The statistics around the mental health of Australians are worrying, with one in five experiencing a mental illness in any given year. It's an issue that's front of mind right now with the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions interrupting everyday routines, impacting livelihoods and limiting the support networks we all rely on.
And there's undoubtedly been added stress and anxiety for teachers as they continue their essential work.
During these uncertain times, there are a few methods that can help manage mental health and nailing your nutrition is one of them.
Research has consistently found an association between the quality of people's diet and their risk of developing depression, and significant studies have proven the role of good nutrition in helping to treat mental illness.
This is the case across all countries, cultures and age groups.
Despite the evidence, nearly all Australians are failing to meet the basic dietary guidelines, especially in relation to vegetables.
Only 8% of Australian adults eat enough vegetables on a daily basis.
That's where the 50 Day Food & Mood Challenge will help
Over 50 days – eight weeks in total – we will educate and encourage you to eat your way to a healthy gut and healthy mind.
Each week we will equip you with nutrition knowledge that will help you to make the healthiest choices for you, with a particular focus on the relationship between food and mood.
To achieve this, the long-term goal is to consume 30 plant foods per week. That might sound like an unattainable number, and you might also be wondering why exactly 30 is the magic number.
Don’t worry, we will be here to guide you and educate you over the next eight weeks, and also help to create a simple step-wise approach to achieving the magic number of 30 plant foods each week, and best of all, maintain this habit long-term for optimal health.
What's involved?
Education
Each week we'll dive into easily digestible education about various foods and their major health benefits. Our team of Accredited Practising Dietitians make the latest nutrition science super easy to understand and implement.
Encouragement
The next step is taking that new knowledge to the kitchen bench. We provide helpful templates for healthy swaps and delicious recipes for sneaking in nutrients. Plus plenty of support and guidance with our step-wise approach.
Assessment
Come on teachers, you know the drill! Test your knowledge with a weekly quiz and see how you're progressing.
FAQs
So... is this a vegetarian or vegan diet?
Nope! We're encouraging you to add extra plants to your diet and that doesn't mean cutting out meat, eggs, or dairy.
What if I can't cook?
Don't worry, this Challenge will show you that you don't have to be a master chef to eat your way to a healthier, happier mind.
What if I don't have a lot of money to splash?
No stress – we're also going to show you that eating healthy is better for your budget!
Course curriculum
Hi, we're Chloe & Jess, co-founders of Health & Performance Collective.
We're both Accredited Practicing Dietitians and Advanced Sports Dietitians, and together have more than 20 years experience working with individuals to help them perform at their best.
We recognise the role nutrition plays in all aspects of our health and how we feel physically and mentally on a day-to-day basis. We believe that by making small changes to our food intake we can achieve outstanding, long-lasting, results.