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Summary of Questionnaire Responses September 03, 2006

To date, I have received fourteen responses to the Mood Food Questionnaire – eleven women and three men (only one of which was not friend or family). It may be a reflection of the people I know, but everyone had a keen awareness of good nutrition – whole grains, sufficient protein, and avoiding sweets. Acting upon this knowledge is the struggle. Perhaps it’s that they know the basics (which foods are good and bad), but they aren’t certain how to assemble them. A major challenge is achieving a balanced diet that overcomes cravings.

Several of the respondents suffer from moderate to serious depression and have explored various treatments; many having tried antidepressants. Most of the respondents struggle with alcohol – drinking too much and suffering from the aftermath. Most of the respondents described sugar cravings and are aware of its ill effects. Few mentioned caffeine. Several things stand out as triggers for why people indulge in junk food and alcohol – social situations, stress, and loneliness.

The relationship between mood and food is strong; the following quotes just scratch the surface…

“When I’m overweight and feel like I’m ugly, I tend to eat even more because I feel badly about my appearance.”

“I definitely eat for some wrong reasons. i.e. come home from work, a little tired and stressed, and eat tortilla chips and salsa - while standing up in the kitchen - totally unthinkingly - as a destresser, rather than take the time to prepare a meal.”

“If I eat sugar I feel high for a little while and then I crash, leading to bad moods and depression. Alcohol affects me at least 5 times stronger than sugar. If I don't eat enough protein I feel really unbalanced.”

“I have felt like such shit all the time, and have been super depressed, not least because I know that the self- medicating is at best temporary, and at the worst self-defeating and only serves to exacerbate the low feelings.”

“I just get caught in the cycle of feeling crappy and eating crappy because one begets the other.”

Summary
I felt quite honored by the amount of information that people shared. There was resounding awareness of the relationship between food and mood and unanimous interest in exploring ways that nutrition could enhance their well-being. There are a few prominent themes:

  • Food and alcohol as relief from stress and distress: It seems that peoples' “comfort foods” and “take-the-edge-off” drinks are actually adding further stress to their systems. I am curious if they’re diverting their emotional discomfort to a more manageable digestive/physical one.

  • Detox plans: These dramatic plans, such as Fat Flush, often provide a short-term outline that people are able to follow, but the sustenance program is difficult to internalize. I have heard people celebrate the conclusion of their detox with a freedom to “retox.”

  • Processed foods: I believe the line between processed and unprocessed foods is blurred by healthier snack options. Someone’s sugar cravings might be indulged by dried fruit or juice keeping them on the blood sugar roller coaster. Likewise, whole grain crackers and chips are still processed and replacing whole foods that could be providing a more fulfilling, complete set of nutrients. Processed foods, of any sort, also perpetuate mindless snacking.

  • Body image: Seeking physical well-being versus a particular aesthetic goal. With a shift to noticing how they feel rather than how they look, their reward systems might also shift. Junk food is often used as a reward. With better awareness of how it makes them feel, it might rather be seen as a punishment.

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