How food and food production are implicated in mental health (by Mental Health Foundation, UK)

Info source: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/content/assets/PDF/publications/Feeding-Minds.pdf

How food and food production are implicated in mental health

Most of the brain is derived directly from food. The last fifty years have witnessed remarkable alterations to what we eat, how we process and refine it, food additives, use of pesticides and the alteration of animal fats through intensive farming.

Changes to our diet in recent years mean that what we consume daily is very diff erent in its nutritional content from that of even our closest ancestors.

It has been estimated that the average person in the UK and other industrialised countries will eat more than
4 kilogrammes of additives every year. The impact of this situation is still controversial as Governments have
appeared reluctant to fund, conduct or publish rigorously controlled studies examining the eff ects of additives.

Changing methods of farming have also introduced higher levels and different types of fat into our diet.

For example, chickens now reach their slaughter weight twice as fast as they did thirty years ago, which has
changed the nutritional profile of the meat. Whereas a chicken carcass used to be 2% fat, it is now 22%.

Also, the diet fed to chickens has changed dramatically, which has reduced omega-3 fatty acids and increased omega-6 fatty acids in chicken meat. Similarly, the diet fed to farmed fi sh is changing the ratio of fatty acids in the fish we eat.

Info source: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/content/assets/PDF/publications/Feeding-Minds.pdf

The impact of food on mental health (by Mental Health Foundation, UK)

Please the pdf file at

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/content/assets/PDF/publications/Feeding-Minds.pdf

Have good mental health by doing something or enjoy (From Mental Health Foundation, UK)

What do you love doing?

What activities can you lose yourself in? 

What did you love doing in the past?

Enjoying yourself helps beat stress. 

Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.

Concentrating on a hobby like gardening or the crossword can help you forget your worries for a while and change your mood.

“I’m learning the guitar. You have to really concentrate on getting it right so there’s no room in my head for worries.”

It can be good to have an interest where you’re not seen as someone’s mum or dad, partner or employee. You’re just you.  

An hour of sketching lets you express yourself creatively. A morning on the football pitch gets you active and gives you the chance to meet new people.

Info source:

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health/do-something-youre-good-at/?view=Standard

Diet for good mood and good mental health (by Mental Health Foundation, UK)

There are strong links between what we eat and how we feel, for example, caffeine and sugar can have an immediate effect.

But food can also have a long-lasting effect on your mental health. Your brain needs a mix of nutrients to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body.

A diet that’s good for your physical health is also good for your mental health.

A healthy balanced diet includes:

(1) Lots of different types of fruit and vegetables
(2) Wholegrain cereals or bread
(3) Nuts and seeds
(4) Dairy products
(5) Oily fish
(6) Plenty of water

Eat at least 3 meals each day and drink plenty of water. Try to limit how many high-caffeine or sugary drinks you have, and avoid too much alcohol.

Please Note: The advice on this page may not apply if your doctor or dietician have given you specific dietary advice, e.g. if you are a kidney patient or a diabetic.

The above info is from:

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health/eat-well/?view=Standard