Granny knew best

A post from Nick Watt from Health n Happy Trust @HNH_theTrust

Culture and tradition play a vital role in the link between food and our mental health and wellbeing – a fact that can be observed all over the world.

In bonnie Scotland it came in the form of matriarchal knowledge of care giving. Granny always knew best when you were growing up, especially when it came to making you feel better with food.

Thanks to modern science we can now see how the staple foods that made up some the Scottish diet benefited us nutritionally – oily fish with its Omega 3 oils, porridge has bet-glucans and even a cup of tea (found to contain Theanine a chemical with natural relaxant properties). However, even without this knowledge Granny always knew they were good for us and the proof was in the pudding.

Food has always acted as common bond amongst humans, according to renowned chef Anthony Bourdain “you learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.” It is a notion I know our project workers at Healthy n Happy try to capture on a daily basis. As a Community Development Trust bringing people in the community together through a common bond is a key component of our mission.

Our Parent Café and other group activities all incorporate food and a warm drink to foster friendliness, support and healthy living. We offer our clients and visitors a cup of tea as soon as they arrive at our reception. And the staff team themselves make a point of sharing a meal together for bonding and celebrations.

The sense of wellbeing, community and social inclusion that food can provide is priceless. It is from these very feelings that our Scottish culture and traditions as we know them were probably born, and may have influenced some of our traditional industries also – herring fishing, arable farming. It is without question key component to maintaining good mental health, because as has always held true – Granny knew best.