The Cookie Eating Monster

By Marilú Acosta

The relationship between mental health and eating is usually seen from the side of the better known eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, where either people stop eating or binge eat or eat as an addiction. All this involves problems in the way of thinking about food, eating, weight and the body. In addition to the distress it generates on a biological, social/family, mental and emotional level. These disorders can occur in anyone, at any time. What is little talked about is the relationship that the quality, quantity and types of food have on mental health.

Changes in food production in the countryside have contributed to a substantial decrease in the amount of nutrients (vitamins and minerals) in the products of the land since the 1980s. Agricultural techniques and the increase in the demand for food due to population growth has meant that, although we eat fresh food, it does not have the same quality as before, so that at the end of the day, despite investing in a better diet by eating farm products, we have a lack of vitamins and minerals, essential for proper cellular functioning, the whole body stops feeding and the brain no longer has everything it needs to be calm, at peace and can enjoy an optimal state of health. It is important to clarify that those who are small producers with traditional agricultural techniques, probably have a good quality in their products, however, the general public does not have access to these small productions.