20 November, Australia - While Australians may know that comfort food might not be the best mood booster, a new survey has revealed they aren’t taking steps to adjust their diets accordingly.
The new survey[1] from the number one global food and nutrition tracking app, MyFitnessPal found that while 64% of Australians have experienced noticeable changes to their mood after consuming certain foods, we’re not turning those benefits into habits - with half (49%) not making any attempts to improve their mood and wellbeing by adjusting their diet.
As a nation, we’re increasingly knowledgeable about the connection between what we eat and how we feel, with a third (72%) of Australians being aware of our nutrition’s impact on our mood; we’re just lagging behind when it comes to taking that information and translating it into meaningful changes to our diet.
“There is no denying that there is a correlation between nutrient-dense foods, a balanced diet, and our mood. Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats and fibre-rich grains is key to supporting our overall health and wellbeing,” said Melissa Jaeger, RD, Head of Nutrition for MyFitnessPal. “However, it may be challenging to fully understand the true impact of what we eat, and our mood and energy, unless we track our consumption.”
Looking into the food groups triggering a negative impact on Aussies mood and energy, alcohol (88%), fast food (86%), and sugar (76% ) came out at the top of the list. Emotional feelings of stress (47%), sadness (43%), and being upset (42%) were more likely to induce overeating, while being exhausted (45%), angry (43%), and upset (37%) are more likely to make people eat less.
These findings build on a new global white paper from MyFitnessPal in conjunction with Dr. Jenny L. Taitz, Psy.D. titled Food & Mood which found coping with stress, while some individuals eat more, those who eat less may experience feelings of tension, anger, and fatigue[2].
The new evidence-based analysis details the link between dietary habits and mood, while discussing food tracking as one potential tool to understand the relationship between our mood and food choices, and how the information gleaned from tracking food can be strategically leveraged to help make thoughtful food and nutrition choices.
“At MyFitnessPal, we’ve always seen tracking as a tool for gaining insight on overall nutrition intake and for supporting small behavioural shifts that can add up to big, more sustainable change,” adds Melissa Jaeger, RD, Head of Nutrition for MyFitnessPal. “In reviewing the analysis, the connection between food and mood is clear and it’s our priority to support members with their health through nutrition tracking to bring awareness to the foods impacting their overall goals.”
For more information on MyFitnessPal, visit www.myfitnesspal.com or download the app for free via the App Store or Google Play.
[1] Survey conducted by MyFitnessPal's research team of 1,000 Australians aged between 18-64 years old
[2] Ackermans, M. A., Jonker, N. C., Bennik, E. C., & de Jong, P. J. (2022). Hunger increases negative and decreases positive emotions in women with a healthy weight. Appetite, 168, 105746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105746
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About MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is the #1 global nutrition and food tracking app founded in 2005 with a mission to help people around the world reach their health goals through better food choices by providing knowledge, motivation, and a sense of progress. Supporting nearly 1 million people in reaching their nutrition and fitness goals every year, and with a community of over 250 million users in 120 countries, MyFitnessPal offers members one of the world’s most comprehensive nutrition and food tracking platforms, allowing them to track their food, record exercise activity, and log their weight. With one of the largest food databases in the world comprising over 20.5 million foods, access to over 2,000 recipes, more than 40 workout routines, and over 40 connected fitness partners, MyFitnessPal provides members with the tools for positive healthy change.
About Dr. Jenny L. Taitz
Dr. Jenny L. Taitz, Psy.D., is board certified in cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy and is an assistant clinical professor in psychiatry at University of California, Los Angeles. Passionate about spreading evidence-based techniques to a wide audience, she frequently writes for the New York Times and Wall Street Journal and presents her work on leading podcasts, including Ten
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For more information about MyFitnessPal, contact: [email protected]