What drives your food choices? A bad day at work? The kids acting up? Do you select foods based on habit, the momentary taste sensation experience, or to lift your spirits? Making food choices based on how you want to feel can help both your body and mind to thrive. We need food to nourish and sustain our bodies, but it can be tempting to eat sugary, high calorie treats out of boredom, emotional upset, or convenience.
If you find yourself indulging in decadent foods as a way to cope with stress, remember, the enjoyment is usually short-lived and may leave you feeling guilty. If you are feeling blue, eating that unhealthy food will release chemicals in the brain that can create a temporary feeling of relief, but the quick fix will ultimately make you feel worse. An occasional treat is okay, but making healthy eating choices in times of added stress will work for you in the short-term and the long-run.
Try to have healthy choices available than can actually work to help lessen feelings of anxiety. Certain foods have been shown to improve overall brain health and mood. These foods include fish rich in omega-3’s such as salmon and tuna, dark chocolate, bananas, berries, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils.
“A life of discipline is better than a life of regret.” Jim Rohn