Mental Health Food

Folate: The Big Little B-Vitamin for Depression Folate, also known as vitamin B9, plays a crucial role in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and others responsible for regulating mood. Likewise, folate is a crucial nutrient that plays an essential role in maintaining good health. It is essential for the proper functioning of the body, particularly in the production of red blood cells and DNA synthesis. Additionally, it has been linked to mental health, with research showing that it...

Say “No” To Trans Fats

We have known for a long time that trans fats are bad for your waistline and your heart, but trans fats could also be affecting your anger management, according to a study from the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine.

Pumpkin Power!

Pumpkin is a powerhouse of mental health nutrients. It is also one of the most versatile vegetables that can be served many different ways. Pumpkin can be baked, boiled, roasted or pureed. It can be made into soups, smoothies, desserts, and casseroles.

“NATURAL” vs “ORGANIC”

Many people are confused about the difference between products labeled, “All Natural” and “Organic”. When a product is labeled, “Natural”, it simply means that there are no artificial ingredients added during the processing or packaging of the product. These include things like artificial sweeteners, artificial flavorings, artificial colors, preservatives, etc. It does not, however, tell you anything about what that...

WHAT’S WRONG WITH PROCESSED FOOD?

There is overwhelming evidence that the Western diet is responsible for myriad health problems including heart disease, hypertension, cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, celiac disease, diabetes, and some autoimmune disorders. The correlation is pretty clear – as our diet has included more processed and refined foods, the incidence of these health problems has increased. As we have increased harmful things in our diets,...

JUNK FOOD, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

America’s love of junk food and fast food and the high incidence of mental illness compared to other countries may be more than coincidence. America’s 26% of the population currently diagnosed with mental illness is in stark contrast to the worldwide prevalence of 4.3%. This could, in part, be attributed to a difference in diagnostic criteria but could also be due to a lack of nutrients in processed food compared to...

RAW vs COOKED FOOD

There is considerable debate about the pros and cons of various popular diets including diets that lean heavily towards meat consumption, like the Paleo Diet, versus vegetarian plant-based diets. Some vegetarians will eat eggs and dairy products with the rationale that animals are not killed in the harvesting of eggs and milk. “Vegan” vegetarians do not eat any animal products, including eggs and milk or other dairy...

VITAMIN D, DEPRESSION AND WINTER

Numerous studies have linked vitamin D to depression. When we don’t get enough vitamin D, we are at greater risk of depression.

Easy autumn cooking

I love the combination of healthy and easy! This is where gardening really pays off – when you can walk outside and gather a variety of healthy, organic vegetables, throw them in a crockpot with a chicken (organic, free-range of course!) and a few hours later, enjoy a nutrition packed meal that money really can’t buy in most restaurants. For this meal I put a chicken in the crockpot and added...

Simply Nutritious

Eating for mental health does not need to be complicated or difficult. During the summer I do a lot of grilling outside. Here I just rubbed a little bit of olive oil on a piece of salmon and placed it on top of a couple of sprigs of dill I snagged out of the garden. I piled some more dill on top then put the pan on a hot grill and cooked the fish for about 2-3 minutes on each side. The blackened, crispy dill adds a wonderful flavor to the fish. If you don’t have fresh dill, you can just sprinkle both sides with dried dill and it will work just as well.

Summertime Green Smoothies

This is my favorite time of year for breakfast smoothies when the garden is brimming with nutrient-rich greens! There is nothing more gratifying or flavorful (or easier!) than walking outside and picking a handful of fresh garden greens and blending them up into a power-packed breakfast drink.