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Eating healthy, nutritious food is beneficial to both our mental and physical health. But knowing what foods we should and shouldn’t be eating can be confusing, especially when it feels like the advice changes regularly. However, evidence suggests that as well as affecting our physical health, what we eat can also affect the way we feel. A good diet can help to improve our mood, give us more energy and help us think more clearly.
We’ve compiled some top tips that we hope will help in maintaining a healthy diet to best support both your physical and mental health:
Read our Nutrition, Physical Activity and Mental Health in Over 55s Booklet
Fat is an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. There are many different types of fat in the food we consume, such as saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are the type that raise blood cholesterol and are found in biscuits, cakes, and processed meats. On the other hand, unsaturated fats have been shown to lower the risk of the development of cardiovascular disease, and are found in nuts, seeds, and plant oils. Since the body does not make this type of fat on its own, it must be consumed through the diet. Unsaturated fat helps the body absorb vitamins, helps with muscle movement and lowers cholesterol levels.
Whole, unprocessed fruit contains two types of sugar: fructose and glucose, which are both a source of energy for the cells and are part of a healthy diet. Fruit is also rich in fibre as well as a range of different vitamins and minerals. However, it is important to remember that whole fruits are always a better choice than packaged or processed fruits such as fruit juices, which contain large amounts of refined and added sugars.
Salt is an important nutrient for the human body. The body uses salt to maintain healthy blood pressure and to ensure correct nerve and muscle function. However, adults should eat no more than 6g of salt a day (around 1 teaspoon). Eating more than this over time can contribute to high blood pressure, kidney problems, and heart failure.
As a person gets older, they naturally begin to lose bodyweight and muscle mass, resulting in calories being burned at a lower rate (a lower metabolism). This may be due to loss of appetite (which is normal!) because as a person gets older, they most likely will not be as physically active as before. The body will then adapt and lower the overall food intake. However, maintaining a healthy bodyweight is very important to ensure that the body gets all the energy and nutrients it needs
Tips for a low appetite include eating smaller more frequent meals, increasing your intake of nutritious yet energy-dense snacks and eating in a social setting such as at a lunch club.
Vitamin D plays a vital role in human health and is needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Vitamin D deficiency may drastically impact a person’s physical and mental well-being.
Good sources of Vitamin D include sunlight, cod liver oil, swordfish, salmon and fortified milk
The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is a natural part of ageing that usually occurs between the ages of 45-55.
Menopausal symptoms, such as weight gain, hot flushes, night sweats and low mood can last around 4 years after their last period. There are however things you can do to help the symptoms of menopause:
For more tips and resources, download volunteer Bila’s leaflet:
Nutrition, Physical Activity and Mental Health in Over 55s
If you’re over 55 and would like support with food budgeting, nutrition, mental and physical wellbeing, join our FREE Wellbeing in Over 55s workshop!
There is a close relationship between hydration and mental health. This is because mental health is driven primarily by the brain and insufficient water consumption may result in brain function slowing down. Dehydration can lead to increased feelings of confusion and increased fatigue, as well as an increased risk of developing anxiety and depression.
Tips to help improve hydration:
The physical benefits of exercise, such as weight loss and increased energy, are commonly talked about. However, research has also shown that physical activity positively affects a person’s mental health. Psychological benefits of physical activity include a reduction in stress levels, better sleep quality, a reduction in feelings of depression and anxiety, and improved overall brain performance.
Why not join one of our weekly wellbeing groups to connect with others while taking part in physical activity? Our groups include walking, and sports like badminton and football.
Sleep and mental health are very closely linked. Most adults need around 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Sleep deprivation has been shown to significantly worsen the symptoms of many mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Tips for improved sleep:
You can find some more top tips on healthy sleeping habits here.
A non-exhaustive list of organisations providing affordable or free food or emergency food parcels for those in crisis.
FoodCycle Bath
FoodCycle Bath offers a free three course vegetarian meal at 7pm each Wednesday. There is no need to book – just turn up and you will be welcomed with no questions asked!
Phone: 020 7729 2775
Address: Nexus Methodist Church, Nelson Place, BA1 5DA
Community Wellbeing Hub
As a resident of BaNES, you can contact Bath’s Community Wellbeing Hub if you require help with accessing food.
Phone: 0300 247 0050
Email: [email protected]
Bath Foodbank
Call or email Bath Foodbank to be issued an ‘e-voucher’.
Phone: 01225 463549
Email: [email protected]
Mercy In Action Pantry
Mercy In Action provide food that is oversupply from production for their food pantry. Visit their website or call to self-refer.
Phone: 01225 443 600
Website: www.mercyinaction.org.uk/action-pantry
Clean Slate
Clean Slate offer budgeting, banking and jobhunting support.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01225 302 200
A huge thank you to our volunteer Bila for your research and dedication in creating information on food and mood for our website users.
Our Food for Thought nutritional group runs cookery workshops, sharing hubs and event catering. Find out more here.
If you are experiencing difficulties with food and your mood, or if you would like to discuss your wellbeing, you can reach out to us in confidence – our details can be found here.
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