The compulsive cravings rarely turn to healthy products, leaving behind a feeling of ill-being with not insignificant risks, in the long term, on health. In 2004, the American director Morgan Spurlock wanted to draw the general public’s attention to the consequences of this style of eating in his documentary “Super Size Me”. After 30 consecutive days of fast foodthe findings were clear: weight gain, deteriorated state of health and, against all expectations, irritability, mood swingslack of energy, depressive symptoms.
Proof of this is that “diet and psychological well-being are indeed linked”, underline the specialists, Dr Florian Ferreri, psychiatrist, and Franck Grison, dietitian, co-authors of “The anti-depression diet” (ed. Odile Jacob), as well as Dr. Laurence Plumey, nutritionist and dietician, author of “Le grand livre de l’alimentation” (ed. Eyrolles), and to justify that “a healthy balanced diet is good for the body in general and for the brain in particular, therefore for morale”.
Heading for canned sardines
Magnesium, this trace element renowned for its soothing properties, is present in good quantities in cocoa, dried fruits, wholemeal bread, pulses and certain mineral waters (Hépar, Badoit, Vichy, Contrex). Do not neglect omega-3s. “They help maintain a satisfactory emotional state and can protect against low morale,” according to our specialists. These omega-3s are found in rapeseed oils and nuts, flax seeds, lamb’s lettuce and fatty fish such as anchovies, tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines and halibut.
Group B vitamins are also preferred. Wheat germ, oatmeal or brewer’s yeast help keep the nerves strong, boost concentration and ward off fatigue and depression. Once a week, open a can of sardines, sources of omega-3s, vitamin D and calcium (provided you eat the bones), all sprinkled with wheat germ so as not to run out of group B vitamins.
Sweet on Chocolate
Under the pretext that the cocoa is rich in magnesium, it is best not to chew the chocolate bar. The pleasure of the taste buds helping, one or two squares per day are largely sufficient. Most chocolate addicts justify themselves by praising its virtues on their (good) mood. What is it really ? the chocolate is above all a food rich in sugars, “a source of energy that the body needs to perform its functions and fight against stress”, indicate Florian Ferreri and Franck Grison.
A small square contains magnesium, which calms anxiety and stress, theobromine and caffeine with stimulating effects, as well as substances similar to amphetamines, sources of well-being. Unfortunately, their concentration remains too low to be able to compare this sweetness to an antidepressant. On the other hand, the pleasure of savoring chocolate provokes a secretion of endorphins, the pleasure hormones, perfect for temporarily counteracting the winter blues. Only instruction, do not abuse it because of caloric richness.
Read also: Omega-3s, a good mood cure
Anti-fatigue, anti-kilos: the right winter diet
Small pots of a chocolate cream
