Diet and Nutrition Study Part 4: What You Eat Affects Your Mood
Food is any substance consumed by an organism to provide specific nutritional support intended to promote the growth of that organism. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and usually contains certain essentials nutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, or minerals, depending on the type of food. The body needs certain food groups on a regular basis to remain healthy and strong.
A proper balance of macronutrients, together with the right proportion of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables in a well-balanced diet is required to ensure a balanced and nutritious diet. Usually, a person’s diet is supplied by the food they eat. However, there are some foods that are more beneficial to the body than others and these can be recommended on a regular basis by dietitians to increase health and well-being.
The second area of food to consider when considering food groups for nutrition is carbohydrates and its content in relation to the major sources of energy. A good example is the consumption of sugar in relation to the main sources of energy in the diet. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in the human body and therefore should be consumed in sufficient quantities to keep us going. In this article, by reading through the article session 2 nutrients, you will get a clear understanding of what your body really needs to keep going.
The third area of food to consider is fats and oils, because these are two of the main sources of calories and therefore contribute to weight gain. In addition, fats are known to clog arteries, and may lead to cardiovascular diseases, which are linked to various forms of cancer. In the article session 2 nutrients, relating to fats and oils, you will get a clearer understanding of the role of fats in our diet and how we should reduce our intake.
Food with carbohydrates can be found in most of the foods that we eat, and in many of the products that we use. Therefore, it makes sense that to stay fit, and to lose weight, and maintain a healthy body weight, it is important to have a diet that provides large amounts of carbohydrates. This is where the study session on food and nutrition starts to get interesting.
The main food group that support healthy cells and has beneficial effects on the digestive system are legumes and pulses. Legumes, such as beans, lentils and black beans, contain high amounts of soluble fibre, which prevents constipation and helps in the movement of food through the body. On the other hand, vegetables and fruits, also provide plenty of vitamins and minerals, fibre, minerals and antioxidants, which prevents the onset of various diseases, including cancer. The benefits of fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, go way beyond simply being able to provide food for the body; they are also known to improve one’s mood and general well being. In this study session, relating to the effect of food on the general wellbeing, the participants were asked to complete questionnaires relating to their attitude towards food, exercise, stress levels, depression, fatigue, mood swings, memory, mental health and general well being.