The topic of how diet affects mental health is becoming increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Based on recent trends, we can expect this subject to appear more frequently in future exams. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in past IELTS tests:

Some people believe that a healthy diet is all that is needed for good mental health, while others think that diet is not important for mental health. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Analyzing the Question

This question requires candidates to:

1. Discuss the view that a healthy diet alone is sufficient for good mental health
2. Discuss the opposing view that diet is not important for mental health
3. Provide their own opinion on the matter

Let’s explore sample essays for different band scores to understand how to approach this topic effectively.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

Mental health is a complex issue that has garnered increasing attention in recent years. While some argue that a nutritious diet is the sole requirement for maintaining good mental health, others contend that diet plays an insignificant role. In my opinion, while diet is crucial, it is just one of several factors contributing to overall mental well-being.

Proponents of the idea that a healthy diet is sufficient for good mental health often cite the strong connection between gut health and brain function. They argue that a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals can significantly impact mood, cognitive function, and emotional stability. For instance, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and nuts, have been linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, a diet low in processed foods and high in fruits and vegetables can help regulate blood sugar levels, potentially mitigating mood swings and irritability.

On the other hand, those who believe diet is not important for mental health often emphasize the role of genetic predisposition, life experiences, and environmental factors. They contend that mental health issues such as clinical depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia are primarily influenced by biological and psychological factors rather than dietary choices. Moreover, they argue that many individuals maintain good mental health despite poor dietary habits, suggesting that other factors like social support, stress management, and physical activity play more significant roles in mental well-being.

In my view, while a healthy diet is undoubtedly beneficial for mental health, it is not the sole determinant. Mental health is a multifaceted issue that requires a holistic approach encompassing various aspects of life. A nutritious diet can certainly provide the brain with essential nutrients and help maintain chemical balance, but it should be complemented by other crucial factors such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, stress reduction techniques, and strong social connections. Furthermore, professional mental health support and, in some cases, medication may be necessary for individuals dealing with severe mental health conditions.

In conclusion, while the importance of a healthy diet in maintaining good mental health should not be underestimated, it is overly simplistic to consider it the only requirement. A comprehensive approach that addresses various aspects of physical, emotional, and social well-being is essential for optimal mental health.

(Word count: 378)

The relationship between diet and mental health

Explanation of Band 8-9 Score

This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that align with Band 8-9 criteria:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. It offers well-developed ideas and relevant examples.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “On the other hand,” “Moreover,” “Furthermore”).

3. Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control (e.g., “multifaceted,” “holistic approach,” “chemical balance”).

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. It uses complex sentences without any noticeable errors.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

These days, many people talk about the connection between what we eat and how we feel mentally. Some think that eating healthy food is all we need for good mental health, but others say that food isn’t that important for our minds. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.

People who believe a good diet is enough for mental health have some good points. They say that eating fruits, vegetables, and foods with important nutrients can make us feel happier and think better. For example, eating fish with omega-3 can help with depression. Also, when we eat less junk food, we might feel less moody. This shows that food can affect how we feel mentally.

However, other people think diet isn’t very important for mental health. They believe that things like our genes, life experiences, and the environment around us matter more than what we eat. They point out that some people with mental health problems eat very healthy but still have issues. Also, some people eat unhealthy food but don’t have any mental health problems. This suggests that other things, like having good friends or managing stress, might be more important.

In my opinion, I think both sides have some truth. Eating healthy food is definitely good for our brains and can help us feel better mentally. But I don’t think it’s the only thing that matters. The impact of diet on mental health is significant, but we also need to consider other factors. Things like exercising, sleeping well, and having good relationships with people are also very important for our mental health. Sometimes, people with serious mental health problems might need to talk to a doctor or take medicine too.

To conclude, while eating healthy food is important for our mental health, it’s not the only thing we need to think about. We should try to take care of our minds in many different ways, not just by watching what we eat.

(Word count: 329)

A balanced approach to mental health

Explanation of Band 6-7 Score

This essay demonstrates qualities that align with Band 6-7 criteria:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, presenting both viewpoints and offering a personal opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed with more specific examples.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay. Paragraphing is logical.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with some attempts at more sophisticated words. However, there is less precision and variety compared to the higher band essay.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. There are no major errors that impede communication, but the range is more limited than in the Band 8-9 essay.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Mental well-being (noun): the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy mentally
   Pronunciation: /ˈmen.təl wel-ˈbiː.ɪŋ/

2. Holistic approach (noun phrase): a method of treatment that looks at all aspects of a person’s health, including physical, mental, and emotional factors
   Pronunciation: /həʊˈlɪs.tɪk əˈprəʊtʃ/

3. Cognitive function (noun phrase): mental abilities or processes related to knowledge, attention, memory, judgment, reasoning, and decision making
   Pronunciation: /ˈkɒɡ.nə.tɪv ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/

4. Nutritious (adjective): containing many of the substances needed for life and growth
   Pronunciation: /njuːˈtrɪʃ.əs/

5. Multifaceted (adjective): having many different aspects or features
   Pronunciation: /ˌmʌl.tiˈfæs.ɪ.tɪd/

6. Genetic predisposition (noun phrase): an increased likelihood of developing a particular trait or condition based on a person’s genetic makeup
   Pronunciation: /dʒəˈnet.ɪk ˌpriː.dɪs.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/

7. Mitigate (verb): to make something less harmful, serious, or painful
   Pronunciation: /ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/

8. Complemented (verb): added to something in a way that improves or completes it
   Pronunciation: /ˈkɒm.plɪ.ment.ɪd/

Conclusion

The relationship between diet and mental health is a complex and relevant topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding how to approach this subject from different perspectives and structure your essay effectively, you can improve your chances of achieving a higher band score. Remember to practice writing essays on similar topics, such as how climate change affects daily life or the influence of climate change on global food systems, to enhance your writing skills further.

We encourage you to try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you apply the techniques and vocabulary discussed in this article, improving your IELTS Writing Task 2 performance.