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Let’s focus on how food affects our mood

Let’s focus on how food affects our mood

On January 30, 2017, the journal BMC Medicine published Felice Jacka PhD’s new randomized controlled study called The SMILES Trial. This groundbreaking research for the the first time demonstrates that people with moderate to severe depression can improve their mood by altering what they eat.

Here are the details of the diet that was used to reduce participants depression, for more details visit https://www.myvmc.com/news/diet-plan-depression/

12 key food groups (recommended servings in brackets): whole grains (5–8 servings per day); vegetables (6 per day); fruit (3 per day), legumes (3–4 per week); low-fat and unsweetened dairy foods (2–3 per day); raw and unsalted nuts (1 per day); fish (at least 2 per week); lean red meats (3–4 per week), chicken (2–3 per week); eggs (up to 6 per week); and olive oil (3 tablespoons per day), whilst reducing intake of ‘extras’ foods, such as sweets, refined cereals, fried food, fast-food, processed meats and sugary drinks (no more than 3 per week).

Red or white wine consumption beyond 2 standard drinks per day and all other alcohol (e.g. spirits, beer) were included within the ‘extras’ food group. Individuals were advised to select red wine preferably and only drink with meals. The dietary composition of the ModiMedDiet was as follows: protein 18% of total energy (E); fat 40% of E; carbohydrates 37% of E; alcohol 2% of E; fibre/other 3% of E.

 

Is Coffee your Friend or Foe….the answer depends on being predisposed to anxiety

Is Coffee your Friend or Foe….the answer depends on being predisposed to anxiety

Who doesn’t like the smell and taste of coffee in the morning. Researchers suggest that drinking two or more cups of coffee every day can reduce the risk of some cancer, liver disease, and possibly Parkinson’s disease. However, if you have anxiety please consider an alternative beverage. Caffeine is a stimulant and can cause jitters.  For people who are  predisposed to anxiety, caffeine can trigger uncomfortable sensations such as sweaty palms, racing heart, and ringing in the ears. These feelings can trick your brain into feeling stress or anxiety. If this happens remind your self you are having a normal response to a stimulant and that  it will pass shortly. Drink lots of water and try diaphram breathing.

#anxiety #stress #coffee #stimulant #caffeine #psychonutrition