Mood Swings

Did you know that sometimes when we do not have all the correct nutrients our body needs, we can feel a little grumpy, tired and sometimes we can suffer a little when we try to sleep.

It can sometimes be as easy as adjusting our foods to boost those all-important nutrients to make our body and mind feel happy again. 

Let’s talk “GUT-BRAIN CONNECTION”

So, we have a direct line in our body from our tummy to our brain, this is what we mean when we say, “Gut-Brain Axis” it is the connection between the two.

Did you know…Some scientists actually call our guts our second brain. 

“WOW”

That is how important it is to feed the tummy (guts) the correct nutrients to help us stay healthy and happy.

Our moods can be influenced by what we eat because of the connection we mentioned earlier. 

So, how can you make sure you are giving your tummy what it needs?

Well, here at Sammy satsuma we recommend these few simple steps to start…

1) Cut back on processed foods

The high fat content and salt can destroy the healthy bacteria in our tummies.
Fresh foods taste so much better anyway and will give you lots more nutrients to keep you happy and energised.

2) Reduce refined sugar intake in particular “High Fructose Corn Syrup”

This is sometimes written on ingredient lists as “HFCS”. This can damage the balance of good bugs in our tummies too, we need lots of good bugs to keep our immune system happy and working well.

What happens when we lose a fair amount of good bugs in our guts causing an imbalance?

This imbalance can cause increased sugar cravings, which can damage your gut still further. 

Moods can change making us feel tired, grumpy and we can lose quality sleep even though we are tired. 

What else can we do?

Well, these foods below can be beneficial. …

Wholegrains, bananas, greens, onions, garlic, soybeans, and artichokes act as food for healthy gut bacteria. 

Foods like natural unsweetened yoghurt are full of good bacteria already.

Some other foods that are good for gut health

• Fennel. Fennel is a plant with a pale bulb and green stalks
• Kefir. Kefir is a dairy product that results from adding kefir grains to milk.
• Chia Seeds. Chia seeds are also an excellent source of fibre. Kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented tea
• Papaya
• Tempeh
• Beetroot
• Miso

Do you know what else is good for keeping us happy and healthy?

Forest Bathing, also known as “Shinrin-yoku”.

Now, you may not have heard of this, but it is actually recommended in Japan by some doctors.

It means taking in all of one's senses, the whole forest atmosphere. Not simply taking a walk in the woods. It is the conscious practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest.

Do you love walking in forests?

Next time you walk somewhere in the forest or by a woodland, why not take a big breath in and close your eyes, breathe out slowly and then relax. Smell the forest and notice the sounds around you.

Just think how happy your tummies will be when you do this.