Healthy eating/gardening/anxiety

[rainbowninja]

Is anyone interested in joining a thread about the impact of healthy eating on their mental health?

I've suffered from anxiety for years but it's been a lot worse since I became a mum.

With lockdown in the mix I just feel physically and emotionally depleted.

I've had some tests done and I know that I am low in certain vitamins etc. I've been recommended supplements to take and to 'eat the rainbow' (basically eat shed loads of veg). I want to give it a go for my own sake and my daughter because I know I'm not being the best mum to her. I'm anxious and irritable.

It feels quite overwhelming but I am quite interested in learning about nutrition, I also quite like the idea of having a go at growing some of my own veg as I've been enjoying being outside lately and I know it helps me.

I don't want to do it on my own though so I wondered if there were any other anxious mumsnetters out there that would be interested in learning/growing with me. No pressure to change anything overnight, maybe we could just cheer each other on for drinking an extra glass of water or something?

Yes! I have just been reading about the benefits of certain ways of eatings on mental health.

What vegetables are you thinking of growing?

I find a water bottle helps with keeping my water intake high.

Ooh thanks for joining @Squidelicious!

I've been trying to remember to refill my water bottle mid afternoon as really don't drink enough water.

I've ordered a raised coldframe for the garden (mini greenhouse on legs!). I'm thinking some salad leaves would be a good starting point. How about you? Got any garden aspirations?

Have you read the well gardened mind by Sue Stuart-Smith? You may enjoy it.

I am trying to grow some chillis, peppers and tomatoes and then some herbs as well at the moment. And, I've joined the low carb boot camp thread as well that starts on Monday.

Thank you for the recommendation. I haven't heard of it but the author is local to me so that's quite cool!

You sound like you're a step ahead of me in the gardening game. Can you grow any of those things outdoors yet or is it still too cold?

Hi rainbowninja, can I join? I started eating healthy 3 weeks ago to help with my mental health and IBS. I have more energy, my skin is healthier and I feel more focused.

Just struggling with willpower this week as I'm off work and bored. I would normally be doing lots of boredom eating.

I've grown carrots, herbs and beetroot in the past. I'm hoping to start planting soon.

I've been trying to drink more water. Trying to gradually increase how much I drink.

Hi @Lokikitty! Yes please join!

That's great that you've already had some success. I don't think I have IBS but certain foods clearly don't agree with me and I've probably been in a bit of denial about it 🙄

I made minestrone soup tonight but husband ordered an Indian takeaway. I had a small bowl of soup and some of the takeaway but mainly stuck to the veg. Small win!

Thanks rainbowninja, it's been a difficult few weeks but worth it. Well done for only having a bit of the take away. I wonder how much longer it will take for the healthy eating to become a habit that comes naturally. I am constantly searching for new recipes as the things that I used to cook weren't very healthy. It just feels like hard work at the moment.

I made some fishcakes today which went really well. I used arrowroot flour and was pleased that I couldn't taste the difference.

@Lokikitty I think the key to this is going to be finding healthy food we enjoy!

I'm on the hunt for new recipes too, I just subscribed to delicious magazine which seems to have quite healthy recipes in it.

What fish do you use in your fish cakes? I'm not generally a fish eater but I feel like I'm missing a trick there

You're right rainbow. The magazine is a good idea. I'll get some cook books when the libaries reopen.

I made a potato bake and apple crumble without sugar today. Both went really well.
I use salmon in my fishcakes. I've only made them twice. Fishcakes would probably be a good way of having fish, if you're not too keen on eating fish on it's own. You can't really go wrong with salmon. It doesn't need a lot adding to it.

I'd like to join but my focus would be exercising instead. Is there a place for me? I know I can't get out of where I am right now without exercise but I just can't imagine starting.

I also have food problems which I know don't help but I think that for me I need to start with the exercise and then sorting out food will start to get easier.

Thanks @Lokikitty I might have a look at doing some salmon fish cakes 😊

Well done on the baking! Apple crumble sounds lovely, hope it turned out ok without the sugar? I had a couple of m and s almond and pistachio cookies today but I'm definitely having a lot less sugar which is big for me. I used to be a bit infamous for my love of chocolate 🍫

@MissKeithsNeice yes, welcome! I could do with increasing my exercise too. I currently do half an hour twice a week but haven't done that during half term 😬

Definitely makes sense to focus on one thing at a time and start small. Have you found exercise helpful in the past? What would you do?

Thanks for letting me join. Running and yoga have helped massively in the past. I can't imagine starting running again so I'm going to try to start yoga again once studios are open on May 17th. I also have the chance to so some swimming lessons from that date as well which I'm considering.

What's everyone's food plans for the weekend? I have just picked up a salad and burcher museli to get me started today. I have adhd and huge food issues: I just can't prepare food for myself and so go long periods without then binge on sugar. Any food effort I have goes on feeding the family but that feels so exhausting that it wipes me out.

My dh has just given up sugar and processed carbs and its had a really big positive impact on him. I'd love to join him as I know the not eat/sugar binge cycle im in really has impact on my well being but i don't know how to change it.

Rainbow- apple crumble was perfectly fine without sugar.

MissKeithsNeice - it's definitely a good idea to focus on one thing at a time. I started with diet because I knew that would have the biggest impact on my health. Then 2 weeks into my sugar detox, I started going for walks. Managed to do a 2.5 hour walk yesterday.

Tackling your food habits seems more challenging for you. Maybe small changes every day, when you've got used to your new exercise routine. When you're exercising and feeling better, the diet changes might not seem so daunting.

It was the other way round for me. Eating better gave me the energy to exercise more.

I'm doing salmon with asparagus and potato wedges for lunch. Not decided what I'm having for tea.

My DD has seen what a big impact my healthy eating has had on me. She's going to try to eat more healthy foods.

@MissKeithsNeice it's brilliant that you know what has helped in the past. I had a go at the couch to 5k last year and frustratingly although I felt like I was doing ok from a fitness perspective I found that I was starting to feel a bit panicky when I was running for longer periods of time and I have since learnt that running can bring on adrenaline surges that aren't helpful for everyone so I'm sticking to low impact stuff. I do love yoga though, that'd be great if you could get back to a class.

I had a tomato and mozzarella salad for lunch and I've also made deliciously Ella's sweet potato 'brownies'. I wouldn't exactly describe them as brownies 😂

Well done on the Salmon and Asparagus @Lokikitty! How old is your DD? I've got a 6 year old and she's a pretty picky eater, I fear she's taking after me on that front 😬

Yes, I’d enjoy a thread like this. I’m currently having a mental health blitz, I’ve worked solidly through the pandemic in a medical capacity and was really starting to feel depleted in every way. I’ve ditched the booze, which wasn’t a huge quantity but does negatively affect my mental health. Switch to herbal teas after midday and will be planting salad veg, tomato’s herbs and runner beans etc. I’m not much of a gardener at all but I can grow these things. I try to limit red meat and indeed quantity of meat in my diet. When I really feel flat I do a big pot of soup, whatever veg is going bendy in the fridge, a veg or chicken stock pot and some red lentils, garlic turmeric and a little chilli. Once cooked I add some fresh chopped parsley and it really feels like a bowl of goodness. Lidl do good live potted herbs which I’ve found are quite easy to keep alive by repotting and keeping them watered. I firmly believe you can eat really healthily inexpensively. I buy frozen broccoli and green beans, great for stir fry and soups. Slow cooker is also a wonderful thing. For me it’s a must for my mental health to eat well. I take vitamins too, well woman plus and also lavender for anxiety. Cutting the caffeine and crud out of my diet did give me banging headaches so nothing shameful about the odd paracetamol if needed. Good thread

@rainbowninja it's still freezing here overnight so they are in my conservatory but I don't think anything is actually growing. I may be prodding too much.

Some herbs are outside but they have come back from last year.

I didn't eat very well today, I've not been feeling great but I plan to shop and batch cook tomorrow and I did meal plan five days of vegan low carb breakfasts for next week.

The weather is so miserable, I've taken a double dose of Vitamin D the last few days but I have failed miserably at any other self care.

What are the sweet potato brownies like?

Welcome @Gingerbeerfear, great to have you and you have so many good tips! I did a veg soup like that this week and agree, it felt like a bowl of self care 😊

I feel like you're underselling your gardening skills. My coldframe has arrived and I haven't put anything in it yet 😂

I've got some lamb marinading in the fridge tonight and we're planning to do a spinach and chickpea curry to go with it tomorrow.

Rainbow- the sweet potato brownies sound interesting. Did they taste okay?

My DD is 18. She's under a lot of stress with University deadlines, so trying to encourage better eating habits.

I tried making sugar free blueberry muffins. They weren't that nice. I'm going to try a different recipe next time. I made lamb chops with veg and salad for tea. Followed by strawberries and cream for dessert.

I met up with a friend and did a 2hour walk.

I love veg soup @Gingerbeerfear but I never think to get round to making it. I might try later. I'm always put off by the fact that noone else in my family considers it a meal - but if I reframe it in my head as looking after myself then that will motivate me I think.

I ate well yesterday. Ate a lot, and none of it was sugar. Also drank a large glass of water - I'm guilty of not drinking much normally so I'm pleased with that.

I need to buy a food processor I think - there are a couple of batch cooking veg recipes everyone in my family loves but they involve so much chopping that I can never be bothered.

Local pool opens tomo - tempted to join. They have sessions til 9.45pm which could be awesome for my sleep and well being.

Hope everyone has a nice day. I'm jealous of your lamb and curry @rainbowninja. That would be my dhs dream dinner.

Sweet potato brownie update: once you get over the fact that it isn't a brownie it's actually not bad. They've set into a smooth texture a bit like a cheesecake today. In fact I'm having one now as a 'pudding' with a spoon of creme fraiche and it's really quite nice!

I also remembered that I had to make mine with agave syrup instead of maple as I didn't have any in and I can imagine that the maple syrup would have added a nicer flavour. Worth another go I reckon, maybe with some chopped nuts 🤔

Shame about the blueberry muffins @Lokikitty, I did a healthy strawberry cake once and was really disappointed. These things often look the part but just don't have the same flavour!

@MissKeithsNeice I've just bought a food ninja food processor and it seems pretty good. I had a kmix for years and never liked it so finally invested in a new one and this doesn't look as nice but it seems a lot more powerful!

Glad your sweet potato brownie turned out nice. I'm doing brownies using dates.

Made the brownies. They turned out nice. I will use dates in baking from now on.

Dates work really well in baking don't they? I've made flapjack a few times with them too.

Thanks for helping me stay motivated! I haven't planned much in the way of meals going forward but I've got my vegetable box arriving tomorrow so hopefully that will inspire me!

You've made me want to try flapjacks now. I'm glad this thread is helping you stay motivated. Hope you manage to make some lovely meals with the vegetable box. I made salt and pepper chicken today. Used all the ingredients that I normally would, just replaced the cornflour with arrowroot flour.