Food & Mood: The Complete Guide to Eating Well and Feeling Your Best

by Elizabeth Somer, Nancy L. Snyderman (Preface)

Why do you feel tired after eating a full meal? Why do you have so much trouble concentrating? Why do you crave chocolate? Can diet affect depression? Is there a natural cure for insomnia? Nutrition expert Elizabeth Somer answers all these questions and more in this completely updated and revised second edition to her nutritional guide Food and Mood. The result of research encompassing thousands of the most up-to-date scientific studies, Somer explains how what we eat has a direct influence on how we feel, think, sleep, look, and act. She addresses specific food-related issues including health conditions, food cravings, diet struggles, stress, PMS, winter blues, energy levels, depression, memory, and sleep patterns, as well as tackling the issue of supplements and providing the real story on those you need and those you don't. Included is Somer's revolutionary Feeling Good Diet, a program that shows you how to take control of your eating habits to benefit mood and mental functioning now.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Food, Self Help, Psychology, Nutrition, Mental Health

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Rhi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good information and explanation of the biochemistry t the body and how we are affected on a hormonal level by our food choices, but a great deal of the rest of the book I found obsolete and outdated. The second edition, published in 1999 follows suite of nutritional contemporaries of the time, making sure to denigrate fat, while not at all distinguishing between the different kinds of fat, and uplifting Carbohydrates. Actually has a section dedicated to the benefits of fructose (does mention we should "be careful not to overload on HFCS)," refers to aspartame as a safe alternative sweetener, and includes margarine in most baking recipes. If you are interested in the nutritional science and biochemistry that has changed very little in the last 15 years, read chapters 1 and 2 with a grain of HFCS. The rest is an interesting reminder that commonly held beliefs of the day have very little to do with how the body actually works

[Lynnea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit too technical in some spots (textbook-like) but still very interesting and helpful.
I really liked the reminder that you have to change eating patterns gradually to retrain your tastebuds. That you aren't going to go from eating fastfood daily to eating a black bean and couscous casserole overnight. -to just make gradual changes and not try to overdo it because that's what sets you up for failure.
I also liked the idea when talking about cravings, especially chocolate - to not take chocolate away completely, that only sets you up for a binge later. Instead give yourself, for example, 3 Hershey kisses (I'm going to have to have my husband do the rationing for me!) before the craving hits and that will actually keep the craving away.
Good stuff just a lot of it!

[Alyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent because it tells you how foods activate your neurotransmitters and thus your mood. It goes into so many aspects about different emotional effects of food. Insomnia, PMS, Cravings, Energy, Stress pretty much all aspects. It does not however talk about specifically treating mental illness with diet. My understanding is that following the diet is to prevent fluctuations in mood that can be caused by foods. I wish that the directions for adopting the food mood diet in the back would reiterate the wonderful points made at the beginning of the book about when to eat what and how the diet ties back to mood regulation and neurotransmitters. It also has a wide range review of use of vitamins and supplements for moods and nutrition.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for my continuing education credits, so I enjoyed it on that level. It is also a good reference book that helps you take a look at how food could be affecting how you feel. It references studies, talks about vitamins and supplements (pros and cons), is simple to read, and doesn't suggest any over-the-top diet/behavior modifications. I stopped buying my 5# bag of chocolate chips from Sams 4 months ago as a result! ;)

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very helpful but not a "quick reference". This is a complicated subject and I was hoping to be able to grab some quick recipes for serotonin boosting meals or individual ingredients. That's not what this book is about but it did help me gain a better understanding of the relationship between diet and mental health.

[Jana Rea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book with sound research. Explains the interactions between neurotransmitters and macronutrients and how your diet influences feelings of fatigue, PMS, and mood.

[Jennifer Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not my day. I have lost my review twice now due to technical difficulties. Ok, probably due to user error! Maybe I'll come back and write it a third time someday.

For now, know: I read an older version that I felt did not have the most up-to-date nutrition science. You need to get the newest version to really benefit from this.

I am suspicious of nutrition science as a whole thanks to Michael Pollan. I think food affects us in many complex ways that we still do not understand, despite science's claims otherwise. I subscribe to the belief that most of us need to eat less food overall, more real/whole food, and more food from plants. I put down my cookie to type that sentence! It is an ideal I am striving toward even if I do not always follow my best intentions.

My takeaway is that I thought the book had excellent research and some good, practical ideas that would be easy to incorporate.

[Juneko Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had this book for years and finally decided to give it ago. It's an interesting read. Unfortunately, however, after having it for so many years, it's based on research that is now nearly 20 years old and thus is quite suspect. Moreover, many of the studies cited are based on extremely small samples (e.g. studies done on 10-20 people), which is far to small to be able to draw any scientific conclusions. I would love to see an updated version based on better and more recent research but, alas, there is none.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! It is a little technical in the beginning for the lay person, but the author does a good job explaining chemicals and processes enough to give a basic understanding of what's happening in your body when you eat different kinds of foods. What we eat really does influence how we feel. I think most people would relate to the processes, foods and moods and will benefit from Somer's suggestions.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pulled this out again for a healthy tour / cooking demo I am doing this week on Good Mood Foods and was reminded again that it is a great book for learning about how what you eat directly influences your mood, energy, sleep patterns and general well-being. A bit dry and technical in a few parts, but overall interesting for anyone into food and nutrition. Recipes in the back--I may have to make the "To Die For Low-fat Brownies"

[jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting read, though kind of technical. I skimmed through some of it, but there's some good info. about how to balance your carb & protein & sugar intake for maximum energy. Basically, I need to eat a lot more fruits & vegetables, which I already knew. But it's helpful to have some scientific reminders.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really informative book on how the foods you eat can affect how you feel and function. The author heavily promotes carbs as a solution, which I know isn't always the answer for me, but I really learned a lot from the book in general. It includes recipes in the back, and I joked with John that I'm going to make him the PMS Smoothie!

[Grandma Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some good information, but most of it is rather boring, so just skip through those pages. I don't like it when authors tell you exactly how much to eat...I think if you listen to your body, it will tell you when you're full.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and scientific - explains how natural food chemicals (in carbohydrates, proteins etc) affect brain chemicals and thus affect mood.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge wealth of information on healthful eating and on how to use food to make a positive impact on your mood. It works.

[Rose]

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