Nutritionist shares 5 foods which can cause fatigue, stress and mood swings
If you chow down on these five foods regularly - you might want to consider swapping them out.
The old adage 'you are what you eat' is something that most of us should be considering more often, but it's all too easy to let bad eating habits build up due to our hectic lifestyles juggling work and family. A nutritionist has explained that there are five really common foods and drinks that are mainstays in a lot of people's diets that could be seriously impacting your well-being every time you enjoy them - leaving you sluggish, stressed out, and even feeling a bit moody.
The expert health coach and nutritionist, Yvonne O'Shaughnessy, explained in RSVP Live that she would try to avoid these five foods where possible, and they have some things in common. First up, O'Shaughnessy advises swerving the fizzy drinks, because they create a big spike in energy, followed by a massive crash due to their simple sugar contents that enter your bloodstream at high speed.
The expert also recommends avoiding baked goods like pastries and cake, no matter how delicious these treats are, they often have really high levels of saturated fat and refined sugar, which she explains means that they can cause your mood to fluctuate and create a sense of sluggishness or lethargy overall.
O'Shaughnessy also advises avoiding meats that come in a packet like salami or ham, because they "can contain high levels of nitrates, food preservatives, colourings and additives that cause mood swings, water retention, bloating and headaches."
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The nutritionist also recommends avoiding other sources of refined sugar like chocolate bars and heavily processed foods - which impact your blood sugar levels and stop your body from being able to regulate it properly - and margarine, although the spread might seem relatively harmless, it contains a lot of processed saturated fats, which also leads to fluctuation in your blood sugar levels.
Instead, O'Shaughnessy explains you should opt for some alternatives that can help promote better mood and overall health. These include bananas and berries, oats, fermented foods like kimchi, nuts and seeds, and if you're in the mood for a treat - dark chocolate.
"Approximately 95% of your serotonin is produced in your gut and it is highly influenced by the billions of 'good' bacteria that make up your gut bacteria," she explains. "That's why eating foods that the bacteria thrive on is a must."
However, while what you munch on can impact your mood and energy levels, she notes that it's important to understand this isn't a fix-all solution for everyone: "I am always careful about using food as the only treatment for mood, and when we talk about mood problems, I am referring to mild and moderate forms of depression and anxiety.
"Food is not the only answer to mood disorders, but it certainly has a significant impact. If you are worried about your mental health, always seek help from a professional."
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