Quality nutrient rich foods are becoming increasingly difficult to attain. Processed foods however are readily available. These foods are high in processed fats, sugar, sugar alternatives and chemicals. They can hinder recovery and interfere with attaining optimal wellness. Processed foods are not whole foods with fiber and naturally occurring vitamins, minerals and sugar. 

Processed foods can contribute to the potential for a host of health problems hindering mental health recovery. These problems include; under nourishment and nutrient deficiencies, obesity and chronic inflammation to name a few.

To further exacerbate the problem of dietary choices in mental illness, some foods trigger a dopamine feel good hormone release. When sad or depressed you may crave these foods.

High calorie fatty, carbohydrate foods are often the foods craved for dopamine. These include foods such as; pizza, hamburgers, french fries, potato chips, sweets, cookies and chocolate. While they provide a temporary and brief sense of wellbeing the long term effects are not beneficial to your overall mental health and do not aid recovery.

Alternate choices of dopamine foods exist and represent whole foods. These alternatives include; apples, avocados, beets, cheese, milk, yogurt, kefir,eggs, nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, and flax seeds, peanuts, bananas and watermelon. So if you are feeling low and have cravings, reach for one of the whole food recommendations listed above.