Wellness Tool: Become a Nutrition (Lay)Nerd

I wouldn't recommend becoming a certified nerd in the nutrition domain, because there is too much information out there to keep up with, much of which is contradictory - even when it is often supposedly science-based! In my (nerdy)family there's a paleo-versus-low-animal-protein-high-plant-based diet dispute that simply can't be settled because no one is actually a dietitian.

But I find being an explorer of the nutrition world to be endlessly interesting, even if I can't always find firm conclusions. The composition of what we ingest as well as our habits around eating are too linked to mood and well-being to not stay curious about.

Here are two easy ways you can learn more about food and your mood.*

1. PAY ATTENTION to what you put in your mouth and how you feel. Sounds easy, I know, but we do A LOT of mindless eating. Plus, since the food scientists can't agree, this is a great way to gather some empirical evidence - that which is collected by your direct experience. 

Take a week and experiment with eating in certain ways and measuring things like energy and mood. Try bigger and smaller meals and ones at different times of day; those with carbs and those more filled with protein. Notice your cravings. Notice your compulsions. Write. it. all. down. [If your initial response to this is that you don't have enough time to pay attention to your food, I invite you to carve out said time. This. is. your. health.]

A few years ago I switched from eating dense sandwiches to hearty salads for lunch and my afternoon fatigue lifted. Occasionally I'll cut out desserts because I am feeling sugar addicted and after the withdrawal symptoms disappear (I'm talking headachy, flu-like symptoms. Anyone who argues that sugar isn't a drug has never tried getting off the stuff), I notice a lot more energy and alertness as well.

See what is true for you. No one knows you better. 

2. Once you notice what foods are linked with feeling more like you want to feel, learn more about them and find ways to incorporate them into your daily diet. My absolute favorite food website is The World's Healthiest Foods, which is filled to the brim (I mean packed) with nutrition information and recipes (and incidentally does cite tons of scientific information). 

I like that they aren't commercially driven, and that they "respect individuality and provide a wide variety of healthy food options. That way each individual can discover the personalized information, recipes, cooking methods and menu plans to meet his or her needs."

Whether you search by food (bell pepper), vitamin (vitamin B), or feeling (fatigue), up comes a world of information that you can incorporate into your culinary and dietary worlds. They even have foods indexed based on nutritional value. I have found that there is so much info that even if I'm not grabbed by a concept or piece of advice, there is enough other content to keep my attention. See what draws you in.

If you are someone who gets dizzy trying to stay caught up on the million food trends, I strongly encourage you to be your own research tool. And let's not forget this research project involves e.a.t.i.n.g. 


*It's hard to advocate listening to your own body and experience and in the same sentence remind you that consulting a doctor is always recommended when talking about health, but I'm going to do it anyway.  They aren't mutually exclusive. I would encourage you more strongly to seek medical attention if you have ongoing issues that may be food related - allergic reactions, digestive problems, chronic fatigue, etc.

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