Is This Shrimp Stir Fry the Answer to Your Mental Slump? | Mental Health Recipes

There’s a major reason the Mediterranean diet is raved about for mental health and overall well-being. Incorporating seafood twice a week gives the body ample amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, which are crucial for brain health (and mental health!).

These fatty acids are known to enhance cognitive function, prevent depression, and contribute to overall brain development and maintenance. And you can gain these through this easy-to-make shrimp stir-fry. 

So, how can you incorporate this delicious and easy meal into your regular weekly meal rotation? Well, let’s dive fork-first into this shrimp stir-fry and discover just how easy it is to make and the exact mental benefits it can give way to!

The Easiest Shrimp Stir Fry

Shrimp is one of the easiest seafoods to incorporate. In many places, you can find it frozen; thus, this makes for easy storage and easy access. In many recipes, shrimp can replace chicken. For example, this stir-fry can be made with chicken; yet, you won’t get the same benefits that shrimp offer.

So, let’s try this shrimp stir-fry on for size! If you want to have rice on the side or as a base, make sure to start this first. Now, let’s dive in.

How Can This Shrimp Stir Fry Elevate Your Mental Wellness?

The main event in this recipe is the seafood. So, let’s start by examining exactly how shrimp can benefit you and your mental health.

Shrimp Supports Brain Health in Multiple Ways

In many circles, brain health and mental health are used interchangeably. This is because they often are the same thing. When our brain health suffers, we mentally suffer as well. 

First up, as previously mentioned, shrimp is high in omega-3 fatty acids. And these fatty acids are associated with a reduced depression risk. It’s thought these nutritional components do so by interacting with neurotransmitters and reducing inflammation. 

Shrimp is also a great source of protein. In fact, this recipe includes about 28 grams of protein per serving, thanks to shrimp! Protein is a necessity for good mental health. It can help:

• enhance serotonin production
• reduce cortisol
• balance blood sugar levels
• and even improve mental clarity

Shrimp is further loaded with B vitamins, including B12. In fact, a deficiency in B12 is linked to increased risks of anxiety and depression. It’s important to consume these B vitamins every day, since the body, unfortunately, can’t store them. Thus, having this shrimp stir-fry can help you out in this regard!

Related Article: Have You Ever Wondered How Much Your Diet Affects Your Mental Health?

Veggies Bring the Ammo!

Then, there are the benefits of bell peppers, shiitake mushrooms, and broccoli. This combination can fuel good mental wellness in various ways.

Broccoli are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and folate—all of which support your brain and mind in multiple ways. In particular, it contains sulforaphane, which acts as an antioxidant and may prevent neuro decline. 

All of the above are high in fiber, which can support good gut health. In turn, this can promote better brain and mental wellness. The brain-gut axis is no joke, and if you’re feeling down, your gut is worth paying attention to! This is partially why your diet matters so much when it comes to feeling good.

Bell peppers further have vitamin C, which is necessary to convert dopamine to serotonin and help regulate mood.

Incorporating these vegetables into your diet by making and eating this stir-fry can offer a range of nutrients that support brain health and may help maintain good mental health.

Their diverse array of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients work synergistically to support brain function and protect against factors that can negatively impact mental health. 

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