We\u2019ve all heard someone in our lives pitch the notion, \u201cEating healthier is cheaper!\u201d or \u201cAn apple a day keeps the doctor away!\u201d or perhaps \u201cPeople who don\u2019t cook don\u2019t care about having quality meals.\u201d Over time, we have come to understand some of the ignorance of these statements when looking at the realities of food deserts, low-income single parenthood, and the imbalance some health trends have brought upon our communities. We already know that nutritious foods aren\u2019t accessible to all, but another related problem that receives less attention is the lack of quality food education for all. We all benefit on a tremendous level from understanding how to meet our own dietary needs.<\/p>\n
During my time working in a residential home for youth, one of my responsibilities was to prepare meals for the kids. Our mornings – like in many households with lots of children – were often chaotic. Therefore, breakfasts were often rushed by staff and seen as the least important thing when trying to get the kids together and over to school. On mornings when the kids may have only had several Eggos and milk, they were often unfocused, moody, and begging for a snack before the clock even hit 10am. I noticed this and took over curating more of the meals on my shift. As the kids tried new foods and incorporated more colorful choices into their mornings, they had more energy to engage and to sustain themselves. It wasn\u2019t an easy transition, as eating healthy isn\u2019t always a kid\u2019s first choice, but as we tried out different options, many kids came to like or even request fruits and vegetables they once thought they hated. Even on busy mornings when we had to create fast meals, adding a side of berries or an orange to their cereal or avocado to their breakfast burrito gave them a more solid mindset.<\/p>\n
I was also not eating healthily at this time and was constantly running around to try and get everything done. My mood was often low, and I was constantly tired and less creative at work. I began increasing my water intake and making sure at least one of my three meals a day was met with intention and was heavy with fruits and veggies. I followed no dieting plan and did not aggressively cut carbs or red meats from my life, but by making sure some of my snack and meal choices were high in vitamins, superfoods, or made with simple ingredients, my daily outlook shifted. I grew more patient in complex situations, I crashed less in the afternoons, and I felt happier and more motivated than I had in a long time.<\/p>\n
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Recent studies have shown that people who struggle with mental health disorders such as Bipolar disorder, Anxiety disorders, Depression, OCD, Schizophrenia, and ADHD have deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and Omega-3 fatty acids (Jauwena, 2019). Common symptoms of many of these disorders include skipping meals, overeating, and craving comfort foods . As we know, mental health depletion is far more complex than diet alone, but we have seen that increasing the intake of vitamin-rich foods can help counter the severity of these issues.<\/p>\n
The increase of serious physical and mental health disorders can\u2019t be fully prevented or treated by changing eating habits, but food has more to do with alleviating mental distress than we give it credit for. Here are some strategies on how to be more conscious, even when it\u2019s hard.<\/p>\n
1. Intentional meal setting: Eating well for every single meal isn\u2019t always in the cards. Food deserts still plague the United States, and time to prepare meals can be scarce. If access is the issue, then, when available, encourage your kids and family members to reach for fruit and vegetable products. When you\u2019re shopping, incorporate buying food products that have fewer complex ingredients and artificial sugars if possible. Be patient with yourself and begin habit setting by incorporating at least one vitamin-rich, unprocessed, dense meal a day. Ideas for practical or easy meal preparations can be found all over the internet including platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok, making it fun and easy to research. For those without internet access, local libraries and bookstores carry quick reads on healthy snacking and meal making as well.<\/p>\n
2. Meal prepping with friends- Sometimes starting something new with others is just more fun! Instead of going out to eat with friends, hit the grocery store and go home to create something different and yummy together! Trying new recipes or foods with friends can lower the anxiety or lack of motivation associated with doing these things alone.<\/p>\n
3. Being okay with not having all the answers- Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help! We often assume eating better is common sense, but it\u2019s really not! Reach out to friends, your therapist, and others in your community for tips and tricks until you find a balance that works for your own unique lifestyle. Better Life also works with several registered dietitians who can make recommendations about food, supplements and meal planning to fit your unique health history. Honor that we are still learning about the nutritious values of different foods and that different cultures have different health practices to offer \u2013 there\u2019s not just one way. You won\u2019t always know what\u2019s right for your body, but exploring and expanding one\u2019s palate can expand opportunities for a healthier and happier life!<\/p>\n
Akhaury, K., & Chaware, S. (2022). Relation Between Diabetes and Psychiatric Disorders. Cureus, 14(10), e30733. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7759\/cureus.30733. DRI Foundation. (2022). Diabetes Statistics. DRIF. https:\/\/diabetesresearch.org\/diabetes-statistics\/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw756lBhDMARIsAEI0AgnLJDq9bMEoeEyKwnwz3SxUDPzqFTgVPCDrjCfvq5Aiwnk_LVjBpMkaAiJdEALw_wcB.<\/p>\n
Jauwena, G. (2019, January 15). Nutrient Deficiency: A Trigger For Mental Health Disorders. Life & Health Network. https:\/\/lifeandhealth.org\/food\/why-plant-based\/nutrient-deficiency-the-trigger-of-mental-health-disorders\/1314096.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw756lBhDMARIsAEI0AglOWr4L62_CMek9ES1qfVAG23AuNg_zv2cUiQuXftzvQy66EWWI1hcaAqEUEALw_wcB.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We\u2019ve all heard someone in our lives pitch the notion, \u201cEating healthier is cheaper!\u201d or \u201cAn apple a day keeps the doctor away!\u201d or perhaps \u201cPeople who don\u2019t cook don\u2019t care about having quality meals.\u201d Over time, we have come to understand some of the ignorance of these statements when looking at the realities of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2028,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
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