Book Links Food to Feelings

A new book titled “The Happiness Diet” has linked the food we consume to the way we feel.

The book which is co-authored by Drew Ramsey MD (a clinical psychiatrist) and Tyler Graham (a health editor) is published by Rodale. It is also available as a kindle edition.

The authors claim that the typical American diet (called MAD for “modern American diet”) is causing depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and a number of other mental and emotional health issues, as well as contributing to type 2 diabetes and obesity. The abundance of processed food, including refined carbohydrates, added sugar, and factory farmed meat and dairy products is undermining our mental health. Hormones and antibiotics which are fed to food animals, along with pesticides sprayed on produce contribute to the problem.

They note that eating the right food is the foundation of good health. While obesity remains a problem in the US, the opposite problem of focusing on weight loss and extreme dieting is also impacting the wellbeing of many Americans.

The authors believe that much of the food we consume is stripped of vital nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin B12, along with essential fats such as conjugated linoleic acid. These natural mood enhancers are found in grass fed beef and full-fat products.

Instead of avoiding full-fat foods and counting calories, the authors suggest instead that Americans go back to the practice of eating nutrient rich “real food”. They also point out that it is better to spend a little bit more money on healthy food, in order to maximize your health.

The typical weight loss plan according to Ramsey and Graham, may be counter-productive as dieters feel less energized and are therefore not as motivated to exercise.

“The Happiness Diet” contains some interesting data to back up the author’s claims regarding American dietary habits, as well as some menu selections and suggestions for healthy food choices.

Source: MSN News