Be happy, be healthy: how a good diet improved this man’s mood and well-being
- The health benefits of weight loss and a good diet are well known, and a recent study shows the benefits include mental health
- Better nutrition and a lower body mass index both improve mood and feelings of self worth, and reduce symptoms of depression
When Andrew McGrath saw photos of himself from his Christmas holiday in 2017, he thought he looked enormous and decided to take immediate action. His main goal was to get into better shape, but the Australian business owner noticed something else after embarking on a weight-loss diet and shedding a whopping 15kg: he felt happier.
“I’ve always been a happy and upbeat person, but since losing weight, my outlook on life and the way I feel about myself is even more positive,” says the 52-year-old, who moved to Hong Kong in 2002.
“I believe that diet has a strong correlation to our mood. Heavy meals made me feel sluggish, but after switching to an eating plan that featured more protein and vegetables and fewer carbohydrates, I slept better, had more energy and could concentrate better.
“Losing weight also helped with my heartburn and snoring and minimised my acne breakouts. All this definitely contributed to a more positive frame of mind. Having others notice my weight loss and commend me for it also boosted my confidence.” It seems that a trimmer body is not the only benefit of being on a weight-loss diet.
An international study, published in February this year in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, found that improving your diet could significantly reduce symptoms of non-clinical depression.