{"id":10438,"date":"2022-04-23T09:30:25","date_gmt":"2022-04-23T14:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gncholdings.wpengine.com\/learn\/beauty\/how-eating-a-balanced-diet-can-impact-mental-and-emotional-health\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T13:09:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T18:09:12","slug":"diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html","title":{"rendered":"How Eating A Balanced Diet Can Impact Mental And Emotional Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"10438\" class=\"elementor elementor-10438\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c944958 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c944958\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e6d332e\" data-id=\"e6d332e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c9599d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c9599d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\tWe already know that we are what we eat, but did you ever think about how this common saying may apply specifically to your mental health? Therapy, meditation and yoga with <a style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;\" title=\"yoga mats\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/equipment\/yoga\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">yoga mats<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"> are some of the things that are usually associated with improvements to mental and emotional health\u2014but the connection of our mood to our diet is sometimes overlooked. <\/span>Holistic Health<span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">, also known as integrative health, is an approach to well-being that considers the <\/span><i style=\"font-weight: inherit;\">whole person<\/i><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">, including their mental, emotional, social, spiritual and physical well-being, and the interplay between these elements of wellness.<\/span><sup><a title=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nccih.nih.gov\/health\/complementary-alternative-or-integrative-health-whats-in-a-name\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1<\/a><\/sup><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"> Holistic health practitioners have long recognized that our diet can support mental health through multiple pathways and there is growing interest among researchers regarding how we may be able to influence mental health with our diets. There is even a new(ish) field of psychiatry called \u201cnutritional psychiatry\u201d which looks at how things from nutrients to foods to overall dietary patterns can affect mental health.<sup><a title=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5360575\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2<\/a><\/sup><\/span>\r\n\r\n<b>READ MORE: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wellness\/achieving-holistic-health.html\">Looking For A Lifestyle Change? 5 Tips To Achieve Holistic Health<\/a>\r\n<h3>Dietary Patterns And Mental Health<\/h3>\r\nThe link between diet and mental health makes sense, as the brain relies on nutrients like lipids (fats), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/muscle-builders\/amino-acids\/\">amino acids<\/a> (the building blocks of protein), vitamins and minerals in order to function properly. Deficiencies or inadequate intake of these nutrients are associated with things like depression or cognitive impairment.<sup><a title=\"3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0924977X19317237?via%3Dihub\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3<\/a><\/sup> Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses (which are thorough summaries of research on a given topic) have found that healthy diets are associated with better mental health.<sup><a title=\"4\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/24196402\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4<\/a>, <a title=\"5\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25208008\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5<\/a>, <a title=\"6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3534562\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">6<\/a><\/sup>\r\n\r\nHere are a few food and mood studies to chew on:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>A 2013 systematic review and meta-analysis found that even across various cultures (including studies on American, European, Asian and Australian people), diets that contained lots of fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains were associated with better mental health outcomes.<sup><a title=\"4\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/24196402\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>A 2010 study found that a diet rich in fruit, veggies, beef, lamb, fish and traditional whole-grain foods was associated with a lower likelihood of having depression and anxiety, while dietary patterns that are richer in processed and \u201cunhealthy\u201d foods (a more traditional Western diet) were associated with a higher likelihood of psychological symptoms and disorders. I\u2019d say that\u2019s a literal and figurative sad face for a diet filled with processed foods!<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A 2013 meta-analysis found that people who ate a primarily Mediterranean diet had less risk of cognitive impairment and depression. Some examples include: High intake of fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, pulses, nuts and seeds; Moderate consumption of dairy products, fish, poultry, eggs and olive oil; Low to moderate intake of wine at mealtime and low intake of red, processed meats and saturated fats.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Recipe For Good Mental and Emotional Health<\/h3>\r\nMental health is complicated, and many disorders require treatment with medications and\/or therapy. Diet should be viewed as a way to complement physician-recommended treatments but should certainly not be overlooked as part of your plan to support your mental health. Here are a few takeaways (the proverbial doggy bag of this article) to help you make some positive changes to your diet:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Plant foods including fruits, vegetables and many culinary herbs are incredible sources of antioxidants and compounds that may help protect cells from damaging free radicals. Fill as much of your plate as you can with these!<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The brain uses carbohydrates to make brain chemicals that are linked to our sense of well-being, so focus on healthy sources of carbs like whole grains, fruits and veggies as part of your daily diet.<sup><a title=\"12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2738337\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">12<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Neurotransmitters are made from amino acids, most of which come from protein in the diet. The research discussed above showed that lean proteins, especially fish, were linked to better mental health, so focus on those when choosing protein.<sup><a title=\"12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2738337\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">12<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\r\n \t<li>More than 50% of our brain is made of fat, much of which is from the omega-3 family that many people do not get enough of through their diet.<sup><a title=\"12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2738337\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">12<\/a> <\/sup>When you eat fat, focus on healthy fats like the ones from fatty fish, avocado and extra virgin olive oil.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Try to eat at regular intervals to keep your blood sugar steady and your brain fueled up throughout the day.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! The brain needs lots of water to stay in tip-top shape, so keep your water bottle handy and sip away.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe good news about all of this is that most of the foods and dietary patterns that are associated with good mental health are also often associated with long term health benefits. If you make healthy changes to your diet for your mental health, you may have a positive impact on your physical health as well. Those are some major bonuses when following a healthy diet!\r\n\r\n<b>READ MORE: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wellness\/managing-stress-in-chaotic-times.html\">Managing Stress In Chaotic Times<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6ac5a7d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6ac5a7d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-28c769c\" data-id=\"28c769c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba9e6ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ba9e6ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/gnc-health.html?intart=bannertest\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"117\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gnchealthslimd-1024x117.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-16837\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gnchealthslimd-1024x117.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gnchealthslimd-300x34.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gnchealthslimd-768x88.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gnchealthslimd-1536x176.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gnchealthslimd.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You are what you eat\u2014a common saying that we usually only think of as it applies to physical health. Well, read on to learn how this saying applies to your mental and emotional health, too!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":20611,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2161,1153],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How Eating A Balanced Diet Can Impact Mental And Emotional Health | GNC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You are what you eat\u2014a common saying that we usually only think of as it applies to physical health. Well, read on to learn how this saying applies to your mental and emotional health, too!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Eating A Balanced Diet Can Impact Mental And Emotional Health | GNC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You are what you eat\u2014a common saying that we usually only think of as it applies to physical health. Well, read on to learn how this saying applies to your mental and emotional health, too!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"GNC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-04-23T14:30:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-03T18:09:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/893571_Feb2021_BalancedDietExerc.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"769\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"497\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Rachel Kreider\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Rachel Kreider\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#article\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"author\": {\n\t                \"name\": \"Rachel Kreider\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#\/schema\/person\/0c238e17de2737fa6bc752d7a57fa0cc\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"headline\": \"How Eating A Balanced Diet Can Impact Mental And Emotional Health\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2022-04-23T14:30:25+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-02-03T18:09:12+00:00\",\n\t            \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"wordCount\": 790,\n\t            \"commentCount\": 0,\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/893571_Feb2021_BalancedDietExerc.jpg\",\n\t            \"articleSection\": [\n\t                \"Weight Loss &amp; Management Expert Education\",\n\t                \"Weight Loss &amp; Weight Management\"\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"CommentAction\",\n\t                    \"name\": \"Comment\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#respond\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html\",\n\t            \"name\": \"How Eating A Balanced Diet Can Impact Mental And Emotional Health | GNC\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#website\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"primaryImageOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/893571_Feb2021_BalancedDietExerc.jpg\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2022-04-23T14:30:25+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-02-03T18:09:12+00:00\",\n\t            \"description\": \"You are what you eat\u2014a common saying that we usually only think of as it applies to physical health. Well, read on to learn how this saying applies to your mental and emotional health, too!\",\n\t            \"breadcrumb\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#breadcrumb\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ReadAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#primaryimage\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/893571_Feb2021_BalancedDietExerc.jpg\",\n\t            \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/893571_Feb2021_BalancedDietExerc.jpg\",\n\t            \"width\": 769,\n\t            \"height\": 497,\n\t            \"caption\": \"Cutting board with salmon on it, surrounded by nuts, veggies, dairy, and fruit.\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#breadcrumb\",\n\t            \"itemListElement\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 1,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Learn\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 2,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Weight Loss &amp; Weight Management\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 3,\n\t                    \"name\": \"How Eating A Balanced Diet Can Impact Mental And Emotional Health\"\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#website\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"GNC\",\n\t            \"description\": \"\",\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"SearchAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"EntryPoint\",\n\t                        \"urlTemplate\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/?s={search_term_string}\"\n\t                    },\n\t                    \"query-input\": \"required name=search_term_string\"\n\t                }\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#organization\",\n\t            \"name\": \"GNC\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/\",\n\t            \"logo\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/GNC-Logo.svg\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/GNC-Logo.svg\",\n\t                \"width\": 186,\n\t                \"height\": 26,\n\t                \"caption\": \"GNC\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"\n\t            }\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#\/schema\/person\/0c238e17de2737fa6bc752d7a57fa0cc\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Rachel Kreider\",\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/2023_01_24-Rachel-Kreider_sm.svg\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/2023_01_24-Rachel-Kreider_sm.svg\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"Rachel Kreider\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"description\": \"MPH, RD\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/author\/rachelkreider\"\n\t        }\n\t    ]\n\t}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How Eating A Balanced Diet Can Impact Mental And Emotional Health | GNC","description":"You are what you eat\u2014a common saying that we usually only think of as it applies to physical health. Well, read on to learn how this saying applies to your mental and emotional health, too!","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How Eating A Balanced Diet Can Impact Mental And Emotional Health | GNC","og_description":"You are what you eat\u2014a common saying that we usually only think of as it applies to physical health. Well, read on to learn how this saying applies to your mental and emotional health, too!","og_url":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html","og_site_name":"GNC","article_published_time":"2022-04-23T14:30:25+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-03T18:09:12+00:00","og_image":[{"width":769,"height":497,"url":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/893571_Feb2021_BalancedDietExerc.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Rachel Kreider","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Rachel Kreider","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html"},"author":{"name":"Rachel Kreider","@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#\/schema\/person\/0c238e17de2737fa6bc752d7a57fa0cc"},"headline":"How Eating A Balanced Diet Can Impact Mental And Emotional Health","datePublished":"2022-04-23T14:30:25+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-03T18:09:12+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html"},"wordCount":790,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/893571_Feb2021_BalancedDietExerc.jpg","articleSection":["Weight Loss &amp; Management Expert Education","Weight Loss &amp; Weight Management"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html","url":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html","name":"How Eating A Balanced Diet Can Impact Mental And Emotional Health | GNC","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/893571_Feb2021_BalancedDietExerc.jpg","datePublished":"2022-04-23T14:30:25+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-03T18:09:12+00:00","description":"You are what you eat\u2014a common saying that we usually only think of as it applies to physical health. Well, read on to learn how this saying applies to your mental and emotional health, too!","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/893571_Feb2021_BalancedDietExerc.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/893571_Feb2021_BalancedDietExerc.jpg","width":769,"height":497,"caption":"Cutting board with salmon on it, surrounded by nuts, veggies, dairy, and fruit."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet\/diet-impact-on-mental-and-emotional-health.html#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Learn","item":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Weight Loss &amp; Weight Management","item":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/diet"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How Eating A Balanced Diet Can Impact Mental And Emotional Health"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/","name":"GNC","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#organization","name":"GNC","url":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/GNC-Logo.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/GNC-Logo.svg","width":186,"height":26,"caption":"GNC"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#\/schema\/person\/0c238e17de2737fa6bc752d7a57fa0cc","name":"Rachel Kreider","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/2023_01_24-Rachel-Kreider_sm.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/2023_01_24-Rachel-Kreider_sm.svg","caption":"Rachel Kreider"},"description":"MPH, RD","url":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/author\/rachelkreider"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10438"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10438"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10438\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}