When it comes to mental health, we often ignore one of the most important aspects – our diet. What we eat and drink has a direct effect on our mental health. The right kind of food can promote good mental health while wrong food choices can end up creating more mental health issues. Food is integral to maintaining a healthy body and mind as well.

Why is it important to have a healthy diet?

It is important to have a healthy diet because not just your body but your mind as well needs a lot of nutrients to function properly daily. The only way to get these nutrients is through a clean, healthy, and fresh diet.

If you are facing mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and even, stress then you must take extra care about your diet. Before you make any changes in your diet, you can also consider getting a few tests done to see if your body is deficient in any essential nutrients.

Important Nutrients for the Mind

You must have heard a lot about nutrients that are important to keep the body healthy. However, in between all this, we often neglect the nutrients that are important for the right functioning of the brain. Here are some of the important nutrients that should be a part of your daily diet –

Vitamin B – The B Vitamins help to protect your brain in more ways than one. They help to metabolize other nutrients for the brain. Vitamin B is also known to protect the brain against dementia and other brain problems.
Protein – Protein contains several amino acids that the nervous system requires to function properly. Hence, you should seek protein for good mental health.
Vitamin D – It keeps your brain healthy and young. It also helps to improve your mood and keep your brain relaxed through stressful situations.
Omega 3 – Your brain is majorly made up of fat and good fat helps to reduce inflammation in the brain and improve the communication ability of the brain cells. Omega 3 is one of the healthiest fat you can provide to your brain.

Foods That Promote a Good Mental Health

Here are foods that you can include in your daily life to achieve better mental health –

Whole grains
Fresh fruits
Fresh vegetables
Lean meat
Milk
Yogurt
Cheese
Almonds
Walnuts
Lentils

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How your diet affects your mental health? ​

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