Eating Well: Good for positive mental health

Most people take up exercising to make sure their bodies are the best they can be. And here in South Lake Tahoe, we’re lucky enough to have everything we need to make this possible. Whether it’s hiking, cycling, skiing, or snowboarding, you’ll always be active when you’re here.

However, it’s not just your bodies that benefit from the Lake Tahoe lifestyle: your mind will too. Whether you live here or are just passing through, you can expect a real happiness boost (and not just because it’s so beautiful). But in what other ways can the South Lake Tahoe lifestyle help you? Well, the nutritious eating that goes on around these parts probably have more of an effect than you might have thought. In this article, we take a look at some of the ways in which healthy eating can offer a kickstart to feeling as happy as you can be.

Food: Important to Mental Health

Many people try to eat well for image reasons, but few consider just how much of an impact eating well can have on their mental health. Studies have shown that when it comes to food and mental health, we usually get out what we put in (to our mouths).

I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is that eating well takes more effort than simply just eating, so you can’t just expect whatever you eat to do you good, even if you’ll eventually be transferring those calories into energy when you start your favorite exercises. The good news is that in South Lake Tahoe you have the perfect place to get the right diet, with the right stores and cafes such as Simply Bliss making it easy to access the food you need.

Getting the Right Nutrients

Processed food can give you the calories you need to spend a few hours on the slopes, but it’s really just not good for you. For one, you won’t be getting the nutrients you need to feel well; in this regard, processed food can be considered “empty calories” (i.e. ones that do little for you). By eating healthy organic food, you actually receive the nutrition balance you need to feel energized both physically and mentally. If you’ve never considered eating with nutrition in mind before then you might be a bit intimidated by the foods you’ll have to start eating, but do not be put off - there are plenty of delicious, easy to make meals that will have you converted in no time.

New Skills, New You

These can be considered side-effects of eating organic food rather than something you get direct from the food itself, but it’s just as important. By getting down and dirty with vegetables, you’ll be learning more about where food comes from, how it affects you, and also learning new cooking skills. All of this have unintended consequences, such as helping develop self-worth, alleviate anxiety and depression, and improved confidence. Though nobody can be 100% sure why this is (in the sense that we don’t understand everything to do with depression/mental health yet), studies have shown that introducing healthy foods into lives can have a hugely positive impact on those overcoming hardships.

A Diet Fit For the Soul

We’ve already established that processed foods are out and organic foods are in, but what specifically should you be eating (and avoiding)? You’ll be doing your mind the right kind of service if you eat fruit, vegetables, and grain foods. These should be a crucial part of your diet if they’re not already as they’re just too important.

You’re of course able to eat meat as part of your diet, but it should be right kinds of meat. If possible, always try to make sure the meat has been grass-fed. It might hurt your wallet a little more than ordinary meat, but it’ll pay in other ways - and anyway, what’s the point of working hard to be happy if you’ll just undo that pursuit just to save a few pennies? Also remember that fat isn’t bad when it comes to good, well-raised meat - it’ll give you the omega-3 fats you need.

Finally, the best way to get everything you need from your diet is to make it varied. There are plenty of nutrients you need to get from your food, so it won’t do you any good just to load of on oranges and be done with it (though your vitamin C levels would be good!). Go with plenty of colors and food groups and your mind will be as beautiful as Lake Tahoe.