We are all familiar with the irresistible attraction to ice cream, chocolate-drenched brownies and all those delicious delicacies. We are talking about the things that dreams are made of – juicy burgers, sweet doughnuts and those ready-to-cook frozen pizzas that add a unique flavour to a lazy night in. Let’s admit, these indulgences might not be the healthiest, but they certainly excite your taste buds more than anything else. And guess what? You are not alone in this guilty pleasure – food lovers around the world are nodding in agreement!
But wait, before you dive headlong into this delicious delight, let’s pause for a moment. Surely, the moment you lay eyes on that heavenly snack, it seems like pure bliss surrounds you from head to toe. Every bite feels like a little piece of happiness. But here’s the biggest thing – what happens after the last piece disappears? Brace yourself, because when it comes to brain health, the aftermath might not be as sweet as the treat itself.
Also read: Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar recommends carrying these 3 foods with you while travelling
What you eat can affect your health
A new study on 30 volunteers found that eating a poor-quality diet can lead to changes in the brain that are linked to depression and anxiety. On the other hand, a Mediterranean-style diet is considered healthy for your overall health.
Here are 10 Mediterranean diet foods you should eat for a healthy and happy brain:
- fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- starchy vegetables
- extra virgin olive oil
- Legumes
- fish
- crazy
- poultry
- Dairy (fat-free or low-fat)
- Eggs
The food we eat doesn’t just affect our physical and mental health. The impact on our mental health may not be as exciting as our favorite processed foods make us think.
The research was carried out by the University of Reading, Roehampton University, FrieslandCampina (Netherlands) and King’s College London, and published in Nutritional Neuroscience.
Photo Credit: iStock
Brain scans reveal how unhealthy diets can mess with our mental health
Brain scans show that people with poor diets have changes in neurotransmitters and the amount of grey matter in the frontal lobes of the brain, compared with people who follow a healthy Mediterranean-style diet. Researchers explain that these changes in the brain are linked to rumination, which is the process of thinking about the same idea or worry repeatedly. Rumination is a part of the diagnostic criteria for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Also read: Junk food consumption increases among teens after watching gaming app ads – new study finds
10 foods that will make your tongue happy but your mind sad
According to WebMD, the following 10 potentially problematic items should make less of an appearance on your plate:
- Packaged Snack Foods
- Liquor
- Soda and other sweetened beverages
- Diet sodas and beverages with artificial sweeteners
- French fries and other fried foods
- what a crazy
- White bread and white rice
- red meat
- Butter and full-fat cheese
- Bottled dressings, marinades, and syrups
Ways to eat healthy and break away from junk food
If only healthy food was delicious and fun, we would all be stuck on eating good food for our physical and mental health. Well, with a few tips and techniques, you can enjoy eating nutritious and wholesome food and switch to a healthier diet in general. Want to know how? Here are some expert-approved techniques:
1. Make Acai and Salad Bowls:
Acai and salad bowls are a fun way to incorporate lots of delicious and nutritious foods into your diet. You can eat them any time of day – breakfast, lunch, snack time or dinner time.
2. Garnish and plate:
The way you serve your food can make a huge difference in your dining experience. Choose beautiful utensils and serve the food as if you were eating in a restaurant.
3. Share photos on social media:
Use social media to your advantage and post about your healthy lifestyle to increase your motivation.
4. Look for healthier options at restaurants:
If you plan to eat out, you can follow a healthy diet by not ordering high-calorie foods. This way, you can continue to enjoy delicious food at a restaurant that is also healthy.
Click here for more information on how these tips work. Note that these tips are not part of the study mentioned above.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
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