We are so excited to introduce one of our newest FAM Mom Contributors! Meet the very stylish and fit mother of four, Rochelle! She will share her wonderful knowledge of Health and Fitness. To learn more about Rochelle check out her bio on the FAM Team page. Her fist post is all about explaining how we are what we eat and how busy moms can make healthy changes.
“The mind-body link is underestimated by most. We all know that what we put in our mouths affects the shape of our body and how it functions. But many of us don’t realise the influence food has on our mind, mentality and mood.
Motherhood brings on a slew of emotions good, bad, or indifferent. A lot of changes are going on physically and emotionally! It’s natural to feel anxiety in your journey through Motherhood, but it should not be debilitating, holding you back, or taking over. That’s when a Mental Health Professional is needed.
In our country, anti depressants are the number one most prescribed drug. Our Nation’s Depression and Anxiety rates are on the rise, especially for women in their 40s.
The demands of Motherhood are extreme and can take a toll without you even realizing. That pressure can exasperate, or even cause some of these conditions.
Eating foods that provide your body with the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs can not only help prevent mental illness but also assists in balancing emotions. The right diet combats feelings of being overwhelmed, lack of energy, lack of concentration, tolerance level, patience and helps regulate sleep pattern.
The neurotransmitters that affect mood are actually located in the digestive tract! As busy moms we are often not getting the nutrients our bodies require as we are making everyone else’s needs a priority. Mothers need to realise that their state of mind is crucial and needs to be treated with the utmost importance.
Knowing what foods are affecting our state of mind is key. Vegetables and fruits and any food that is unprocessed is going to make our digestive system happy and in turn help our mood and brain function
Here are three tips for busy moms to help achieve a happy, calm state of mind.
1. Avoid processed sugar. There is a reason sugar is referred to as sweet poison. It is one of the most damaging and toxic things you can put in your body. It causes weight gain, has zero vitamins and minerals and has the same basic affect on your brain as drugs such as cocaine. Sugar causes an immediate high and feelings of pleasure. But what goes up must come down. The crash you feel as sugar levels are dropping causes irritability, mood swings and fatigue.
2. Make your own raw juices. It is possible to get most of our daily vitamin and mineral requirements in a smoothie. All you need is a food processor or similar appliance. I want to mention that the traditional method of juicing fruit and veg is much less beneficial as you are losing most nutrients in the pulp. Pack as much raw vegetables in as possible. Anything green & leafy such as spinach or kale is amazing. Then add fruits to sweeten and water for a drinkable consistency before blending. Not only are you getting a huge amount of fruit and vegetable nutrients but it will fill you up and get your digestive system moving.
3. Replace some meat meals with plant-based options. Meat is quite inflammatory and most is now heavily processed. I switched to a vegetarian diet myself and was shocked to discover how clear my mind became and the emotional balance i developed. I’m not saying this is for everyone but making a conscious choice to reduce the portion size of your meat or replacing a couple of meat meals a week with a vegetarian option will give you multiple health benefits. I personally used to suffer from depression so I’ve experienced the difference the higher intake of plant-based food has made to my own mental state.”
Meet Rochelle!
“I’m a single mom of 4 kids aged 5, 8, 10 & 16. One boy and three girls. We live by the beach in Sydney, Australia. I developed a passion for health, wellbeing, fitness and the effect food has on our mind and body after watching my mother die at a young age from cancer. I am a nature lover, animal lover and have a great respect for the earth and our environment. I want my children to know where their food comes from and the truth behind the influences of modern-day society. I live by the mindset to never judge anyone. Kindness & compassion go a long way.”
Follow Rochelle on Instagram @miss_rochelle_lee
photos: food photos from unsplash.com
DISCLAIMER
We are not doctors, registered dietitians or fitness experts. The purpose of FashionAveMom health, fitness and wellness posts are to share other mothers’ experiences of striving to fit exercise into a healthy work/life balance and as such the content of this website is in no way meant to replace professional advice.
When it comes to your health and fitness, please do your research and consult a medical or fitness professional before embarking on any diet or exercise plan.
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