THE CONFIDENCE DIET

What if confidence were not a mask, but a feeling you could build on from the inside out? And, importantly for this feature, could food influence it? Parul Karn asks the experts

- Parul Karn

Whether it’s leading a team meeting or making a decision that could impact many people, confidence plays a part. You've probably explored what it means to be confident. Perhaps you found a cue in a fictional quote that felt so real, as when Maddy Perez from the high school drama Euphoria said, “The thing about confidence is that no one knows if it’s real or not.” Does that work for you? The word ‘confidence’ itself comes from the Latin word ‘confidentia’, which translates into “trusting in oneself.” But can simply insisting on having faith in yourself make you confident? The answer is ‘no’. The factors that actually influence our confidence include mindset, sleep, movement, social support, and, somewhat surprisingly, food.

“Food affects mood and brain function,” points out Dr Prerna Kohli, Gurugram-based clinical psychologist and founder – MindTribe. “Balanced meals keep blood sugar steady. Steady blood sugar helps keep emotions on an even keel. Balanced emotions make it easier to think clearly. Clear thinking and a steady mood give one a sense of control. And feeling in control boosts confidence.” It works both ways, however. What happens when we turn to emotional eating, or rely on our daily dose of coffee to buoy us? “Emotional eating often starts as a way to cope,” Dr Prerna avers. “Over time, it can lead to guilt or shame. And that can hurt self-esteem. People might feel they lack self-control,” she adds.