Eating & Nutrition
Healthy eating habits are important for both wellness and athletic performance. The brain requires a supply of energy and nutrients to function optimally, rendering diet to be a key component of mental well-being and function. Studies have also shown that for tissue growth and development, abundant amounts of energy and protein are essential.1 Both healing and recovery depend greatly upon proper nutrition. The brain and body need to be fueled to recover from tough practices, injuries, and competitions. This recovery takes place in the brain through new learning and neurological connections, as well as in the body through adaptations to the bones, muscles, and other organs. The growth, change, and learning necessary to become an elite athlete require proper nutrition.
Research has also linked healthy diets with lower rates of mental illness and has demonstrated that a poor diet is often detrimental to mental health.1 In fact, in a study among adults with depression, half of the participants received social support treatment while the other half were coached on healthy diet changes. After 12 weeks, 32 of the nutrition group went into depression remission, while only 8 of the social support group went into remission.2 This does not imply that social support is not important for mental health, but rather, that nutritional changes can have a major impact on mental health. In truth, it would be ideal to have both social support and healthy eating habits for optimal mental health. Unfortunately, mental health challenges are frequently accompanied by disrupted eating patterns. This may be a loss of appetite, craving sweet foods, skipping meals, bingeing episodes, or other disruptions.1 These disruptions can start a cycle, where mental health challenges trigger unhealthy eating patterns, and these eating patterns then render it difficult to recover because the brain is not properly fueled. Nutrition and eating habits play a major role in mental wellness, both in prevention and treatment. Nutrition is essential for brain function and mental well-being among athletes. Proper fueling is also necessary for physical growth, development, and performance. If your eating habits have room for improvement, getting help is important.
Bobcat Athletics Registered Dietitian
Brittney Patera, RDN, is the first Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist at Bobcat Athletics. Patera helps Bobcat teams create nutrition options for peak performance and provide education and nutrition counseling for student-athletes. You can book a nutrition appointment HERE.https://msubobcats.com/sports/2020/5/13/nutrition-appointment-booking.aspx
Location: Brick Breeden Fieldhouse
References
1. Thomas, D. (2019). The Importance of Nutrition in Improving Mental Health and Rehabilitation Outcomes. Positive Health, 256, N.PAG.2. Lindley, J. K. (2021). Food for Thought. Health, 35(2), 64–66.
Developed 2021 by Quinn DeStefano, OTD Student
Reviewed 2021 by Aaron Grusonik, MA, Psy.D
Reviewed 2021 by Aaron Grusonik, MA, Psy.D
