Food is the basis for how we feel. Oily food can make us feel sluggish and sleepy, as can a heavy meal. Light foods and beverages improve our mood and make us feel better. The link between food and mood is not very well understood yet, but the fact that there is a link has been established.
There are certain mood disorders that require therapy, and we would never claim that such disorders can be fought off with food alone. But when used correctly, food is your friend. It can work as an adjuvant to therapy – cooking improves your mood, sitting down to a meal with family puts you in a better place and some foods indeed have the potential to make you feel better overall. Here is a list of foods that can put you in a better mood and make you feel good on the days when you have a case of the blues.1
1. Chocolate
Is it any surprise really that chocolate is first on the list. Simply because of the fact that it tastes great, chocolate can selectively improve negative mood. If you’re looking for a healthy alternative, dark chocolate and cacao nibs are both highly antioxidant, not as calorie-dense as milk chocolate and also help maintain heart health.2 3
2. Bananas
When in a foul mood, eat a banana. Our mood is dependent on various body processes. If we feel weak or fatigued, we are sure to feel unhappy as well. Eating a banana helps provide a quick energy boost. It helps supply sugar to the body. Potassium in bananas is needed for regulating blood pressure. Bananas also contain serotonin, a hormone known for regulating our mood. Thus, bananas work indirectly to improve our mood.4
3. Saffron
In Persian traditional medicine, saffron has long been in use as a mood enhancer and to treat depression. Modern studies are backing this treatment method. Mild to moderate depression can be treated effectively by eating saffron. Saffron is also considered an aphrodisiac.5
4. Breakfast
This isn’t just a single food, but a food group. A healthy breakfast should include some foods from all classes, fats included. Studies have repeatedly shown that having a healthy breakfast helps us start our day on a positive note and lets us stay positive. A hungry belly is indeed a recipe for a bad mood!6
5. Milk
Milk is a wholesome food. It contains portions of all the vitamins and minerals we need, as well as protein. Some studies have shown that a lack of Vitamin D is responsible for causing depression. Some of us who live in temperate and arctic climes don’t have access to bright sunlight. In such cases, milk comes to the rescue. Cow’s milk contains up to 20 IU of vitamin D per serving.7
6. Citrus Fruits
Our mood is heavily influenced by the availability of different nutrients. Citrus fruits contain vitamin C which is antioxidant in nature, boosts our immunity and thus makes us feel better overall. Consuming citrus fruits also improves the uptake of iron, thus preventing fatigue due to anemia.8
Every single food on this list is healthy for you. You won’t have to go on a guilt trip about weight if you eat them. Moreover, they can all put you in a good mood almost instantly. No wonder then, that the saying ‘The way to a person’s heart is through their tummy’ exists!
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