5 best foods for mental health

If you're feeling burned out these days, you're not alone. Burnout is faced by three-fifths of the world, and is a physical and mental condition marked by detachment, alienation, cynicism, and fatigue. The good news is that you can help fight burnout and improve your mood by adding these best foods for mental health to your diet.

What foods should be avoided for mental health?

Leading mental health charity, Mind, recommends avoiding any foods which make your blood sugar rise and fall rapidly, such as sweets, biscuits, sugary drinks, and alcohol. Some other foods to avoid include:

• processed foods

• energy drinks

• fried food

• artificial sweeteners

The WHO also recommends avoiding foods high in sodium, as high sodium consumption can impact heart health and psychological conditions.

One study found that although lower-carb diets have become popular here in the UK, many people still eat too many sweets and not enough fruits — habits that could definitely be improved for better brain health.

What foods are good for mental health?

Here are the five superfoods to add to your diet for holistic wellness:

1. Oily fish

Compared to beef or pork, fish is always a healthy option and good mental health food. Sardines, salmon, mackerel, trout, tuna, and herring are filled with omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve memory and boost feelings of wellness.

For optimal mental health, it’s good to eat a portion or two of fatty fish every week. Salmon, in particular, is easy to prepare; you can simply fry it in a non-stick frying pan with butter for three minutes. Seaweed or algae supplements are also excellent sources of omega-3 if you're looking for vegetarian options.

2. Berries

If you're wondering what foods help with feeling overwhelmed or down, you'll be glad to know berries can improve symptoms. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are important sources of antioxidants, which can repair the cells and combat inflammation caused by free radicals like pollutants and sun damage.

Some berries also contain polyphenols, which are compounds that improve memory, concentration, attention span, and energy levels.

Your recipes: Add berries to your diet by snacking on them or preparing a delicious smoothie with fresh berries, yoghurt, and a trusty blender.

3. Whole grains

Whole grains are crucial sources of B vitamins—nutrients in charge of brain health. Vitamin B1 helps turn glucose into energy and vitamin B6 converts amino acid tryptophan into serotonin. Most importantly, vitamin B12 plays a role in the production of “happy chemicals” like serotonin and dopamine.

Altogether, the B vitamins in carbs help regulate moods, relax the brain, and make sure we get a good night’s sleep. There are so many delightful, healthy options for carbs: barley, brown rice, buckwheat, oats, and quinoa.

Your recipes: Thanks to modern rice cookers, whole grains are easy to prepare—whether you’re looking to start your day with some porridge or pair your fatty fish with some brown rice.

4. Beans and legumes

Beans and legumes are ingredients we often overlook when we think about foods good for mental health. However, chickpeas, lentils, and kidney beans can help keep blood sugar stable and burn energy efficiently—which are critical factors in stabilizing our mood. I

Your recipes: Introduce them into your diet gradually and with variety. You can put beans into your salad or add them into your stockpot for a more filling stew.

5. Leafy greens

Feeling overwhelmed or down are the most common mental health problems people face, so what food is a natural antidepressant? Daily servings of leafy greens such as kale, collard greens, and spinach are associated with a slower rate of age-related cognitive decline, thanks to the high levels of folic acid they provide the brain. Adequate folate levels can support mental health, good sleep, and regulate mood neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

Your recipe: Leafy greens work well as an ingredient in soups, omelettes, and pastas. If you’re feeling more creative, you can even toss them into a wok for a delicious stir-fry.

What foods are best for mental health?

In this article we've looked at 5 foods that improve mental health and recipes to health you incorporate them easily into your diet. Of course, not everyone has the time and energy to prepare healthy meals every day, especially when they are struggling with their mental health. Be kind to yourself if that's the case.

You might wish to consider taking a supplement to increase mood-boosting nutrients in your body and boost brain performance. With Vitals⁺, you'll support your brain to combat burnout and other mental health issues.

The opinions and views expressed in any guest blog post do not necessarily reflect those of www.yourheights.com. We like to allow our guest posters freedom in the products they mention, and in the way they approach ideas.