Wrap Your Worries Away With This Chicken Shawarma | Mental Health Recipes

Savory. Creamy. Zesty! This wrap has it all.

If you’re looking to take your plain-old chicken wrap up a notch, this one fits the bill - it’s got loads of flavor but still keeps your health in mind. 

While it’s not your classical shawarma (hey, if you’ve been to Shawarma King in Ottawa—arguably, the best shawarma outside of the Middle East - this isn’t exactly the same thing), this wrap packs a ton of nutrients and deliciousness in every bite.

The added mango is my favorite twist; a nod to the ladies in Koh Lanta, Thailand, who served up a wrap similar to this, which my boyfriend and I couldn’t get enough of.

So, how can you make this yummy lunch or dinner plate? And how does this improve your mental well-being and mood exactly? Well, hold tight; There’s tons of good info coming at you!

The Best Chicken Shawarma Wrap

Okay, so you do need some time to make this one.

In other words, this is a good one if you aren’t starving but know you’ll be hungry in a couple of hours, and you’ve got time to kill. But full disclosure: it’s totally worth the effort. Check out the recipe below to get started!

How Does This Chicken Shawarma Wrap With Yogurt Mint Sauce Improve Your Mental Well-Being?

Maybe you need a little motivation to get started… I get it; after all, you need a couple of hours to make this recipe.

So, if you’re humming and hawing, here’s a little bit of info to really make you want to throw together the above for dinner this eve! In other words, here’s how this wrap can benefit your mental well-being.

Plain Yogurt Feeds Your Gut

The yogurt in this recipe is packed with probiotics that support your gut microbiome, which research increasingly links to improved mood and mental health. 

Those beneficial bacteria communicate directly with your brain through the gut-brain axis. Research indicates that a healthy gut microbiome can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, while improving cognitive function.

The whole-milk yogurt in this shawarma wrap provides Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains that have been linked explicitly to reduced psychological distress.

For instance, certain counts of these bacteria types have been associated with increasing serum cortisol (AKA the stress hormone). In other words, it’s possible that imbalances of these types of bacteria are linked to mental dysfunction and reduced mental health.

Fermented foods like yogurt further help reduce gut inflammation. It does this by improving the gut wall, protecting your body against widespread inflammation, which is linked to a heap of chronic conditions (including ones that impact our mood and mental well-being!).

Related Article: The Ultimate Yogurt Parfait: Can Greek Yogurt Improve Your Mental Well-Being? How?

Turmeric Adds Anti-Inflammatory Properties to the Mix

This golden spice does more than add flavor and color (although, it does both of these pretty well!). Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that may help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression by reducing inflammation in the brain and body. 

As mentioned, chronic inflammation is linked to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, so adding turmeric to your diet may give your brain a natural anti-inflammatory boost.

In fact, pilot studies have explored curcumin in relation to reducing depressive symptoms. While more research is necessary, the current trajectory is promising, with it plausible that this spice can add even more zest to life than flavor alone.

Chicken Gives You Essential Protein

For satiation and general well-being, we’re often told to eat at least 20-30 grams of protein at every meal.

And this is undeniably important, not just for building muscle! Protein is essential for hormones, neurotransmitters, and basically every tissue in our body. Without it, it’s pretty hard for our systems to produce the proper chemicals and compounds for us to function well.

Beyond that, however, protein also keeps you full for longer. This means you won’t be tempted to reach for sugary or quick dopamine-hit snacks in between meals, which can actually interfere with our body and its systems’ regular functioning (every now and then it’s okay, though! Everything in moderation.). 

It’s Also Packed With Beneficial Fiber!

The whole-wheat pitas, veggies, and mango in this wrap also offer tons of fiber that supports gut health and steady energy. Fiber slows digestion, also keeping you full longer and feeding the good bacteria in your gut - those same bacteria help lower inflammation and support brain function.

Mango adds natural sweetness for a gentle mood boost without the crash you get from processed sugar.

Soluble fiber from mango further helps regulate blood sugar, while the insoluble fiber in whole-wheat pitas keeps digestion regular and prevents toxin buildup that can cloud your thinking and affect your mood. All good things!