5 Foods That Will Boost Your Mood and Make You Happier

Get Happy!, Inspired Articles, Lifestyle

Did you know that the foods we eat significantly impact how we feel mentally? It’s true! When we?re down, we are often tempted to reach for a comfort food such as a burger and fries or a pint of Ben & Jerry?s. While those foods may make us feel better in the moment, that feeling of bliss quickly fades thanks to the inevitable blood-sugar crash. A recent study found that foods high in unhealthy fats, sugars, simple carbs, and fried foods can actually set you up for anxiety, mood swings, and depression.Luckily, we’ve done our research and have rounded up our top 5 favorite foods that will boost your mood!

#1 Dark Leafy Greens
Including spinach, asparagus, brussels sprouts, kale, etc.
Oprah.com published a great article explaining how foods rich in B Vitamins, specifically folate, may help reduce symptoms of depression. ?Folate is needed in the brain for the synthesis of mood chemicals like norepinephrine., serotonin, and dopamine. Boosting the folate levels of depressed patients helped improve their mood, found researchers from Harvard Medical School?

source: http://www.oprah.com/health/Foods-That-Boost-Your-Mood-Food-That-Improves-Your-Mood/1

#2 ‘Good’ Fats
Like the kind found in fish, nuts, and grass-fed beef/chicken/pork
ABCnews reported that, ‘A comprehensive review of studies comparing the incidence of mood disorders in several countries found that eating at least two seafood meals per week – high in omega-3 fatty acids, specifically – was associated with lower rates of depression and other emotional disorders? Likely because these fats help maintain function in areas of the brain responsible for regulating mood and emotion.’

source: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/ways-boost-mood-food/story?id=20310225#2

#3 Greek Yogurt
There are so many ways to use this creamy delight! Eat it for breakfast with berries, use it in place of mayo in many recipes, or sweeten it up with a natural sweetener for a tasty treat!

The creator of The Happiness Diet, Dr. Ramsey, explains that, Proper calcium levels give the ‘go’ command, alerting your body to release feel-good neurotransmitters. Disturbances in calcium levels can produce anxiety, depression, irritability, impaired memory, and slow thinking.He went on to say that, Pasteurized dairy is higher in the healthy fat that reduces the effects of stress on the brain.

source: http://www.organicgardening.com/cook/11-instant-mood-boosting-foods?page=0,6

#4 Berries
If you’re like me, you have a sweet tooth. I crave something sweet every day, and that’s when I reach for a handful of mixed berries. Not only do they taste good, but they also help fight depression! According to nutritionist Stephanie Middleberg, ‘Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries contain anthocyanidins and anthocyanins – nutrients that help reduce stress and depression.’

source: http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/9-foods-that-make-you-happy#9

#5: Chocolate (yes, CHOCOLATE!)
Dark chocolate, that is!
According to WomansDay.com and a study published in the Journal of Proteome Research,’?eating just a smidge of dark chocolate (about 1.4 ounces) has the power to lower the stress hormones cortisol and catecholamines in the body, reducing your anxiety.’

source: http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/stress-management/7-foods-that-boost-every-type-of-bad-mood-110419

So the next time you?re feeling down and could use a mood-boost, just say no to Oreo cookies and potato chips and instead reach for one of these 5 happy foods!

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