Eating for your body and mind by Anouk Govil

Anouk Govil recommends the following diet to maintain maximum health in mind and body. A deficient of nutrients can make us feel very imbalanced and even depressed. We will feel tired both physically and mentally. It is so important to eat healthily at all times but especially when we are feeling like this. Herbs, foods and nutrients of the right kind and the right amounts can bring us back to supreme health.

These foods will provide us with minerals, vitamins, amino acids which will give our bodies energy and replenish our cells. Others can bring us mental balance. Processed and repetitive food intake can lead to an imbalance that we need to address. The same is true if we eat too much sugar or caffeine. So what can we have to redress the balance?

Root vegetables alongside garlic and turmeric help calm the body and release energy slowly. Sweet potato, stewed onions, winter squash or roasted beets and carrots are phenomenally good for us mind, body and soul.

Greens are also very good for us this is because they provide minerals that can stave off sugar cravings this is because they contain a lot of magnesium. They give us iron which gives us energy and vitamin B that is good for our brain and metabolism; this is the way we digest and breakdown food. They are also calming and comforting.  So tuck into your green vegetables and a healthy salad as often as you are able.

Grains like oats, quinoa, buckwheat and black rice are exceptionally good for us. They provide amino acids and proteins that the body needs to remain fit and healthy. They are also rich in B vitamins, fiber and magnesium and they release energy slowly.

Herbs such as basil, thyme and oregano do not just add flavour and texture to our food they are also very calming and nutritious. Mint aids digestion as does parsley. If you enjoy smoothies then add a little sprinkle into your smoothie.

We have all seen the adverts that recommend fermented foods such as probiotics and the best for our metabolism are miso and coconut yogurt. These keep your gut healthy so that you aren’t carrying around unwanted and unnecessary foods in your gut with you.

We are often told to avoid fats at any cost but we do need a number of fats and healthy fats are essential to us to provide B vitamins and to bring a sense of calm to our mind. The best sources of these nutrients are avocados, olives, coconut and nuts and seeds. They will also help your body absorb the nutrients that it needs and without the fat these nutrients may not be absorbed at the same levels. You could just add tablespoon of these to each meal just to enable the nutrients to stick.

Following these basic set rules should enable your body to run at its best, add to this some yoga and other exercise and you should be fighting fit.