Fast and unhealthy eating not only affects your body, but also your mental health.
The food we eat doesn't just affect our weight, hunger or energy. According to recent research, dietary choices can have far-reaching consequences for your overall physical and mental health.
A 2022 study found a link between ultra-processed foods and depression, and published in the European Journal of Human Genetics reported a link between poor diet and mental health disorders in young people.
Excessive consumption of sugar
According to studies, a diet high in sugar is associated with low mood and depression. Consuming sugar increases inflammation in the body, which can also be a factor in the mental response to sugary food. And not only food, also the liquid consumed can contain excessive levels of sugar.
Studies have linked sugary drinks to a number of health problems, including an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and liver disease. A study published in Frontiers of Psychiatry found that regular consumption of sugary drinks is also associated with increased psychological and behavioral problems in adolescents.
Western diet
We Westerners consume much more sugar than people in other parts of the world. Our fast pace of life forces us to eat unhealthy food, pre-prepared meals, lots of sugar and salt.
The Western diet also contains large amounts of saturated fat and refined or processed food. Research has shown that consuming them can increase the risk of developing symptoms of depression.
Record everything you eat and drink
Counting calories is one of the traditional ways to lose weight, but focusing too much on the numbers can have a negative effect on your mental health over time.
Therefore, instead of counting, many experts recommend that you choose a balanced healthy diet, where you will not need to count the calories you eat.
Lack of anti-inflammatory foods
Research shows how inflammation in the body can increase the risk of depression. Your diet can play an important role in increasing the number of these inflammations or on the contrary, with proper nutrition you can also reduce them.
Enjoy plenty of vegetables, fruit and fish, which help reduce the risk of depression, unlike a diet rich in added sugars, fizzy drinks and processed foods.