Dr Maree Brinkman and Rachel Chieng
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time not just in terms of the virus but also for our mental health. Stressful events such as lockdowns can lead to cravings and a tendency to adopt certain dietary behaviours not consistent with health recommendations, such as having a higher intake of processed/fast foods high in sugar, and saturated fats. Excessive consumption of these dietary factors as well as higher intakes of alcohol potentially can have a further negative influence on both our physical and mental health.
In several studies, the fear of COVID-19 and lockdowns have had a major impact on the mental health, dietary intake, and nutritional status of individuals worldwide. One study reported that a diversified and balanced healthy diet may not only help to improve the immune system and overall physical health, but also potentially could help to modify the “negative effect of lockdown on depression” [1].
In a 2020 Italian study, almost half of the participants felt anxious due to eating habits such as seeking comfort foods and having a higher intake of food to feel better, particularly among the female study participants [2]. Another study also reported that comfort eating was common among young Saudi women [3]. Vietnamese students also have been found to increase their smoking and alcohol consumption during this stressful time [4]. Adopting these unhealthy habits may worsen mental health, with most of these studies finding a higher risk of depression, anxiety and in some cases insomnia from these compensatory behaviours.
Although studies are still analysing the validity of mental health changes due to nutrition, this has been an area of increasing research over the past decade even before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and its overall adverse effects. One study comparing a traditional diet (vegetables, meat, fish, fruit, and whole grains) to a western diet (fried foods, refined grains, sugary products, beer) found there were lower odds of anxiety and depression in those who ate a traditional diet [5]. Other studies have also reported on the potential for better mental health outcomes from positive dietary habits like following a Mediterranean style diet, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, and including fish and nuts regularly in the diet [6, 7].
During COVID-19, it is hard to maintain or even start healthy eating habits. However, by ensuring that you have access to plenty of fresh seasonal produce and enlisting the support of health services to promote healthier eating and lifestyle behaviours, it may help to improve both your physical and mental health during the pandemic and going forward post COVID-19.