8 Foods that you had no idea were making you Sad

They say that you are what you eat. This statement has often been used to try and explain that meat-eaters are generally more aggressive than plant eaters and vice versa. We don’t know how true this statement is. But thanks to ScoopWhoop, we stumbled across a list of foods that might actually make you sad and contribute to depression. 

It’s important to eat healthy for your body. But this list proves that it’s also important to eat healthy for your mind. While food might not be the sole reason for those Monday blues or any other blues you might have but it certainly could be a contributing factor. Been down in the dumps lately? Try avoiding these 8 foods. 

1. Caffeine 

Yes, it’s good for those little lift-me-ups, but caffeine also has the adverse effect of disrupting sleep which eventually will lead to an effect on your mood. Why? Because when you can’t sleep, you’re cranky, right? This may even lead to agitation, nervousness and tremors. A good idea would be to stay away from those energy drinks. 

2. Fried -anything 

Anything fried in Hydrogenated oils which includes fried chicken, fried cheesesticks, fried calamari and even french fries. We report this rather painfully. According to experts, anything that is cooked with hydrogenated oils and contains trans fats could potentially contribute to depression.

3. Alcohol 

We know what you’re thinking. Alcohol makes everyone happy, right? Especially in the joyful tipsy state. Well, alcohol is actually a central nervous system depressant. Your central nervous system is responsible for taking in information through the senses, controlling motor function, as well as thinking, understanding, and reasoning. It also controls emotion. Slow all this down with alcohol and it’s a recipe for depression. Enjoy your occasional drink, but stay away from the bottle, will you? 

4. Ice Creams & Donuts 

This one’s a shocker. We know. We had to process this one for a bit because let’s face it, there’s nothing like stuffing your face in a tub of ice cream to feel like nothing else in the world matters. But but, not anymore. Foods containing high amount of refined sugar causes your blood sugar to plummet after the first 20 minutes causing a sugar hangover that disrupts our mood, depletes our energy, and is linked to sleep disorders. You could try dark chocolate, though!

5. Artificial Sweeteners

If you thought you could just replace your refined sugar with these and sneak in that extra bit of chocolate, well, you can’t. These actually are worse than refined sugar as it blocks the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin and causes mood dips, headaches, and insomnia.

6. Rice and White Bread 

Processed foods like rice, white bread and cereal has the same on your blood sugar levels as eating a basket of jelly beans. After the initial boost, you plunge into a state of fatigue, irritation and general blues. 

7. Processed Meat 

These are high in saturated fat which can disturb your insulin levels.

8. Fat-free anything 

Fat-free products might do wonders for your waistline but for your mood – not so much. They contain excess sodium that can disrupt your neurological system, contributing to depression, and can muck up your immune system response, causing fatigue.