The gut and brain connection
Picture this. It’s Wednesday evening and you just got off of work. You are STARVING, but, you didn’t pack anything to eat and don’t have time to run home because you have to take your son to soccer practice at 6pm. So what is your solution? A good ole’ 10 piece chicken nugget and medium fry that you got from your good friend Ronald McDonald. You scarf down the nugs and fries before you even get to the next stop light. You pick your son up, drop him off at soccer practice, and wait in your car throughout the duration of his practice. You’re sitting there and watching a ball get kicked around when your stomach starts to cramp. You start to feel ‘backed up.’ Not only are you starting to feel crummy physically, but you are starting to feel blue. You’re anxious about the work meeting that you have on Thursday morning. You are feeling sad, but you don’t know why. You start regretting the McDonalds that you ate and wished you would’ve just packed some food instead. You can’t help but notice how you feel mentally every single time you eat fast food.
Well, I am here to tell you that there is actually a scientific explanation as to why you feel ‘crummy’ after eating certain foods… and it all has to do with the gut and brain connection.
Did you know that the majority of your serotonin, a ‘feel good’ hormone, is produced in your gut? A large portion of dopamine (another ‘feel good’ hormone) is also produced/synthesized in the gut. That being said, wouldn’t it make sense to properly nourish your gut with the goal of increasing/enhancing your serotonin & dopamine levels?
This topic of discussion is becoming increasingly popular as there is now a large amount of research available that suggests that one’s gut health is in fact directly associated with one’s mental health. Seriously. Look it up. Do yourself a favor and eat more foods with the goal of nourishing your gut. Don’t just eat foods that you love, but try eating more foods that love you back. Fruits. Vegetables. Whole grains. Prebiotics/Probiotics. Your serotonin and dopamine levels are depending on it.
Foods to consume that can help boost ‘feel good’ hormones in your body:
Fatty Fish
Green Leafy Vegetables
Nuts & Seeds
Poultry (Chicken, duck, turkey, etc)
Dairy Products
Caffeine
Strawberries
Dark Chocolate
Oats
Sweet Potatoes
Eggs
Disclaimer: I am not saying you can’t enjoy the foods that YOU love… I am simply suggesting that you eat those foods in moderation and eat MORE foods that NOURISH your gut. Do it for you. Do it for your serotonin and dopamine production. You won’t regret it.
Looking for more tips on how to clean up your diet? Are you experiencing symptoms that can be improved with diet and exercise? Interested in meeting with a registered dietitian? Nicole Baker Nutrition LLC is here for those in need!