A study finds fast food & commercial baked goods are linked to depression. This is huge! (pardon my pun)
Earlier this month experts from around the globe met in Bethesda MD and shared their research on food and mental illness. It was astonishing to learn of the direct correlations between what we eat and our mental status. Wow, it offers hope of being in control!
One study that blew me away was a study out of Spain. Dr Almudena Sanchez-Villegas found a direct correlation between fast food and depressive symptoms.
According to the study from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Granada, eating commercial baked goods (fairy cakes, croissants, doughnuts, etc.) and fast food (hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza) is linked to depression.
Published in the Public Health Nutrition journal, the results reveal that consumers of fast food, compared to those who eat little or none, are 51% more likely to develop depression.
Furthermore, a dose-response relationship was observed. In other words this means that “the more fast food you consume, the greater the risk of depression,” explains Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, lead author of the study.
The study demonstrates that those participants who eat the most fast food and commercial baked goods are more likely to be single, less active and have poor dietary habits, which include eating less fruit, nuts, fish, vegetables and olive oil. Smoking and working more than 45 hours per week are other prevalent characteristics of this group. Scientific Daily
Needless to say I am working toward eating more fresh food and eliminating fast food. I am not counting calories even though my weight status has transitioned from normal weight to overweight.
I am focused on eating fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and nuts. If I can eat carrots & hummus instead of pita chips and hummus I’m a successful eater. Even if I have a couple of chips mixed in with the carrots & hummus I’m successful. Another tip is adding vegetables to what you’re cooking. For example, sauté chopped onion and pepper in a pan before adding eggs for your breakfast burrito.
Changing food habits is difficult at best and the best intentions may not be enough, so making small changes is worth celebrating.
How are you going to add fresh fruits or fresh vegetables or nuts into your diet this week? Share your successes so others may learn.
Bitterroot Nutrition 