Improving Eating Habits
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Eating plays a role in everything in our bodies including our moods. If you aren’t getting enough nutrients or eating often enough, it will affect your mood overall and how you function. Foods give us the energy to complete daily tasks as well as cope with stressful occurrences in our lives. There many different ways to improve the food we eat and our mood such as:
Observe how certain foods affect your mood (both negatively and positively). Some negative examples are soda; sugary snacks might make you feel tired or irritable. Heavy, fatty foods might make you feel sluggish. Caffeine might make you feel jittery and more anxious and interfere with sleep. Some positive examples are complex carbohydrates and fiber give you slow and steady energy. Proteins also provide your body with steady energy that helps you stay active and strong both physically and mentally. Fruits and veggies provide energy, boost your health and give you a sweet or crunchy treat without zapping your energy or making you feel guilty.
Notice whether you are eating too much or too little.
Start thinking about changes. How can you begin to either increase amounts of healthy foods you eat or change up your meals? Keep track of your food choices in a food diary every day to see your progress.
Start small. Don’t try to make dramatic or drastic changes all at once to your diet. You may feel overwhelmed, or not stick to it, which might set you up to fail. Start slowly and gradually to change your habits. Examples to try: cut down on processed foods and add more fresh foods. Add more fruits and veggies to meals and have them for snacks. Add lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and onion to sandwiches. Add fruit to cereal.
If you are unsure where to start looking at your dietary needs, or the needs of your children, consider meeting with your primary care provider or a nutritionist.
Written by Lexie Honey, LCSW and Krista Dropps, MSW Student Intern
Lexie Honey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at the Campbell County Medical Group Kid Clinic, a school-based pediatric clinic in Gillette, Wyoming. The medical clinic serves children ages 2 weeks to 18 years old; and counseling services for children 4 years old to 21 years old. For more information, call 307-688-8700 or visit www.cchwyo.org/kidclinic. The Kid Clinic is a collaborative effort between Campbell County Health and Campbell County School District.