These Foods Will Help Improve Your Mood
Anxiety and depression are two of the most
common mental disorders in the US, affecting over 40 million adults.
While they are easy to manage and treat, only 36.9% of those suffering
receive treatment. Studies have shown that the food that we eat can
alter our moods and bring about some positive changes in our lives.
Below you’ll find a list of foods that you
should eat and those that you should avoid in order to stay happy and
positive. These can easily be found at your local stores, so you can add
them to your weekly meal plan, giving yourself a much-needed boost of
happiness.
1. Potato Chips vs. Popcorn
It’s no secret that potato chips are an
unhealthy choice of snack – they’re fried in saturated oil full of
omega-6 fatty acids. These acids can make you feel low by blocking
mood-enhancing omega-3 fatty acids. For happy feelings, you should snack
on popcorn. It’s rich in carbohydrates which causes your serotonin
levels to soar, making you feel happy and relaxed.
2. Milk Chocolate vs. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains anandamide, a compound that helps make you feel
calm and relaxed. It’s also known to block feelings of sadness and pain.
For the best results, consume chocolate that contains at least 72%
cacao and less than 5 grams of sugar. Research has shown that after
enjoying some dark chocolate, people are more likely to help others.
3. Non-Organic Bananas vs Organic Bananas
Bananas are full of mood-enhancing elements
such as dopamine and vitamin B6. Eating one in the morning will ensure
that you’re happy throughout the day. However, make sure that the banana
is organic as the pesticides that are often sprayed on non-organic
fruit contains neurotoxins which can adversely affect your mood.
4. Soft Drinks vs. Green Tea
We are all aware that soft drinks aren’t good for our health, but
they’re also not good for our mood either. These drinks contain a high
concentration of carbohydrates which can instantly boost your mood, but
your raised sugar levels come crashing down faster than they go up,
giving you a giant mood swing. As an alternative, drink green tea. The
theanine present in green tea helps to fight anxiety and makes you feel
more relaxed.
5. Ham vs. Salmon
Processed meat often comes from animals
that are not fed healthy food. Furthermore, they’re often injected with
preservatives, dyes, and nitrates which are known to cause depression
and mood swings. Opt for salmon instead as it contains vitamin D and
omega-3 fatty acids, two nutrients that have been shown to increase
levels of the feel-good neurotransmitter, serotonin.
6. Sugar vs. Honey
While the health conscious among us might avoid adding sugar to our tea
or coffee, it often still finds its way into our diets. Consuming sugar
will momentarily provide us with a lot of joy, but when the initial rush
wears off, it can lead to anxiety and depression. Honey is a great
healthy alternative to sugar. It contains kaempferol and quercetin that
help prevent depression by reducing inflammation in the brain.
7. Salted Nuts vs. Cherries
Cherries are a great source of melatonin, a
hormone that helps you sleep well. Furthermore, cherries are natural
painkillers and can help make you feel relaxed. Therefore, instead of
feasting on store-bought peanuts which often contain high levels of
monosodium glutamate and sodium that are known to cause headaches and
mood swings, eat some tasty cherries.
8. Deli Meat vs. Turkey
Cold cuts might seem like an easy and tasty option, but the colorings,
preservatives, and additives that are in them can leave you with
headaches and mood swings. Even though it’s much more time consuming,
it’s much better to cook a turkey and slice it up yourself.
9. Soy Yogurt vs. Spinach
Soy yogurt is made by adding bacteria to
soy milk. It can help your digestive system, but the omega-6 fatty acids
present in it blocks the mood enhancing omega-3 fatty acids. On the
other hand, spinach is rich in omega-3 and folates which regulate our
mood by boosting the levels of serotonin in the body.
10. Salt vs. Black Pepper Powder
Eating too much salt can increase our blood pressure, which, in turn,
can lead to depression and bad moods. Black pepper powder is another
seasoning that can be added to your food, but unlike salt, it won’t make
you depressed or put you in a bad mood. In fact, black pepper contains
the compound piperine, which has been found to fight depression and
increase the cognitive function of the brain.