How does our approach to nutrition impact our mental well-being?

“Mind and body are completely interlinked. Feeling low in energy, low in mood, exhausted and anxious can all be exacerbated by the Western diet. Poor nutrition can even be the leading driver.”

Exhaustion, burnout, stress, anxiety, low mood and even depression are all common, very real and very debilitating. Many of us can also go on for years feeling sluggish, under par and fatigued, accepting these symptoms as ‘normal’ and continue to ‘just get on with it’. But it does not have to be this way.

The food we consume has a tremendous impact on how we feel from one day to the next, which can commonly be overlooked. Mental health is critical to support and preserve at any life stage, but particularly during the busiest years of our lives where we may be juggling parenthood, work and everything else mid-life has to throw at us. Herein, self-care can commonly falls by the wayside.

Of course, the causes of mental health imbalances are complex and multi-factorial (genetics, childhood, lifestyle and so on). But what we do know from an exciting and growing body of scientific research, is that the food we consume plays a major role.

Struggles with mental and emotional health are almost always associated with an imbalance in hormones, blood sugar balance, neurotransmitters (signals) within your nervous system, gut bacteria and vital micronutrients. All of which can be strongly influenced by diet. Underlying issues can be addressed easily and naturally with the right approach.

“Restoring balance and optimal mental well-being can be achieved by targeting and correcting biochemical and nutritional imbalances”

Whilst there is much that can be done from a nutritional perspective to support our health and mental well-being, eating for happiness and enjoyment is equally as important. If not more important.

So, whilst identifying foods that are and are not supportive of your mental health is key, there is a delicate balance to be had here. Health behaviours that may lead to becoming obsessively focussed on what we are consuming can lead to further anxiety, which can be detrimental to our happiness and this is completely counter-initiative.

It is my role to support you with this. I take a practical and realistic approach in my 1:1 clinic, to help you with long-term solutions that will benefit you, your lifestyle and your happiness. I educate on the close correlation between nutrition and mental well-being, and support with habit changes that will be of benefit to your health. But most importantly, at the heart of what I do, is to empower you to find complete enjoyment in food.