Title: Health Check: how food affects mood and mood affects food
Headings: Health Check: how food affects mood and mood affects food
Health Check: how food affects mood and mood affects food
Highs and lows
The right frame of mind
In the driver’s seat

Content: There’s also evidence suggesting some people in a positive mood are more likely to choose healthy foods if they feel their good mood is going to last. If not, they may be more likely to choose indulgence foods to sustain positive feelings. Other research indicates that regardless of mood, long-term, future-focused thinking can lead to healthier food choices. And there’s evidence for gender differences in the effects of mood on consumption of comfort foods. People in a negative frame of mind are more likely to choose sugary, fatty or salty – indulgence or comfort – foods rather than nutritious ones. Luke/Flickr, CC BY-SA
One study found that women are more likely to eat indulgence foods when they’re feeling depressed, lonely or guilty. While men are more likely to turn to soups, pasta and steaks as a reward when they’re feeling upbeat. In the driver’s seat
Clearly, these relationships are complicated but which is likely to be the stronger driver – mood or food? In other words, does the consumption of particular foods lead to mood changes, or is our mood generally the predominant factor in determining the food we choose to eat? Research suggests the foods we consume may be of paramount importance, and that what’s eaten today may affect mood a couple of days later.