Food For Thought

With winter in full swing, our mental health can take a bit of a beating. With such short days and long nights, it’s no wonder some of us don’t get enough vitamin D — how can we, if we’re stuck in work or university all day? Of course, this is just one of the reasons why you might be finding yourself struggling with your mental health. For those suffering with depression and anxiety specifically, it can often be hard to leave the house or even get out of bed, and it can be even harder to resist the tempting powers of Deliveroo. So, how can you still give your body the nourishment it needs when you don’t have the mental energy to carry out the task of cooking?

FROZEN FOOD Frozen foods are ideal for days where you don’t feel like doing too much cooking. You can get all your nutrients from frozen fish such as salmon, and bags of frozen vegetables are ready to eat in minutes. It has been proven that frozen vegetables contain just as much goodness as the fresh veg you see on supermarket aisles, so you can still keep your body feeling healthy.

THINK VEGETARIAN

Aside from the environmental benefits that a vegetarian diet supports, veggie dishes often keep for a much longer time than meat-based dishes. So, it might be an idea to swap the chicken in your curry for chickpeas — this way, you can make it on Friday, and on Monday it’s still good to eat!

MULTIVITAMINS When you don’t get enough vitamin D from natural sunlight, your mood can dip. Moreover, our iron levels can fall if we don’t balance our meals out nutritionally, which is sometimes hard when you don’t want to cook or go to the shop. Daily multivitamins can really safeguard you from illnesses such as anaemia, which can leave you feeling even more tired and unwell.

DRINK, DRINK, DRINK Make sure to drink plenty of water everyday to keep headaches at bay and to keep your body well hydrated. I like to keep an old 2 litre squash bottle next to my bed, so that I know I’ve drunk my daily recommended amount by the end of the day. Tea can often be a lovely little comforter, and a morning coffee can often be the first thing on your mind; however, caffeine often has negative side effects that can heighten feelings of anxiety. Try switching your drink to decaf in the afternoon so that you’re not battling the highs and lows of caffeine or lying awake at night.

AVOID COMFORT EATING When I’m feeling down, often my first point of action is to grab a big bag of Walkers Sensations and hoover them up in one sitting. Although in the moment it seems like a good idea, afterwards I’m almost always left feeling bloated, sluggish, and guilty — and my mind is no better for it. People often do the same when they’re depressed or anxious. One reason for this is that foods high in sugar and carbohydrates increase levels of serotonin in the brain, which temporarily elevates your mood. When you find yourself craving a huge pizza or chocolate cake, try and find other ways to comfort your body, such as reading your favourite book, taking a warm bath, or going for a walk.

It has been proven that diet does improve overall wellbeing so it’s important that we try to look after our bodies when our minds aren’t feeling too well!

words by: KATIE DUFFIN design by: JOSH ONG

SHOP ONLINE

If you can’t quite face leaving the house just yet, online shopping is a great way to get all the products you need to take care of yourself. Tesco offers a 30 day free delivery trial, which is great for students trying to save a bit of money.

STOCK UP ON ESSENTIALS

Whilst you’re ordering your food online, make sure you’re all stocked up on staple foods like wholemeal bread, pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes, canned tuna, garlic, etc. You can make super easy and nutritionally fulfilling meals from just a few basic ingredients, such as a tuna pasta bake.

COOK IN BULK If you’re having a good day and fancy cooking something that takes a little more effort than sticking things in the oven, it’s a good idea to cook in bulk. Dishes like curry, bolognese and chilli con carne are all easy to make and can be frozen in individual portions. So, when you can’t think of anything worse than picking up a pan, you can simply defrost a portion in the microwave.

The World At Your Doorstep

Cardiff is filled with so many brilliant eateries from all over the globe, so how do you choose where to eat? We’ve hand-picked some of the very best global cuisines in the city, so look no further. This handy guide will help you decide where to dine, whatever your taste buds crave!

Chai St. Indian Street Kitchen

INDIAN

With three restaurants now open, Canton, the City Centre and Roath, Chai St Indian Kitchen is quickly becoming one of Cardiff ’s most loved (and well-priced) Indians. Try their famous thalis or their ‘chaitastic curry bowls’, and be sure to head down on a weekday to snag a day-time deal.

If you’re fancying something french, Le Bistrot Pierre may be right down your boulevard. Just off the infamous Chip Alley in Cardiff ’s Brewery Quarter, this restaurant has a slightly more civilised feel than Dorothy’s chip shop. Not only is it delicious, with french favourites such as bœuf bourguignon and crème brûlée on the menu, but the prix fixe lunch menu lets you enjoy two courses for £12.95. What else could you ask for? Le Bistrot Pierre FRENCH

After the success of Bar 44 in Penarth, brothers Tom and Owen Morgan decided it was time to open a fully-fledged restaurant in the heart of the city centre. Asador 44 boasts authentic Spanish food of the highest quality, and some will argue the best steak in Cardiff! Oh, and did I mention it’s also a wine bar? This ambient restaurant just off St Mary’s Street has its very own cheese and wine cellar, what’s not to love? Asador 44 SPANISH

Regarded as one of the most authentic Italian’s in Wales, Casanova is the perfect date spot – it even has an annual Valentine’s night which gets booked up pretty quickly, so you better put a deposit down now! I’d recommend the traditional ragu, it’s just too good to turn down. Casanova ITALIAN

If you’ve not been to Wahaca yet, just take the plunge. The three-floor restaurant and bar serves the best cocktails around and buzzes with good vibes whatever day of the week. For those in the mood for a game, there’s even table football at the top bar! And it’s not just a pretty face — Wahaca specialises in indulgent Mexican street food. Once seated, you get to pick several dishes from the huge menu to share or just to have by yourself. It also has great vegetarian and vegan options, so anyone can enjoy this great find. Wahaca MEXICAN

Hands down, the only place to go for sushi in Cardiff is Yakitori #1. It offers unbeatable modern Japanese food using only the best ingredients from sustainable sources. Of course, you can try the restaurant’s very own yakitori, but a personal favourite of mine is the unagi nigiri — grilled eel with teriyaki. Don’t knock it ‘till you try it! Yakitori #1 JAPANESE

words by: KATIE DUFFIN design by: ALESSIO PHILIP GRAIN

For some classic British cooking, head to The Potted Pig on St Mary’s Street. Hidden away in an old bank vault, you might walk past the entrance to this gem without even noticing it. The steak here is good enough to rival Asador 44, but the gin lounge makes it unique in itself. With big flavours, elegant decor and ambient lighting, this makes for the perfect place to impress someone. I’d go for the confit pork belly, pomme purée, seasonal greens & choucroute myself! The Potted Pig BRITISH

Shaam Nights is famous in Cardiff for its delicious middle eastern food, magical decor and jaw-dropping prices. This one is for the meateater, with dishes such as the chicken shawarma wrap starting at just £7! The batata harra here is a musteat, and the service is absolutely impeccable. If you fancy a relaxing night with friends, this is the place to go. Shaam Nights LEBANESE

Not to be confused with Smoke Haus, this American grill sits in Pontcanna and is famous for its glorious breakfast menu and huge burgers. Try something from their Texas BBQ, like the beef brisket or the ‘Memphis’ style baby back ribs. The portions and flavours here are not for the faint of heart. The Smoke House AMERICAN

So many people raved to me about Kimchi, eventually I had to find out what all the fuss was about. It definitely didn’t disappoint. Situated in Canton, Kimchi is a Korean restaurant where you get to cook your own meat on the barbecues at the centre of each table. The fun of barbecuing your own food isn’t the only good bit — they have a list of delicious dishes and the authentic atmosphere in the restaurant is unrivalled. Kimchi KOREAN