“As a nutritional psychiatrist, I learned even more about how poor food choices worsen stress, trauma, anxiety, insomnia and depression—to name a few. As a society, we learned that more of us were suffering or dying due to pre-existing health conditions (cardiac disease, obesity, diabetes) and that as a nation, our metabolic health is in crisis.
How do we improve both mental and physical health moving forward? The answer is at the end of our fork. Nutrition is one of the key lifestyle factors we can adjust to help our metabolic burden of disease. Plus, eating healthy ca keep your thinking clear and sharp, without brain fog.
Simply adding in healthy whole foods can make a big difference—such as non-starchy, fiber-filled vegetables, which feed our gut microbiome. This can help our gut health, immunity, and brain health.
So moving forward, how about we rethink our pantry and kitchen? Maybe clear out the packaged processed foods; stock up on frozen wild blueberries, cauliflower, and broccoli; make spinach crisps in the oven instead of chips; whip up a dreamy chocolate mousse with fiber-filled avocados; add polyphenol-rich colorful veggies to your plate, and play around with spices to boost flavors and help your brain.
Also, if you are able, find a ways to pay it forward. Perhaps support a local food bank or donate in ways you can afford to help those facing financial or other struggles.
Let’s take this pause to reset and revitalize our health. Stop for a second, close your eyes, take a deep breath—and realize this life is for you and yours, choose to live it in the best way possible.”
—Uma Naidoo, M.D. nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef, nutrition specialist, and author of This Is Your Brain on Food