Nutrition provides your brain with the chemical capacity for feeling your best. Research shows those who consume amplefruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fish report significantly less psychological distress and have up to a 35% lower risk for depression. Here are a few ways to improve your mental health, one bite at a time:

1. Eat plants with every meal. Aim for 5-9 half cup servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

2. Aim for at least 1 serving per day of dark, leafy greens. Spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, and brussel sprouts have several micronutrients important for mood and cognition such as B vitamins, folate, fiber, magnesium, and more.

3. “Hanger” is a real thing. Get adequate calories by eating every 3-5 hours, and include complex carbohydrates and protein with every meal to stabilize blood sugar and mood. This also helps prevent crescendo eating (overeating later in the day from being too hungry).

4. Unsaturated fats help improve cognitive functioning. They also reduce inflammation. Enjoy fatty fish twice per week and include foods high in omega 3s every day (flax, chia, and hemp seeds, olive and canola oils). You may also supplement with fish oil – just make sure it contains EPA, the omega 3 with the most promising evidence base for mental health improvement.

5. Choose whole grains. Whole grains such as oats, brown or wild rice, whole grain breads, and quinoa provide complex carbohydrates as well additional B vitamins and fiber.

6. Make time for micronutrients. Did you know that 95% of the serotonin in your body is made in the gut? Eating ample fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains provides the micronutrients needed to generate neurotransmitters and supports a healthy diversity of beneficial bacteria in your colon (the microbiome).

7. Include probiotic foods. A diverse microbiome has been linked to positive mental health. Fermented foods such as low fat yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso may help support a healthy diversity within your microbiome.

8. Limit caffeine intake to 400 mg/day. That’s around 2-3 cups of coffee. This will minimize caffeine’s physiological responses that are similar to those of anxiety and help you maintain good sleep hygiene.

9. Proteins and complex carbohydrates are key for energy. Having these macronutrients throughout the day provides your body with the building blocks and energy needed to make “feel good” neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. However, too many of them can make you feel lethargic, cause mood swings, and trigger feelings of depression. At meals start with a fist size serving of grains or starchy vegetables and a deck of cards size serving of protein (along with your fruits and veggies) and then adjust your portions for appetite and activity levels.

10. Find pleasure outside of food, too. Pleasure often overrides physical signals of fullness, leading to excessive intake, so make sure you find enjoyment in many avenues in your life, not just food! Here are some recommendations: reading a great novel, spending time with close friends, a hot cup of herbal tea before bed, taking a hot bath, moderate and enjoyable physical activity, yoga, taking regular study breaks, and expressing gratitude.

11. Love your body. Research shows that body dissatisfaction is associated with a fourfold greater increase in BMI over a ten year follow up. Taking time to appreciate what your body does for you helps you make respectful and enjoyable choices for your body, ultimately contributing to a stable and healthy weight.

12. Eat when you’re hungry. Stop when you’re full. Eating mindfully encourages healthy choices, a healthy weight, and reduces risk for extreme eating behaviors and weight gain. Your body is wise. Listen to it!

13. Be mindful of medication effects. Some medications should be taken with food for optimal absorption and effectiveness. Some may increase or decrease appetite, leading to changes in weight. And still other medications may affect which foods are safe for you to eat. Be sure to consult with your psychiatrist, pharmacist, or dietitian to see what is right for you.

Courtesy of University Health Services, The University of Texas at Austin.
Published by the University of Texas at Austin University Health Services.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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