Most people have heard of the saying “you are what you eat” and are aware of how their diet can affect their physical health, but less common is an awareness of the connection between diet, nutrition and mental health. Diets high in saturated fat, sugar and salt may not only be fuelling obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers, but may also be contributing to the rising levels of depression, which is predicted to become the second most prevalent cause of disability worldwide by 2020.

We are all busy people trying to juggle many different roles and keep up with the challenging pace of life; most of the time we rise to the challenge but sometimes we become stressed and exhausted, too tired to prepare nourishing, healthy meals, opting instead for quick fix, energy dense but nutrient poor, processed foods. Over time, this vicious cycle of long term periods of stress, accompanied by a diet deficient in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids is one that is partly attributable to the increasing levels of depression and mood disorders.

Mood & Food ©

We also live in a very visual culture where appearance often matters more than health and where our self-esteem and confidence is significantly influenced by ideas about weight and shape. Many people suffer alone for years with disordered eating habits, some restricting their energy intakes to dangerously low levels and others who although may start out in
the same way, repeatedly resort to consuming excessive energy intakes, perhaps due to a stressful event or life experience, to try to self-medicate and comfort eat away anxious or negative thoughts.

Changing dietary habits when you feel well can be challenging, but when you feel stressed, low or even depressed, can literally seem impossible without help and guidance. Having the time and space to talk through issues surrounding and relating to food in a relaxed setting can help people establish new attitudes and develop a healthier relationship with food to ensure that their dietary intake supports not only their physical health but also their mental health.