We all can relate with the instances of having junk foods after a stressful or bad day which is commonly known as stress eating which can be seen at any stage be it a school kid being stressed about studies and exams, youngsters being stressed about searching the right career option or a working men/women stressed about various issues making them indulge in unhealthy eating practices. This brings us to the fact that there is a direct correlation between food and stress. But is it really good for our mood is the real question? Let me put the answer this way. Food that we eat does not only affects our mood but also plays an integral role in managing mental disorders like depression etc.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and appetite, mediate moods, and inhibit pain. And the largest source of producing serotonin is our gut which is lined by numerous neurons. It makes sense that the inner workings of your digestive system don’t just help you digest food, but also guide your emotions and stress!. Good bacteria influences this production. They do not only influence what your gut digests and absorbs, but that they also affect the degree of inflammation throughout your body, as well as your mood and energy level. You can only maintain this intestinal microbiome by having good foods that include whole grains, pulses and legumes, low fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables and omega 3 rich fatty acids.
All we need to do is how our foods are making us feel not just temporarily. How?
Now, reintroduce foods back in your diet gradually and observe how you feel. When some people “go clean,” they cannot believe how much better they feel both physically and emotionally.
