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?

I had a cheddar, celery and mayonnaise sandwich today
That sounds really nice, I might try it. I haven't really eaten much this week and really need to try and get back into preparing and eating food - may I join you? I would also love to grow my own food but don't have a garden!

@HelloMist I feel like I remember you posting before! Welcome back 😊 That sandwich sounds delicious!

@rifling yes please join us! The 'growing' part of this healthy eating plan has gone by the wayside a bit but eating and preparing real food is something we can all have a go at!

I made protein pancakes this morning for the first time, used a recipe from the food medics book. I used chocolate protein powder and am happy to say they were really nice!

Hi Rainbow,

A new dessert place opened near me and I went there to try it out. Ended up getting food poisoning.

My daughter is studying game art. She learns how to design background, characters and objects for games.

I love pancakes. I haven't done a food shop yet, so just made normal pancakes with lemon and sugar. My daughter had hers with butter and marmite.

Not had a good week. I had a dentist appointment Thursday evening for 2 extractions. My gums are still swollen and sore .

Hi @Lokikitty,

Didn't know you could study that, my daughter loves games too. She's currently obsessed with Pokémon and Zelda!

Hope you've felt better after your dentist trip, you must be due a break!

I made quinoa salad at lunch and chocolate protein banana bread this evening, more for my daughter than me although think I might find it hard to resist!

Hi Rainbow,

I came down with a cold yesterday. That break doesn't seem to be anywhere in sight!

You're doing well with your cooking. I haven't cooked for 2 weeks. I was too busy over half term with work and feel too unwell this week. I'm just picking at food. Not able to have any proper meals.Hoping things will be better next week 🤞

@rainbowninja Thank you :) I think we were on another thread together and perhaps you or I linked this one.

@Lokikitty lemon and sugar is my favourite too. Hope you feel better soon.

Hi @rifling. I'm growing various small plants in a sunny window. 1 is parsley from a supermarket and 1 a "living lettuce" from ocado. I tried to grow lettuce inside from seeds but so far no luck. Perhaps you could grow a herb (or even a chilli plant or something) like this? If you have space.

@Lokikitty oh no! That's rubbish, take it easy and have what you fancy until you're feeling better ❤️

I seem to have found a bit of renewed enthusiasm, I got a new cookbook for my birthday a couple of weeks ago called 'food, what the heck should I eat?' and having some new recipes has helped. Made a chicken salad for lunch today.

@HelloMist oh yes that sounds familiar! Knew I knew your username! Great idea about the herbs, there's something really satisfying about adding fresh herbs to cooking, always makes me feel like I've done something good! Didn't know you could get a living lettuce either, must investigate those!

The supplier suggests keeping it in the fridge, lightly watered, but a window works well. We normally waste too much if I buy a whole plastic wrapped lettuce (I'm the main one eating it). Or the pre cut stuff goes off quickly.

I made a fish pie yesterday. I don't always cook things like that myself but it tastes much nicer when I do.

@HelloMist I was looking at living lettuces and then totally forgot to order one 🙈 it's a great idea, a lot of salad does get wasted in our house although I did remember on one occasion recently to put some little gem leaves in a bowl of water in the fridge and it did last longer.

I ate a whole bag of dark chocolate sour cherries last night and my stomach's not thanking me for it today. Clearly not buying my reasoning that dark choc is healthy.

To make up for that I've been good today, coconut yoghurt for breakfast, broccoli and edamame bean pasta at lunch and lamb this evening.

How are you @Lokikitty and @rifling?

Hi Rainbow,

I'm starting to feel a bit better. I had to make a dentist appointment yesterday. I was in a lot of pain. I had an infection from the extractions and also from a tooth on the other side that needs removing. My teeth are badly damaged from years of throwing up when stressed and poor diet.

As you can imagine, eating isn't much fun at the moment. Although I have finally found a ready made soup that I like. I had Tesco's 3 bean chilli soup for my lunch.

I started taking antibiotics yesterday and they are already helping. It's felt like a very long week at work. I have been dragging myself through some of the days.

I'm working tomorrow at the special needs centre. Looking forward to it as I haven't done a shift there for a couple of weeks.

Your new cookbook sounds good. It's nice to try new recipes. I'll hopefully feel upto cooking on Sunday. What are your plans for the weekend?

Hi all, just come across this thread and would like to join😊
I suffer badly with anxiety and depression and would like to eat better, exercise more and have some success at gardening!
Have been scrolling through and noting all ideas. What's everyone's favourite quick and easy healthy dinners? Xxx

Hi @Lokikitty,

I really feel for you, tooth pain can be horrendous, I had a period of a few years where my wisdom teeth kept getting infected and I couldn't open my mouth properly 😬

Hope you had a good day at work? I saw my brother for lunch - we had quinoa burgers and this evening we had a chicken salad. My friend is coming round tomorrow and we are having roast pork with plenty of vegetables!

Hi @lovechipsandcheese,

I'm sorry you've been experiencing anxiety and depression, wouldn't wish it on anyone but hurray for wanting to create a healthier lifestyle!

When I first started I didn't cut anything out of my diet but I started trying to 'eat the rainbow' apparently getting a variety of colour in your diet means you are getting lots of different vitamins and minerals. It was less pressure to try and think what to include rather than what to avoid.

Hoping to get outside more now that we're heading into spring!

Hi Rainbow,

It's likely that my tooth will keep getting infected. It would cost £600 to remove because I need a surgeon to do it. Decided not to have it removed at the moment.

Had a lovely day at work on Saturday. We had animals in for the children and played basketball.

You're doing so well with your cooking and healthy meals. My dd was in charge of meals yesterday. I was exhausted. She did me beans on toast for lunch and chicken teriyaki buns with sweet potato fries for tea. I'm hoping to do a bit of cooking this week 🤞

Hi @Lokikitty,

That's quite shocking re. the tooth extraction price, not surprised you're leaving it for now.

That does sound like a lovely day at work!

What's on the menu this week? I made a fennel and pea tray bake yesterday and it was actually really nice, it was basically a salad with some roasted veg. Today I feel quite low in energy and unmotivated although I have ordered a new book - how to grow veg in a single raised bed so I'm quite excited for that to arrive tomorrow!

hi everyone, nice to read the food you've been eating. @rainbowninja good to be reminded of the "eat the rainbow" idea, this might help inspire some veg buys and meal planning.

I added some (red) lentils to our spag bol and it went down well with fussy DH and my DD, a pleasant surprise! DH noticed but enjoyed it. It helps the meat go further and made the sauce thicker as well as adding some vitamins & protein.

I'm giving blood this week for only the second time. Bit nervous but more idea what to expect this time. The staff were lovely my first time.

I've been upset about something today. Haven't quite sorted out the issue but will try not to let it get to me as much tomorrow.

Hi @HelloMist,

Great move on the lentils and spag bol, lentils are a good source of minerals apparently, must do something with them again soon.

I chose my username before I came across the 'eat the rainbow' phrase but it's become very apt 😂

How old is your DD? I'm trying to improve my 7 year old daughters diet but she is very fussy. I've copied out a list of the top 100 foods for health and am trying to find ways to include them, it's a work in progress!

Hope it goes well with the blood giving and that you have a more positive day ☺️

Hi Rainbow,

I love the sound of the fennel and pea tray bake. Where do you get your recipes from or do you just make it up? Your new book sounds interesting. Let me know how the planting goes.

I haven't cooked yet. Had fish fingers for tea! I wanted to go back to walking to work today but the antibiotics have left me feeling tired and nauseous. Haven't been able to go to my Zumba classes this week. Looking forward to going back on Monday.

Still a lot of staff and children off at work. When will things get better?

Hi @Lokikitty,

Got the recipe from an app called the 'doctors kitchen'. Liked that first recipe but haven't found anything else I want to cook yet!

How are you doing now with your tooth?

I made buckwheat pancakes this morning and had salad and chicken wings for lunch, had a bit of anxiety last week so am trying to be quite sensible.

Consuming healthy food diet is based on your body health. I always likes to eat raw vegetables. Especially carrot, beet root, tomoto and cabbage. Don't take heavy stress on your food diet. Feel free and eat with cool mind. Doing gardening is makes our mind calm and get good vegetables , fruits in a natural way.

Hi Rainbow,

I find it hard looking for good recipes. Sorry to hear that you have struggled this week. How are you doing?

The tooth is fine now. The infection has cleared. Someone at work recommended a dentist that will remove the tooth for £300, which is good to know.

I've been cooking this weekend. Did biryani on Friday and courgette frittatas last night. Did enough for 2 meals both times.

Felt quite energetic this weekend. Got lots of cleaning and tidying done. Did you have a nice weekend?

Hi @jeffersonsam,

That's great and I couldn't agree more, I used to be obsessed with why I was going into fight or flight, now I'm all about 'rest and digest'! Do you garden? I've just ordered some seeds to get going on mine.

Hi @Lokikitty,

Bit better this week thanks, had a nice weekend seeing my mother and father in law and been steering clear of the sugar and feeling more myself.

Oh I'm glad things have settled down with your tooth and that you've identified a better option if it does need to come out.

I love the sound of a biryani and courgette frittatas, I've been batch cooking too. I made granola this morning which should last a while with lots of healthy nuts and seeds. I also made asparagus soup at lunch and I've saved half of it and put the other half in the freezer.

@rainbowninja

Hi *@jeffersonsam*,

That's great and I couldn't agree more, I used to be obsessed with why I was going into fight or flight, now I'm all about 'rest and digest'! Do you garden? I've just ordered some seeds to get going on mine.

Happy to read your reply. All the very best. Yes, I also do my gardening during my free time. In my graden, I planted mango, guava, coconut, papaya and lemon tree. Now I riped fruits from the tree after doing 6 to 7 years hard work.

@jeffersonsam, your garden sounds amazing! I'm guessing you're not in the UK 😂 glad the hard work has paid off!