5 Food choices that will help you to feel better and thrive!
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What are the best foods for your mental health?
Eating raw fruits and vegetables is linked to improved mental health. Eating raw fruit and vegetables will lower your risk of depression and can help you to feel better about yourself.
Dr Tamlin Conner led a study of 400 adults, aged 18-25 years. The 2018 study looked into the impact of dietary habits on mental health.
5 Food choices that will boost your mental health and well-being
- At least 6 servings of raw fruit and vegetables each day
- Raw bananas and apples are two of the most important fruits
- Where possible, eat salad every day
- Eat fresh, rather than cooked, canned or processed fruits and vegetables. The latter are show much less effect on mental health and well-being.
- The ten best foods for mental health: Carrots, bananas, apples, dark leafy greens such as spinach, grapefruit, lettuce, citrus fruits, fresh berries, cucumber, and kiwifruit.
Raw fruit and vegetable consumption predicted lower levels of mental illness, such as depression, and improved levels of psychological wellbeing including positive mood, life satisfaction and flourishing. This research is increasingly vital as lifestyle approaches such as dietary change may provide an accessible, safe, and adjuvant approach to improving mental health.
Dr Tamlin Conner
The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology(Brookie et al., 2018). For more, see PsyBlog.
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For a related article about how good mental health is not just a matter of medication see:
Mental Illness Cannot be Treated With Just a Pill
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Getting High on Recovery 
I wish Dr. Connor’s study included older folks as well. I’m wondering if consuming healthier foods will not only prevent in some cases, but also help to tapper mental illness in folks of a variety of ages.
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Sparkyjen,
This study was younger folks. For me, if I eat balanced, moderate/controlled levels of sugar, reasonable but not obsessive portion size – I feel better, I am happier and my focus is optimal.
What works for you?
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I eat mainly a plant-based diet. Like you, I eat little if any white sugar, opting for 🍯 and maple syrup instead. I also mind portion sizes.
When I decided (about 4 years ago) to change my food lifestyle, I almost immediately noticed a positive difference. My digestive health was most affected, as I consider myself a happy camper most of the time anyway. Having mastered many survival techniques early in life, sharp focus was honed early on.
I suppose since I advocate mainly for our senior population, I’m most impressed when I see the younger generation studying the older. Just me!
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