While we all know certain foods can be bad for our physical health, it turns out some of your favorite eats can also wreak havoc on your mental health.
According to Sue Ryskamp, a senior dietitian at Michigan Medicine’s Frankel Cardiovascular Center, lots of things we love to eat can increase inflammation that not only leads to chronic disease, but also has a negative affect on our hormones, which can put folks in a really bad mood.
So, which foods do you need to stay away from if you don’t want to experience such mood swings? Of course, many of them are delicious, even if they are high in saturated fat and simple carbohydrates.
Among the worst:
- Macaroni and Cheese – Mac and cheese is just filled with high saturated fats which can directly affect your hormones. Ryskamp doesn’t think people should give it up all together, but suggests having a small portion with a vegetable high in plant hormones that can balance the negative affects.
- Soda – The sugar in soda, usually from high fructose corn syrup, can have a huge affect on insulin levels, even worse than that of table sugar. And that's bad becuase insulin is a important hormone that helps our body use energy in food.
- Hot Dogs – Processed foods like these are high in saturated fat, which can contribute to inflammation and can throw off our hormonal balance. Ryskamp suggests that when you do have one on occasion, try to eat a less processed dog, like say an organic frank.
- Candy – Refined starches and sugars can alter hormones, and that goes for so-called healthy sugars like agave and honey. Experts suggest limiting sweets and goodies as much as possible.
Source: New York Post