- Stabilize their energy.
- Improve their minds.
- Even out their moods.
- Help them maintain a healthy weight.
- Help prevent mental health conditions. These include depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
Which fruits and vegetables are best?
According to the study, the following fruits and vegetables were associated with positive mental health outcomes:
- Carrots
- Bananas
- Apples
- Dark leafy greens (such as spinach)
- Grapefruit
- Lettuce
- Citrus fruits
- Fresh berries
- Cucumber
- Kiwifruit
Raw vegetables and salads are also associated with positive moods and lower stress levels.
The following fall into that category:
- Celery
- Cabbage
- Red onion
- Tomato
- Mushrooms
Processed foods that improve mood:
- Pumpkin
- Mixed frozen vegetables
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Broccoli
- Eggplant
Although the findings don’t show which is best for mental health between raw, cooked or canned foods; researchers say raw foods may be best for optimal well-being.
“Raw fruits and vegetables may provide greater levels of micronutrients than processed fruits and vegetables, which could explain their stronger association with improved mental well-being,” the researchers say. For compounds like vitamin C and carotenoids that have been linked to mental health, “cooking and canning would most likely lead to a degradation in nutrients, thereby limiting their beneficial impact on mental health.”
You can try incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your child’s diet in the following ways: