We often talk about food to lose or gain weight, ignoring the fact that food directly impacts our psychological health too.
Nearly each one of us realizes that a bite of chocolate works amazingly to uplift our mood. There is a scientific explanation for foods that have this kind of a mood-boosting effect. Try using the following mood-boosting foods the next time you feel low:
Dense Carbohydrate Foods with Low GI
You should eat carbohydrate sources that are complex and have a low Glycemic Index (GI). This includes simple, homely food items like rotis made wholegrain wheat or multi-grain bread and basmati rice. These foods help to maintain a constant level of sugar throughout the day. Foods that contain easily absorbable sugars, like sweetened beverages, tend to spike our sugar levels and mood instantly. However, after some time the spike declines, inducing a low or de-energized feeling. In contrast, complex carbohydrate sources like potatoes and tofu ensure that our sugar levels are regulated and we don’t suffer from extreme mood swings. You can take your pick between boiled corn and popcorn as both of these are highly recommended by nutritionists for boosting mental health. These are two high-fiber and low GI foods that can be consumed throughout the day.
Nuts like Walnuts
People are increasingly realizing the advantages of eating walnuts for its anti-aging and overall health-boosting properties. Fortified with a high concentration of antioxidants, walnuts are enriched with omega 3 fatty acids and magnesium that are required for boosting serotonin levels. This is why vitamin & mineral supplements recommended to those diagnosed with depression contain a higher amount of magnesium. This micro nutrient helps to alleviate negative moodiness, sleeping problems and generalized irritability.
Calcium-rich Yogurt
This food items is listed particularly for the ladies who are more prone to suffering from mood swings due to PMS or menstrual problems. Yogurt provides a rich, easy to absorb source of calcium. During hormonal changes among women, the estrogen-progesterone balance is disturbed, resulting in impaired metabolism of calcium. This mineral is needed for ensuring hormonal balance and proper functioning of the neurotransmitters, helping women being less vulnerable to mood swing and weepiness.
Best of Meat-based Mood Foods: Fish
Salmon is regarded as one of the healthiest non-vegetarian food choices you can make. It is packed with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. Both these nutrients are required for stimulating the production and release of serotonin—our main, feel-good brain chemical or neurotransmitter. Anti-depressants contain chemicals that have a similar effect, i.e. they raise the serotonin levels. Spending a few minutes under the sun, particularly during winters, is the best way to enrich your body with some vitamin D and defeat seasonal depressive tendencies. Vitamin D is also found in egg yolk.
Peel ‘Dem Bananas Daily
Don’t just peel them but eat them too. Yes, there is a reason why doctors recommend having a banana in the morning, i.e. it helps to establish a better mood as you start your day. Apart from being a complex carbohydrate source, bananas are a rich source of potassium, Vitamin B6 and magnesium. All these nutrients are vital for synthesis and regulation of neurotransmitters
Keeping It Lean & Green with Spinach
Spinach has always been recommended for its high iron content. However, besides its Popeye-centric features, it has a high concentration of folate, i.e. Folic Acid. Among folks diagnosed with depression or anxiety, Folic Acid supplementation is a common practice. Spinach also happens to be a low-cal food making it perfect for keeping your mood up and body girth down.
Get Beans for Your Daily Selenium Fix
Selenium is among the most widely acknowledged of micro nutrients usually missing in contemporary diets. Selenium helps to neutralize oxidative stress induced by free radicals. Besides legumes and beans, very few foods are selenium-rich. Other options include lean meats and fish.
Yes, Dark Chocolate is the Tastiest Mood Food
Don’t just peel them but eat them too. Yes, there is a reason why doctors recommend having a banana in the morning, i.e. it helps to establish a better mood as you start your day. Apart from being a complex crab source, bananas are a rich source of potassium, Vitamin B6 and magnesium. All these nutrients are vital for synthesis and regulation of neurotransmitters.
Keeping It Lean & Green with Spinach
Spinach has always been recommended for its high iron content. However, besides its Popeye-centric features, it has a high concentration of foliate, i.e. Folic Acid. Among folks diagnosed with depression or anxiety, Folic Acid supplementation is a common practice. Spinach also happens to be a low-cal food making it perfect for keeping your mood up and body girth down.
Get Beans for Your Daily Selenium Fix
Selenium is among the most widely acknowledged of micro nutrients usually missing in contemporary diets. Selenium helps to neutralize oxidative stress induced by free radicals. Besides legumes and beans, very few foods are selenium-rich. Other options include lean meats and fish.
Yes, Dark Chocolate is the Tastiest Mood Food
Whether your drink it in the winters, relishing its thick, sumptuous texture or gobble it in the form of big bars, dark chocolate has established mood-uplifting properties. It raises serotonin levels and is perhaps one form of self-medication for bad mood to which no doctor would object. Perhaps, this is why Dark chocolate is referred to as “mood food” or “comfort food”. Remember to eat it in moderation to avoid having a calorie overload.