items are high in fat.  Participants who had previously specified that food helps them to cope and cheers them up were significantly more likely to eat sweet food and also to eat cheese (a high-fat food) during the high-stress weeks. Finally men were likely to eat more red meat during high-stress weeks, while women were not.

This is easy to see that foods high in fat will be eaten more during periods of high stress because the human body is still drawn to its prehistoric roots.  The body senses danger and stress and therefore believes it needs to increase fat intakes in order to survive whatever obstacle is around.  If you find yourself eating greater numbers of red meats, cheeses, and sweets then ask yourself what is stressing you out.

Foods that benefit you and increase your mood are found in many different things that you probably are eating right now.  One of the best foods that can increase mood, and thus increase the likelihood of exercising and sticking with a regimen is foods with Omega 3 Fats.  Scientists have found that eating oily fish, which contain Omega-3 fats, could prevent depression, promote learning and improve memory. 

Good sources include oily fish, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and fresh tuna, plus walnuts and flaxseed - all of which are also high in protein.  A protein-rich diet can help to 'even out' moods by maintaining blood sugar level.  Omega-3 enriched eggs are another great source of these fatty acids. 

Omega-3 enriched eggs also contain a high source of selenium.  A low intake of selenium has been found in people with depression.  Selenium is also found in Brazil nuts, cereals, meat, fish and cheese.  Eggs are a great source of protein as well and help with physical activity and not only mental healthiness.  Protein broken down into amino acids increases alertness and energy and will give you a mental boost.  Eggs and proteins will help you to be mentally happy and stable as well as increase your energy.

One important aspect to note about mood foods and exercise programs is the existence of many dieting fads that demand you take carbohydrates out of your diet.  These types of diets will not help you despite what success some people have had.  The fact remains that the human body needs carbohydrates to build muscle and make energy.  If you only want to lose weight then cutting carbohydrates out of your diet may be successful in doing this, but you will not be physically healthy.  You will only be skinny and sickly if the diet even works.  Often people in such diets will revert back to their old eating behaviors because of depression.  So, logically it can be assumed that lacking carbohydrates in your diet will do more harm than good.  Carb consumption is associated with sunnier moods, so people following high-protein, no-carb diets may be at an increased risk of depression.

If you are more depressed then guess what will happen to you?  You are more likely to begin eating the foods that are always present with depression: your red meats, cheeses, and sweets.  You will gain more weight and fat and lack energy and remain depressed.  Suddenly the no-carb diet does not seem so appealing does it?

Keep Going!

James Villepigue CSCS