Why "Comfort Foods" May Be Discomforting For Your Brain, From A Nutritional Psychiatrist  

Are your favorite "comfort foods" actually creating discomfort for your mental well-being?

When we feel anxious, stressed, or worried (hello, pandemic), it can be hard to stay away from highly processed, sugary foods. Our tendency as human beings is to look for a quick fix, something to distract or hide ourselves from those difficult emotions.

As a nutritional psychiatrist, I've seen time and time again how excess added sugars, artificial sweeteners, fried foods, and processed foods can dull mood and drive anxiety. There is strong evidence that a poor diet, and higher sugar intake, is associated with mental health issues.

Think of it as a domino effect. You feel sad and you eat a cookie. It's a food high in simple carbohydrates and it increases insulin levels and allows more tryptophan (the natural amino acid building block for serotonin) to enter the brain, where it is converted to serotonin. The calming effect of serotonin can take effect in 20 minutes or less by eating these foods—so you do feel good! Because of that good feeling, you may reach for another cookie. And the cycle repeats.

If you want to avoid a blood sugar and emotional roller coaster, I suggest limiting highly processed foods and instead boosting your mood with healthy, whole, and truly comforting foods. Some of my favorites include dark chocolate, roasted chickpeas, golden latte, mixed berries, nice cream made from frozen bananas and cacao powder, kale chips, homemade granola, or my favorite brain-supporting chocolate-hazelnut spread (check out my recipe, below!).