When it comes to matters of the mind, the body and our social environment all play a part, which is commonly entitled “bio-psycho-social”. When looking at how our issues are affecting and impacting us, they are also affecting others around us. What we might eat, drink and how we sleep will in turn affect our moods.
If you’re not feeling well, you have anxious and stressful episodes or a general sense of malaise, do an inventory of what you’re eating. Bear in mind that if you’re not eating well, over indulging in unhealthy snacks or drinking too much alcohol this will affect your mood and also your sleep. Alcohol disrupts sleep patterns although it can send you off to sleep. It dehydrates you, and if you feel you are drinking to numb your feelings, check in with a therapist to talk things through.
Make a point of drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day.
Whilst the “keto” diet may be seen as a “fad” diet in some popular media, it was used as an effective intervention with epileptics in the 1920s. I have seen people gain an awful lot from this low carb, high fat (LCHF) way of eating and much research supports this as a healthy way of eating. A documentary on Netflix called the Magic Pill discusses ways in which people have been helped with this diet, from epilepsy to autism and even cancer and alzheimers. People may liken the ketogenic diet to the Atkins diet; the two have similarities but are different in that keto is high fat rather than high protein; and we are talking “good fats”. If you are interested in further research, do check out the book The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz.
Another misnomer is regarding the good / bad cholesterol: a crucial point often missed is that sources of fats don’t exist naturally that do not have some mix of the three main fat sub groups. Many people believe that saturated fats clog arteries – which they don’t. Trans fats and vegetable oils are to be avoided for numerous reasons, but all other ‘natural’ fats are fine. Saturated fats are not ‘essential’ fats, but do no harm, rather plenty of good. We need to stop using the terms ‘good cholesterol’ and ‘bad cholesterol’ because these are molecules that simply do not exist. There is only one form of cholesterol which is called ‘cholesterol’. It is one of the most essential molecules in the body. The common notion that there exists a ‘bad’ version of the cholesterol molecule is one of the biggest misconceptions driving people’s willingness to entertain the fallacy that it can be ‘reduced’ by taking tablets. [source: Tony Royle]
If you plan on undertaking any new diets do check with an enlightened GP first. What you decide to do is entirely up to you and what fits your lifestyle and family. Whilst I myself generally follow a ketogenic lifestyle sometimes a nice plate of chips is just what my inner doctor ordered!
Have you ever considered doing a DNA genetic test on your fitness and nutrition genes? These kits are popping up all over the place, but if you were keen on trying one that I myself have tested, click here for the DNAFit test. They can help you with food sensitivities, your fitness genetics etc. For example I discovered that I have a higher Omega 3 requirement but very interestingly that I carry the coeliac gene. Whilst this isn’t necessarily a determinant of being coeliac there may be some bearing as to why when I eat a lot of wheat (or gluten for that matter, which did test positive on a blood test) my stomach feels quite bloated.
The test also suggested that I have a predisposition to endurance rather than power; so I can run further but not necessarily have lots of power to do quick surges (I’ll save the sprint finish for the finish)….. You can sign up here with DNAFit.
Another company, VITL also offers DNA nutrition testing, together with blood tests and also packages up the right vitamins for you based on your genetics or the blood test. Click here for a free 2 week trial!
Other books I can recommend are:
The Pioppi Diet by Dr Aseem Malhotra
The Real Meal Revolution by
Please note the above are affiliate links to purchase through Amazon. I write content on here freely but like everyone need to earn a living! Thank you in advance.
You may find conflicting evidence online about this approach as with anything potentially seen as “new” (it’s not, Ice Age Man was known to eat mainly fats!) but there is an awful lot of evidence also supporting the low carb lifestyle. This youtube clip is fascinating, supporting the idea that a low carb diet helps Type 2 diabetes. It can also support Type 1 patients but this needs much more careful monitoring by a medical professional.
DISCLAIMER: Please ALWAYS check with a medical health professional when undertaking any new or radically changed diet!
Many suggest that drinking a glass of warm water with a touch of lemon a great way to start the day!
A ketogenic diet helps with weight loss, clarity of mind, energy (once you are adapted from glucose to fat burning)! Do consider joining my facebook group to share ideas and tips!
Self care is so important I feel; booking a relaxing hypnotherapy session is one thing, going for a run is another; sometimes just booking in to see a hairdresser or some pampering is a great way to unwind!
Here are some sample recipes I’ve recently made.
Ketogenic Bread Rolls
Spinach Gratin
