The Link Between Fast Food and Depression Confirmed

Millie; This reaffirms what I have been saying for years; There is a direct link between health and happiness.  Also intake of the  wrong fats (junk food,  vegetable oils, soy oil, etc.)  leads to  depression.  SATURATED fats are what our brains need; beef fat from grass fed animals, organic free range chicken and eggs, coconut oil…all of these fats promote brain health and alleviate depression.

March 30, 2012 in Health

According to a recent study headed by scientists from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Granada, eating commercial baked goods (fairy cakes, croissants, doughnuts, etc.) and fast food (hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza) is linked to depression.

Published in the Public Health Nutrition journal, the results reveal that consumers of fast food, compared to those who eat little or none, are 51% more likely to develop depression.

Furthermore, a dose-response relationship was observed. In other words this means that “the more fast food you consume, the greater the risk of depression,” explains Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, lead author of the study, to SINC.

The study demonstrates that those participants who eat the most fast food and commercial baked goods are more likely to be single, less active and have poor dietary habits, which include eating less fruit, nuts, fish, vegetables and olive oil. Smoking and working more than 45 hours per week are other prevalent characteristics of this group.

A long-term study

With regard to the consumption of commercial baked goods, the results are equally conclusive. “Even eating small quantities is linked to a significantly higher chance of developing depression,” as the university researcher from the Canary Islands points out.

The study sample belonged to the SUN Project (University of Navarra Diet and Lifestyle Tracking Program). It consisted of 8,964 participants that had never been diagnosed with depression or taken antidepressants. They were assessed for an average of six months, and 493 were diagnosed with depression or started to take antidepressants.

This new data supports the results of the SUN project in 2011, which were published in the PLoS One journal. The project recorded 657 new cases of depression out of the 12,059 people analyzed over more than six months. A 42% increase in the risk associated with fast food was found, which is lower than that found in the current study.

Sánchez-Villegas concludes that “although more studies are necessary, the intake of this type of food should be controlled because of its implications on both health (obesity, cardiovascular diseases) and mental well-being.”

The impact of diet on mental health

Depression affects 121 million people worldwide. This figure makes it one of the main global causes of disability-adjusted life year. Further still, in countries with low and medium income it is the leading cause.

However, little is known about the role that diet plays in developing depressive disorders. Previous studies suggest that certain nutrients have a preventative role. These include group B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil. Furthermore, a healthy diet such as that enjoyed in the Mediterranean has been linked to a lower risk of developing depression.

My book, The Criterion Diet, is now available as an eBook!

This 30 Day Guide to weight loss, better health and higher energy is a how-to guide with  menus and recipes from Millie Barnes, a Chef and Nutrition Coach with 30 years experience helping clients lose weight, heal from allergies, learn how to eat gluten, soy  and lactose free.   The basis of this way of eating is a Traditional Human Diet that is low carb, delicious and meets all of your nutient needs. 

Buy it at Barnes and Noble – Click HERE

Buy it on Amazon- Click HERE

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INANIMATE OBJECT?

My Global knife, it’s like an extension of my hand!  Being a Chef, my knife is in my hand a LOT!

Green man Gourmet in Avondale is Offering my Desserts!

My Gluten, Soy and Lactose Free Desserts debuted in Green Man Gourmet this week!

Visit this beautiful store in Avondale to pick up the following Gluten Free Desserts;

Almond Berry Tarts – Soft and buttery on the inside, crisp on the outside, these tarts are made with almond meal, real butter, and fresh blueberries.   

Millie’s Chocolate Almond Macaroons-    These chocolate and coconut delights have remained my customers favorite since I first made them. They have a hint of cinnamon.

I will be announcing more locations here soon..check back…

Tightening Your Belt; Tips from The Great Recession that Will Help you Be Healthier AND Save Money

George Monbiot wrote in the Guardian almost exactly a year ago that a recession might not be a bad thing, and that perhaps there can be too much growth. He also wondered if we all have enough cars and cellphones, and don’t need to keep making them. Perhaps he should be careful what he wishes for.

It is also true that almost all of the things that we preach as being good for the planet are also good for getting recession-ready; use less stuff, lower your heating bills, reduce your use of electricity, make your own dinner — all these things that make less carbon dioxide also save us money. Most of them make you healthier too. Here are a few ideas:

Tighten Your Belt in the Kitchen

1. Ditch prepared meals right now Consumers have been led to believe that they don’t have the time to cook and it simply isn’t true. You can have a healthy meal on the table within half an hour. Prepared meals have unhealthy fats, more sugar, more salt, more preservatives, and more garbage waste than anything you can cook yourself.

2. Plan ahead: Yes, this is going to take a bit of effort, but once you get going it will be easy. Make sure you have a well stocked pantry. Canned or dry legumes, rice, pasta, canned tomatoes should all be on hand to make quick, nutritious meals.

3. Plan your week: Take the time to work out a menu plan for the week. Most people grocery shop once a week and they toss things into their carts, without considering what they really need. If you know what you are going to eat, and you have the right ingredients, you’ll be less likely to call for takeout, or head out to the fast food joint.

Brown Bag It If you eat your lunch out every day, you might not realize just how much it is costing you. If you have soup and a sandwich and a drink, you are probably spending at least of $10.00 a day, maybe more. Now think about how much further that $50-plus would go if you used it to buy groceries. I don’t normally spend more than $10 per day for all three of my meals that I cook at home. This is probably one of the quickest ways for you to start saving money.

There is no question that taking your lunch to work every day takes some planning, but once you get used to it, you won’t find it hard. As I mentioned in THIS POST , you should invest in a thermos. You should also invest in some reusable containers as well as a reusable bag so that you aren’t creating more waste.

ANDSqueeze Out The Last Drop

Less is definitely more when money is tight; it is better for your budget and better for the environment. Squeezing out the last drop of the things that we use means that less stuff goes to the dump as well. Here’s how:1. Use less than recommended: Are the shampoo manufacturers suggesting how much to use and then “rinse and repeat” serving their interest or yours? Try using less and less each time until you figure out the minimum you can get away with.2. Dilute it: So much of what we buy is mainly water anyways, why not just add a bit more? When you get to the bottom of a bottle, rinse it out and use that too.

3. Get the last drop: Leave bottles upside down for a couple of hours. Roll up that toothpaste tube.4. Use tools: Dig into corners with Popsicle sticks and old toothbrushes. Use scissors and cut that tube or bottle to use every bit.

Get Your Car Recession Ready

The car is one of the biggest expenses people have, and one where the changes you make can have a big impact on the amount you spend, and the greenhouse gases you generate.

Of course, the best thing you can do is ditch your car completely, and we have a couple of alternatives for that.The biggest and most cost-effective thing you can do is Throw away the keys and live car-free. According to a 2004 American Automobile Association study, the average American spends $8,410 per year to own a vehicle. That’s equal to $700 per month, and a lot of potential savings when you throw away your keys