THE TRUTH: BEHIND FOOD MANIA AND DEPRESSION IN BIPOLAR PATIENTS

THE TRUTH: BEHIND FOOD MANIA AND DEPRESSION IN BIPOLAR PATIENTS

There is so much more to the story when it comes to your mental health and what you are eating and more importantly,  to your mania and depression than what you’ve been told.

I remember when I was seeing my so-called hippie psychiatrist and how she made such a big emphasis on food and how there could be a tie to my prolonged and filled to the brim with psychotic episodes mania. Not only did I start eating a hell of a lot more when I started to take my antipsychotics but for some weird reason, my need to control my life with food was gone. Sure it came back once I was clear headed but there were months when mania would consume me and I would eat whatever I wanted and feed my creative energy with cooking up a storm. My mom would let me be considering everything else that was going on.

I gained over 100 lbs in less than six months, my underweight anorexia owned body + mind didn’t know what to do when those moments of clarity hit, but then the need to consume everything at hands distance also started to rule. I was also taking medication for my high blood sugar and trying to ward of the prediabetic signs.

When I left the medicated, western medicine ways and embraced a more holistic approach I lost a good 15-20 pounds, my medication slowed down my metabolism and also increased my appetite but I still wasn’t in a healthy mindset with food so it took a couple doctor visits to knock some sense into me. My liver was suffering, and I was still very much prediabetic and while I was no longer experiencing hypomania and mania I was still very much not in a healthy place with my mood. I was still irritable, angry, and lacked concentrate for the most part. You could still definitely feel the hypomania tendencies without the extreme. I was still very much impulsive and obsessive. It took a good six months for me to really get my life on track and start using the wonderful benefits that food can offer my mind and body.

WHAT YOU SHOULD EAT TO BALANCE OUT YOUR MOOD

OMEGA THREE FATTY ACIDS 

There’s a reason they said they are the building blocks of happy brains. Research shows that the eicosapentaenoic (EPA) is the nutrient in omega three fatty acids that help fight depression. Remember that our brain is made mostly of fat, so feeding it healthy fats like the ones found in omega three then you are supporting your brain.

EAT THIS:  salmon, walnuts, leafy dark greens, and hemp seeds, chia seeds, flaxseeds.

TRY THIS: roasted salmon, this greens + hemp seed pesto, keto coconut chia seed pudding,

CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid found in cannabis, and unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) it doesn’t give you the mind-altering high. CBD can indirectly act on two receptors and acts upon 5-HT1A receptor, which receptor in the entire central nervous system.

DOPAMINE SYSTEM

SEROTONIN SYSTEM 

Which means that CBD can influence our neuron activity and reduce anxiety, stress and actually help you feel better.

TRY IT: I like using different types of CBD products, from chocolate to tinctures. Read more about CBD here and the products I enjoy here. 

 

SELENIUM RICH FOODS 

Is a trace element that is essential for a healthy brain, research shows that high selenium levels help stabilize your mood, and people with depression and anxiety often have low levels of selenium.

EAT THIS: Brazil nuts, sardines, beef liver, turkey, steak, tuna, and halibut.

TRY THIS: Grilled tuna or halibut steaks, energy bites with brazil nuts in there, add sardines to your favorite salad.

NUTS 

Nuts are filled with healthy fats that help with regulating your stress hormone aka cortisol which is mega important with people who suffer from mood disorders. Some are also high in magnesium with is great for calming an overactive nervous system.

EAT THIS: Almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pecans.

TRY THIS: Dark Chocolate Energy Bars, Mood Boosting Chocolate Smoothie, No Bake Dairy Free Cheesecake.

PROBIOTICS 

The importance of a healthy gut is literally amazing. I agree 100% that our second brain is our gut and our gut plays such a large role in our body and mind. Research shows that keeping a healthy gut is great for emotional health.

EAT THIS: Kefit, sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, kombucha and other fermented foods.

DARK CHOCOLATE

You know how they say eat some chocolate if your down? Okay, if that isn’t a real saying, it totally should be. Dark chocolate stimulates the endorphin production, aka the pleasure chemical in our brain. Dark chocolate should be considered foreplay when it comes to boosting your mood.

EAT THIS: I really like these chocolate brands because of the high-quality chocolate + the real ingredients and refined sugar-free treats. Thera Treats makes bomb CBD chocolate, the chocolate to my health Nutella has to go to my beautiful friends at HNINA Chocolates they make great sprouted nut butter chocolate spreads and truffles. Pure 7 Chocolates, Hu Chocolate, Eating Evolved, Chocolove and Loving Earth.

TRY THIS: Dark Chocolate Skillet Cookie, Hormone Balancing Chocolate Cupcakes,

 

Alright, my beauties, there you have it my thoughts when it comes to food and mood, and how there is way more to our mood than just life, what we eat really can impact our mental health. I hope you have a beautiful day and please remember if you or someone you know is going through a hard time, please ask for help. LOVE you.!