You’re probably familiar with the expression, “you are what you eat.”

The food and beverages we put into our bodies becomes our fuel and nourishes us throughout the day. It’s not a stretch to think that what we eat doesn’t just affect our physical health, but also our mental health and overall feeling of well-being. Putting some effort into healthy meal prep can help cut down on unhealthy habits like snacking on junk food, binge eating and going out to eat (which can also give your wallet a break as well).

Food = Brain

The study of how food affects our mood is called Nutritional Psychiatry. It’s a relatively new area of study, but it’s growing fast, with new revelations and correlations between what we eat and how we feel. It’s proven that there’s a lot going on in our tummies that we may not be aware of. For example, serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and appetite, mediate moods and inhibits pain. Since 95% of your serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract, it makes sense that your gut health has a lot to do with your mind health.

According to Felice Jacka, President of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research, “A very large body of evidence now exists that suggests diet is as important to mental health as it is to physical health. A healthy diet is protective, and an unhealthy diet is a risk factor for depression and anxiety.”

Furthermore, there are many studies that suggest a correlation between anxiety and depression with a poor diet.

But we understand, busy professionals on the go sometimes grab a bag of chips instead of a bag of carrots. And many offices are stacked with unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks. How can you avoid the temptation, especially when you skipped breakfast? There’s a solution. Planning ahead can help you dig into a new healthy lifestyle.  

Meal prep works for your mind, body and wallet.

Taking some time to plan out your meals and prep them ahead of time can seem like a daunting task for busy professionals. But putting in only a few hours over the weekend can transform your daily meals into a cornucopia of health that can help sustain your energy throughout the day and keep your mind and body in tip-top shape. Plus, planning ahead will help you cut down on going out to lunch and dinner, or grabbing those chips to get you through the day, saving you time and money over the long run.

Check out our video below for more tips and tricks on meal prep! Happy eating!

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