Happy FAQ Friday :) This week I was asked to talk about "insecure mentality about oneself and how diet affects it."
I'll be honest: I still have those moments when my inner critic gets LOUD.
In trying to combat my own inner a**hole, I learned something super fascinating: part of it actually starts in the gut. 🤯 🤯
(I know!!!)
New science is showing that what you eat doesn’t just affect your body; it influences your brain chemistry, mood, and even self-perception!!!! 🤯 🤯
Researchers have found that gut inflammation and nutrient deficiencies can reduce serotonin and dopamine — two neurotransmitters that support emotional stability and confidence.
For me, this 100% explained why I tend to feel more insecure or down on myself after I eat too much sugar or something junky...
Who of us feels mega-confident after eating processed foods??
🧠 Confidence & The Gut-Brain Connection
Our guts and brains are in constant conversation through the gut–brain axis — a two-way communication system involving nerves, hormones, and millions of tiny microbes.
When the gut is balanced, it sends “feel-good” signals to the brain. When it’s not, we feel anxious, irritable, or overly self-critical.
As someone who has dealt with depression on and off for decades, this new research is all the motivation I need to eat more kale and less crackers.
How a plant-based diet supports mental and emotional health:
1. Calms inflammation.
Chronic inflammation can mess with mood-regulating brain chemicals. Antioxidants from plants help calm that internal stress. Greens & berries are the best source. 🫐 🥬
2. Feeds your gut microbiome.
Fiber feeds healthy bacteria that boost serotonin production. Oats, beans, bananas, and leafy vegetables are fiber-rich.
3. Stabilizes energy and mood.
Whole foods release energy slowly, keeping blood sugar steady preventing emotional rollercoasters or self-doubt crashes.
4. Improves body awareness.
When you nourish yourself, you naturally begin to trust your body more. That sense of trust grows into confidence.
🌟 Takeaway: Confidence doesn’t just come from affirmations or mirrors. It comes from how you treat yourself daily. Every nourishing, plant-based meal is a vote of love for the person you’re becoming. 💚 You deserve it.
Get your free 7-day plant-based meal plan here