Introduction
Every day, we try to solve the puzzle of what foods will best energize us and put us in the
best mental state for all the challenges ahead. Yet every time we hear that a food is good
for us, it is suddenly maligned for having aspects that could work against us. In the past,
we’ve been told to cut out fat, caffeine, sugar and different types of vegetables. It seems
that anything in our cupboards or fridges could have a secret double life that undermines
our attempts to simply eat right.
It shouldn’t be that complicated.
If you’ve been drawn into fad diets, you know that restrictive eating doesn’t work.
However, if you try new flavours and expand your range of options, you will reward your
palate with a variety of tastes that keep you happy and healthy.
Choosing the right foods can help you watch your weight and keep your energy levels
stable throughout the day. Did you know that they can help modulate your moods, too?
Our minds and our bodies are so interconnected that it makes sense that the fuel we take
in can affect every part of our being. By eating foods that give us a healthy gut, we support
the production of the happy hormone serotonin. That should make you smile!
Overall, it is healthy to eat lean proteins and nuts that are rich in the healthy oils we need.
You can rarely go wrong with vitamin-rich vegetables and, with the right spices, they
become so delicious that you can get anyone to eat them with gusto. To manage your
anxiety, you’ll want to add some of these comfort foods to your day: eggs, Brazil nuts,
yogurt, chamomile and green teas, turkey, chia seeds, oily fish, pumpkin seeds, turmeric,
mushrooms, kimchi, and a small treat of dark chocolate.
To waive stress, toss an avocado into your chicken salad (like we did!) or smash it up into a
guacamole. Crack some nuts, like pistachios, and get some greens (we love kale, celery and
spinach in particular). Everything in these two lists soothes inflammation and gives your
brain the elements it needs to handle your moods and thoughts better. That, in turn, leads
to better food choices.
Generally, you want to eat as little sugar as possible (even the artificial kinds) while
avoiding gluten, dairy, and genetically modified foods, including oils made with high heat
(we’re looking at YOU vegetable and canola oils!)
