As consumers become more aware of the impact of their diet on health issues such as weight and heart health, it’s not surprising that they’re also realizing what you eat has a major effect on mood. A recent article in the Journal Sentinel called out easy examples of the consequences of diet on behavior, from the sugar-fueled crash and burn of a toddler who got into the candy to the cubicle dweller who hits the afternoon doldrums after a big fast-food feast.
Author Philip Chard, a psychotherapist, noted not only does a growing body of research link poor diet to declines in mental functioning, but added he has seen direct consequences in his own psychotherapy practice as patients address depression through healthy eating. He wrote, “There is research showing that certain nutrients positively influence cognitive skills, moods and behaviors, and by using this knowledge, along with common sense, one's well-being can often be significantly enhanced.”
And while Chard noted there are limits to the effects of diet on addressing mood disorders, the bottom line is people can take control of their moods by using food effectively.