Why Jada Pinkett Smith Feels 'Happy' After Changing Her Eating Habits

Jada Pinkett Smith spoke about her approach toward food in a recent episode of Red Table Talk (via Facebook) and implied that maintaining good health is now her top priority. The actress said that when she decided to opt for her first colonoscopy, she was keen to understand the digestive problems she was tackling. Smith approached experts to get to the bottom of the problem and find answers. Speaking about the lessons that she learned, the actress previously explained, "They say that the gut is like the second brain of the body. I think people should have more understanding too that we're putting toxic foods in our body, [and that's] going to help create toxic emotions, toxic moods," she told Eat This, Not That!

In the past, the actress has spoken about maintaining a high-protein diet and leaning on fresh vegetables, chicken, fish, and oatmeal (via BET). She has now made changes to her diet to focus on her gut health and follows an eating style that works for her. Smith avoids foods with gluten, chicken, eggs, and oatmeal.

If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).

For Jada Pinkett Smith, making changes to her diet has turned out to be a bit of an epiphany, especially in terms of how she feels on an everyday basis (via Red Table Talk). "Every single morning, I was trying to figure out why I was so low, so down, so depressed," she said, adding that after cutting out certain food items from her diet, she started waking up feeling a lot more energized and happier every day. To be clear, the actress had to eliminate specific foods on account of her gut issues and consulted nutritional experts before making the changes.

According to Harvard Health, the "gut-brain connection" is serious business and shouldn't be dismissed. It's possible that if someone is tackling gut issues (because of triggering foods or other causes), they may experience side effects such as mood swings, anxiety, and depression because of how closely the brain and gastrointestinal system are linked. It can work the other way around as well: for example, if a person is getting ready for an interview, they may feel nauseated before the event. 

If you suspect that you may be dealing with gut problems, it's still best to consult a medical professional for advice.