Has anyone ever called you moody? Or are you the type to wake up and notice first thing in the morning that it is going to be one of those days when whatever happens, you’re going to have an unpleasant mood?
Well, guess what? We all go through that. It’s pretty normal not being able to keep a happy bubbly mood all day every day, but we’ve got some food tricks that can boost your mood anytime.
You should definitely consider either having the following food in your home all the time, or somewhere around the office.
The list is long, so there’s no way one of these won’t be a pleasure for you to feast or simply snack on.
Oily fish
According to research, those who are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids are more prone to depression and low moods than others. In order to take care of that you can have some delicious fish! How does salmon, mackerel and sardines sound? They can keep your brain healthy and improve your mood. Having oily fish keeps your brain cells flexible, that way your neurotransmitters can work more effectively, therefore keeping that smile on for you face.
Brazil nuts
Something that Brazil nuts have to offer is the mineral selenium, which apparently decreases the rates of depression, irritability, anxiety and tiredness. They’re pretty easy snacks to have around and boost your mood with, munch on a handful of Brazil nuts with your banana in the morning or any time of the day.
Bananas
Here’s another snack you can easily carry out with you. You’d be surprised how much a medium-sized banana can do for you. It contains amino acid tryptophan, vitamins A, B6 and C, fiber, potassium, phosphorous, iron and carbohydrates. The latter along with B6 helps the absorption of tryptophan in the brain, making the mood boosting an instant one. This can help you in both pumping up your mood and aiding you to sleep better, yes it can do both!
Oats
How delicious does a porridge bowl with honey and nuts sound like for breakfast? That’s a great day to start your day and keep a positive mood. Oats have a low glycaemia index, which makes them effective mood boosters. They slowly release energy into the bloodstream, keeping the blood sugar low and your mood stable.
Turkey and chicken
You can have both turkey and chicken, in soup, sandwiches or simply in a dish with other vegetables. Chicken and turkey breast also help in the intake of amino acid and tryptophan, which can extremely enhance your mood.
Lentils
Another one to add to the family of bananas. Just like bananas, lentils are complex carbohydrates that can help increase the brain’s production of serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter. These delicious little bits can make you calmer, happier and less anxious. They stabilize your blood sugar and can indulge you with the right amount of energy because of the large quantity of iron in them. We’d recommend a homemade lentil soup for lunch.
Spinach
Let’s include spinach in your salad! Or maybe a stew? Either way, that’s one great way to keep your serotonin levels up high, and up goes your mood level too!
Dark Chocolate
You read that right! Keep a bar of dark chocolate with you at all times! Do not hoover up the whole bar though, just a couple of small dark squares of 70% cocoa or more would do the trick for you. It helps the brain release endorphins and lifts the serotonin levels, keeping you happier and more energetic.
Cereal
Strengthen your calcium levels and reduce stress and anxiety with some cereal. A bowl of fortified cereal can provide up to a third of your RDA of calcium. Munch on that scrumptious flakes bowl this morning, evening or as a snack during the day.
Water
Water is your number one best friend when it comes to helping your body function properly. The smallest degree of water loss can affect you physically and mentally. So make sure you gulp in 1 to 2 liters a day. If you’re not so keen on water, you should be happy to know that teas count as well. And if you’d like a little flavor to your water, add some lemon, mint or strawberries to your cold water.
