Who doesn’t love digging into a pint of ice cream, munching on cookies, or savoring the crunch of salty chips? It’s like a delicious escape from the routine. But, hold on, before we get lost in the snack aisle daydreams, let’s talk about the intriguing link between what we eat and how we feel, especially during our high school adventures.
How Does A Bad Diet Affect Me? Even though we might not be aware of what we’re putting into our bodies, the effects can be significant. Sugar and processed foods can lead to inflammation in the body and brain, potentially causing mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Often, when people are feeling down, they turn to emotional eating, whether it’s not eating enough or overeating. This is honestly one of the worst mistakes to make because it only exacerbates the situation. That’s why it’s essential to maintain a healthy diet and explore alternative ways to cope with your emotions, such as talking about them with someone, exercising, or writing them down.
How Do I Benefit From A Good Diet? There are numerous benefits to maintaining a healthy diet. For athletes, in particular, their diet plays a crucial role in their performance. A good diet enhances concentration, attention span, and overall sharpness. This is not limited to athletes; students also benefit significantly from a balanced diet. Several studies have demonstrated that students who have a nutritious breakfast before school tend to perform better academically. When you consume foods that nourish your brain and nervous system, you’ll likely experience more positive behavior.
Effective Strategies for Enhancing Your Dietary Habits:
- Stay away from processed foods.
- Develop a healthy grocery list that you’ll stick to.
- Avoid shopping when hungry. (You are prone to make unhealthy choices)
- If you struggle with eating, set certain times you know you’ll have time for.
- Prepare meals at home for the week.
- Avoid sugary drinks.
- Add healthy fats into your diet such as olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Do not skip meals.
- Only eat when you actually feel hungry.
Due to personal experience, I emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy diet because it genuinely impacted me in various ways. After I began eating better, I noticed a dramatic improvement in my mood. It’s crucial to take good care of not only your body but also your mind, as both are intricately connected and serve as your primary functions.
If you ever find yourself struggling with your eating habits, I recommend visiting https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/nutrition/eating-well-for-mental-health#:~:text=Sugar%20and%20processed%20foods%20can,quick%20pick%2Dme%2Dup. for valuable information and tips on how to make positive changes for your well-being.
By: Nora Carlton. Nora chose to write about this topic because this is something she believes is very important and thinks about a lot.