You are what you eat- This proverbial saying is the notion that to be fit and healthy you need to eat nutritious food. Whatever you put into your body reflects on he outside.
Have you ever noticed that you feel bloated and fatigued after a heavy, rich meal?
We all know that eating tons of fried foods is linked to obesity, heart disease and other serious ailments. But did you know that these foods can affect your mental health as well?
Fried foods are tasty and likely to provide a few moments of pleasure and especially comforting when you are anxious, sad or have had a rough day. However, if you consume them too frequently, you might find your good mood is short-lived. Yes! What we eat not only affects us physically but mentally too.
Let’s break it down and understand why…
What is Acrylamide?
Fried foods contain a chemical called acrylamide which develops when starchy food is friends, baked, roasted or cooked at a very high temperature.
Acrylamide is one such culprit for mental health changes which can cause “anxiety- and depressive behaviors” due to brain inflammation.
Acrylamide may even be the main chemical that is doing the damage when it comes to mental health. Studies have shown that acrylamide is carcinogenic (cancer causing) in animals and may even be carcinogenic to humans. Currently, the research to prove that acrylamide can cause cancer in humans is very limited which is why we say that it “may” be carcinogenic. Global health experts have called acrylamide “a human health concern”.
What is Anxiety and Depression?
Anxiety and Depression are clinical mental illnesses. Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental disorders. Clinical anxiety problems differ from normal feelings of nervousness and anxiousness. They are excessive and interfere with simple, daily activities making it very difficult to lead a normal life. Depression is a mental disorder that affects how someone feels, thinks and acts. Its main symptoms are feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities that once brought joy. Depression can lead to emotional and physical problems.
The connection between fried foods and mental health —
Can eating french fries and other fried foods really put you at risk for depression?
In general, deep-fried foods are unhealthy for both our physical and mental health.
However, studies have found a correlation between the consumption of fried foods and higher occurrences of anxiety and depression symptoms. Regular consumption of fried foods, particularly fried potatoes, can disrupt your gut, increase inflammation in your body and brain and even disrupt your body’s lipid metabolism.
By paying closer attention to what you eat, and discarding fried foods you can reduce your risk of developing mood disorders.
The connection between food and mood is extremely complex but there are certain things we do know for sure and that is fried foods are a big red flag when it comes to healthy eating.
Healthy food swaps we can make —
Small swaps can make a big difference. The relationship between fried food and how it affects our mental health is quite complicated but one thing is very clear- reducing your fried food intake is a word from the wise.
- Change your method of cooking- opt for methods like poaching, stewing, steaming, boiling, oven-frying or air-frying instead of high-temperature deep frying.
- Be wary of using certain cooking oils- Tropical oils like coconut oil and palm oil are high in saturated fats so opt for oils like extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil or rapeseed oil.
- Swap fried for baked– Choose baked or grilled foods over fried foods. Add more whole foods like nuts, seeds, whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables to your diet. These foods are good for your gut and reduce inflammation.
- Make it count when you eat fried foods- Make sure your fried food intake is limited. It should be an occasional treat instead of a daily staple.
TIPS-
- Whenever you decide to reduce your fried food intake, take a slow and steady approach. Look at the food, decide how many pieces you will eat, stick to that amount and eas very slowly, savouring each bite in your mouth, after all the taste lies only in the mouth, once you swallow, its gone.
- It’s also really important to create an environment where you’re not tempted to eat fried food.
- Use a cooking brush to coat your pan with oil or your food, this will ensure you use the minimum amount of oil.
- Recycling of oil is an absolute no-no it is carcinogenic and destroys gut health. Oil used for deep frying, should be junked after one use, It’s a must-do.
To conclude—
Think of what role fried foods are playing in your life.
Think of how you feel before and after eating fried foods.
Think of the guilt you feel after overindulging in fried foods.
When you recognize the reason you gravitate towards these foods, it gives you the power to change your mindset and actions. Eating an overall balanced and healthy diet will lower your risk of developing depression or anxiety.
