While our good intentions help us make the first steps toward eating with mental health in mind, it’s important to remember that this is a plan for the long-term, not just for one meal.
“I think that implementing small, lasting changes will help you go a long way, much further than sporadic days of ‘clean eating interspersed with ‘binges,’” Naidoo said.
Behairy’s advice is similar: “Making long-term sustainable changes to your eating habits is more likely to yield lasting results. It’s important to maintain a healthy eating pattern consistently over time rather than expecting immediate or short-term effects.”
So, how long will it take to make a difference?
“Because the microbiome is so unique, in my clinical work I’ve observed that people respond along different timelines,” Naidoo said. “Some experience a change in how they feel within days to a week, and others may take up to three weeks to feel a difference.”
And even if your mood hasn’t caught up yet, do know that your gut notices and appreciates what you’re doing right away.
“Studies have shown that the gut microbiota can react dramatically to changes in eating habits in less than three days,” Behairy said.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
