There are as many foods that can boost your food, as there are foods that can make you feel terrible. What I eat on a daily basis directly affects my mood within an hour of consuming it. This is one of the main reasons why it’s not hard for me to eat healthy – I want to feel GREAT! Consuming processed foods that are high in sugar, sodium and additives make me feel terrible. The sugar can temporarily give me a bump in energy, but the crash is not something I look forward to. This is why I pretty much gave up refined sugar a few years ago. Fill your plate with these 6 Foods To Boost Your Mood, and you’ll be SO much happier.
1. Foods Packed With Omega 3 Fatty Acids: A British study found a 50% reduction in symptoms of depression when patients were given an Omega 3 fatty acid supplement. It’s also been found to help with bipolar disorder, ADHD, and many other mental disorders.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids can be found in walnuts, flax seed, chia seed, and leafy greens.
2.High Folate Foods: Low folate status has been linked to depression. Folate is a B-Vitamin, which can be found in a variety of foods.
Folate can be found in: Dark green vegetables like broccoli and spinach and dried legumes such as chickpeas, beans and lentils.
3. Vitamin D Foods: A deficiency of Vitamin D has been linked to depression and feeling down in the dumps. This may be why many feel blue during the winter months when Vitamin D levels can easily plummet unless supplements are taken.
Foods that contain Vitamin D include: Mushrooms (particularly Shitake), yogurt, tuna and sardines.
4. Good Fats: We need good fats for our brains to function properly. Starve yourself of fats, and you will start to feel depressed. But all fats are not created equal. Cheap, hydrogenated fats are silent killers and not what I am talking about.
Best Foods for healthy fats include: Avocados, nuts, seeds, and cold-pressed plant oils (in moderation).
5. Foods High in Selenium: Selenium is important for Thyroid function. A low-functioning thyroid can leave you feeling depressed and fatigued. Fortunately, you can easily get selenium from food.
Best food sources of selenium include: Brazil Nuts (I pop a couple in my morning smoothie), and Cremini mushrooms.
6. Complex Carbs: Carbs are another important nutrient that have been mistakenly maligned. Complex carbs gently boost serotonin levels in your brain, which will gives us the little boost that we all need.
Good complex carbs include: Millet, Quinoa, Sweet Potatoes, Squash and Old Fashioned Oats.
