As the saying goes, “We are what we eat.” This is absolutely true as the nutrients we take from food forms our body. Our diet not only affects our body, but also our mental wellness.

Keeping track of what we take in every day is important. A lack of a balanced diet can lead to depression. Macro and micro nutrients found in foods have a profound impact in energy levels. Diet and depression can go either way.

Proper dieting could reduce depression, but being overly strict on a diet could lead to depression.

“Weight gain and poor body function make you more susceptible to depression,” said Mara Brown, assistant director of wellness at the ULM activity center.

A recent study posted by BMC Medicine demonstrated a group of people with moderate to severe depression improved their mood and signs of depression by maintaining a healthier diet.

“A proper diet definitely helps your body. I think it’s all about what you choose to eat and be happy,” said Nishant Shrestha a junior music major.

“I just avoid sugars in my diet. Other than that, I eat everything, and I am very happy about it! But for some people, it might be a different case. They might want a good physique but don’t want to go on a diet, and if they do, they might feel depressed about not eating what they want to eat,” Shrestha added.

“To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you need to consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods, limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, added sugars and alcohol. I personally think eating healthy with the proper foods works best, but you will need to know your calorie intake,” added Brown.

A proper diet helps you reduce mental stress. For many people, a diet means cutting off their favorite foods. Such an extreme change could easily depress people. In a study by the University of Montreal’s faculty of Medicine, researchers found that nutritional deficiencies and sudden nutritional changes in the body brought withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced by drug abusers.

These symptoms, if continued for prolonged periods of time, could lead to depression. A rapid change in diet may cause  individuals to resume eating the unhealthy foods even more than before as they seek the pleasurable feelings it brings.

Destiny Carson, a senior marketing major, does not believe in dieting, because we eventually end up eating what we want. She points at her high school experience of dieting as evidence. She says that rather than being on a diet and restricting ourselves, physical exercise is more important for releasing toxins out of our body. That being said, Carson still focuses on not eating much unhealthy food, especially soda, which she sees as the most damaging food.

Following a healthy diet is extremely important for physical and mental well-being.

Gradually removing processed sugars and high-fat foods may help reduce some of the intense chemical changes in the brain that will be occurring as the body itself is changing.

With any sudden change in diet, it is recommended you see a doctor not only for the physical side effects, but also the mental.