I am someone who suffers from anxiety, and I have a tendency towards depression.

At times, it has made my life very difficult to live, and I have been prescribed anti-depression medications on multiple occasions. I am fortunate, in that I have had extensive counselling and therapy, been on courses, and have read many books which have helped me improve my ability to cope. I have implemented exercise, mindfulness and gratitude practices into my life. I have worked hard to get on top of this condition, and have added many tools to my toolkit to help me manage my anxiety, to make sure I don’t fall into depression again.

Interestingly though, never once during my visits to the doctor, the psychologist or the therapist, did they make more than a glancing enquiry about what I was eating.

I can attest, from my own experience, that changing to a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has significantly improved my ability to cope with anxiety.

I still experience anxiety, but my underlying sense of energy and wellbeing is so much greater than before. When my mind sends me off into anxiety thinking, I still use the techniques in my toolkit, so it is not just the diet that matters. But since changing what I eat, my baseline is higher, and my ability to cope is definitely stronger.

In addition to eating a plant based diet, I make sure I exercise regularly, and spend time in nature, as strategies to maintain my mental health.

Scientific research backs up my experience. On Dr Greger’s website, NutritionFacts.org, he summarises the research into this helpful video – Fruits and Vegetables Put to the Test for Boosting Mood.

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Ministry of Health has published a list of what a person can do to help themselves when they have depression. One of these is to eat healthily, along with other behavioural options like reducing stress and getting more exercise and sleep. They describe healthy eating as choosing food from the main food groups – these groups are made up of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and seeds, as well as dairy, eggs, poultry, seafood and lean meat. They describe healthier eating as eating foods with unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats, that are low in salt (sodium), with little or no added sugar, and that are mostly ‘whole’ or less processed.

These guidelines go a way towards moving people onto a path that is beneficial for their health. But I wonder if they go far enough? A quick google search on the state of mental health in New Zealand brings up many articles describing a problem that is getting worse, and where people are having trouble accessing help.

Dr Greger summarises the research available and it clearly shows that plant based diets improve mood and productivity. Given that many people need to find solutions to their own mental health issues, in a system that is struggling to cope, I wonder why the Ministry of Health doesn’t go further in its recommendations around food? How about a recommendation to eat primarily whole vegetables & fruit, whole grains, seeds, nuts & legumes, and to avoid or eliminate dairy, eggs, poultry, meat, oil, salt, refined sugar and processed foods?

Earlier in my life, I would have loved to know that I could make significant improvements to my mental health by changing to this whole food plant based way of eating.

Some may argue that it is too radical a change for the government to recommend. But I look to my own experience with anxiety and depression, which made me eager to try anything to feel better. Armed with the research on the actual impact of the food we eat, a person who is suffering will surely be strongly motivated to change how they eat? And while this research is not being shared widely, surely we are depriving people of the right to make informed decisions for themselves?

I am not asking for us to all live constricted lives. And I am not saying that I am perfect! Anyone who knows me, knows my love of chips has not waned. But I am armed with the knowledge that eating them has an effect my mental health, as well my waistline. And that knowledge allows me to make informed decisions. That is my wish for us all.

If you experience anxiety or depression, my thoughts are with you. I can highly recommend the change to a whole food plant based lifestyle as a step towards improving your situation. Check out the rest of this website for ideas on how.

Wishing you abundant health!

Feature photo by Blake Weyland on Unsplash