If you’ve had a long day or you’re too wiped to cook, do you ever reach for a fresh salad?
Probably not. Like most, you may head to the panty to grab a box of mac and cheese or perhaps the freezer for a tub of ice cream. No bowl.
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That stuff may help take the pressure off and make you feel alright, at least initially. High carb “comfort” foods send tryptophan to the brain, an amino acid that helps produce serotonin, a feel-good hormone.
But those effects are short-lived. Those foods contribute to inflammation and can promote depressive effects in the long term. They also become addictive and increase the likelihood of weight gain, heart disease, and diabetes.
On the other hand, diets high in fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains can lower the risk of depression by fighting inflammation.
A meta-analysis published in 2018 in the British Journal of Nutrition found that for every 100 grams of fruit or vegetables consumed, the risk for depression fell by 5 percent.
People don’t often think of salads, fruit, or oatmeal as mood-boosting. That’s likely because the impact is not immediate. Eating a salad won’t instantly start churning out feel-good hormones.
These tastes also aren’t necessarily associated with “comfort.” You might remember eating ice cream with friends or your mom’s mac and cheese when you were a kid, but do you have those same feelings about apples and spinach?
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Improving mood with food takes a bit of a long-term outlook. Eating fresh foods and focusing on plant-based options regularly is the best way to fight inflammation that can contribute to depression. That doesn’t mean there is no room for “comfort” foods. You just want to consume them sparingly.
I believe in the 80-20 approach, which is to eat nutrient-dense foods 80 percent of the time and indulge 20 percent of the time.
If you eat many “comfort foods,” scale back gradually. Going cold turkey can cause a very uncomfortable shock to the system. Also, look to substitute taste and bring pleasure to eating through spices and other flavors to help battle inflammation.
About eight years ago, Mat Lecompte had an epiphany. He’d been ignoring his health and suddenly realized he needed to do something about it. Since then, through hard work, determination and plenty of education, he has transformed his life. He’s changed his body composition by learning the ins and outs of nutrition, exercise, and fitness and wants to share his knowledge with you. Starting as a journalist over 10 years ago, Mat has not only honed his belief system and approach with practical experience, but he has also worked closely with nutritionists, dieticians, athletes, and fitness professionals. He embraces natural healing methods and believes that diet, exercise and willpower are the foundation of a healthy, happy, and drug-free existence.
