FOOD + DRINK
Good Mood Food cont ...
We are all different shapes and sizes and what works for one may not work for the other , but what most of us have in common is busy lives and therefore very full plates . It ’ s time to ditch the diet and instead educate ourselves on nourishing the marvellous bodies – and , more importantly , minds ! - that we have , rather than coveting those that we don ’ t . It ’ s time to embrace good mood food .
A massively important point to remember is that our bodies crave nutrients and not calories . Since long before the dreadinducing phrase ‘ bikini body ’ was invented and loads of people started juicing like there was no tomorrow , a common misconception surrounding ‘ healthy eating ’ ( often the sheep ’ s clothing in which the dieting wolf is dressed ) was that it equates to calorie control alone , so people started obsessively totting up every bite that passed their lips and opting for the lowest numbers on the label instead of what was in the packet .
Of course , a calorie deficit will lead to weight loss – albeit likely short-term and possibly a bit dull – but a focus on calories alone can cause us to lose sight of proper nutrition and inadvertently starve ourselves of some really valuable nutrients . Lots of really nourishing foods such as whole grains , legumes and healthy fats have a relatively high calorie count when compared to , say , rice cakes , but will a rice cake keep your hunger at bay and boost your body ’ s natural fat-burning mechanisms ? Nope . High-fibre carbohydrates such as quinoa , brown rice and oatmeal will though , as will foods high in healthy fats like avocado , salmon and nuts .
These foods also have a massively uplifting effect on our mental health , as do oily fish , egg yolks , gherkins and almonds ; anything rich in B vitamins ( seafood , poultry , dairy products , legumes , seeds and fortified foods like breakfast cereal and Marmite ); foods naturally high in zinc such as oysters , cashews , liver and beef ; magnesium-packed sustenance including leafy greens , spinach and Swiss chard ; pulses , beans , nuts and whole grains ; probiotic-rich foods such as pickles , sauerkraut and kefir ( a fermented milk product ); oh , and asparagus ! All of which , when eaten regularly as part of a balanced diet , have been shown to reduce the symptoms of anxiety disorders .
Hot on the heels of eating well for the benefit of our mental health as well as our waistlines , these mealtime super ( food ) heroes are making huge waves this year in every nutritionist ’ s little black book of mind , body and soul all-rounders and are well worth adding to your shopping list .
Omega 3 from algae You can expect to see all things natural , environmentally friendly and sustainable hit even greater heights throughout this year , and , bearing in mind growing concerns about the sustainability of fish due to the over farming of our oceans , using Omega 3 from algae means we can access the benefits of the nutrient without diminishing precious fish stocks . Most of us know about the importance of Omega-3 fatty acids – especially DHA and EPA from oily fish , but for anyone who can ’ t eat fish or take fish oil supplements , getting a good source of these healthy fats can be a problem . The answer ? Algae , which can now be found in both oil and supplement form .
Probiotic water Probiotic yoghurts and probiotic supplements have been around for ages - even probiotic chocolate has found a niche in the market , but the newest kid on the gut-health block is probiotic water . Tablets are out this year and functional food and drinks are in , so probiotic water is a wellness
powerhouse combining the goodness of BROADDITCH FARM SHOP
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