Top 10 Foods for Good Mood!

Not feeling your best lately? Did you know Nutrition has a direct effect on your mental health? Yes, you got that right. Today, we're all a part of a fast-paced society, which also means hectic routines, overdue deadlines, and a lot of stress. More often than not, we find ourselves falling prey to the hands of depression, anxiety, or general unhappiness. This is where nutrition comes into play. Studies have shown that there are certain foods considered as natural mood boosters and their consumption can look after your mental well being.

Too tired to make an effort? No worries. All you gotta do is eat, and let your brain do the work! Here's a simple mood-boosting foods list for you that will not only make you healthier but also, happier.

Protein-rich foods

Foods like milk, curd, cheese, paneer and tofu are natural mood boosters and a great way to fetch the "feel-good factor". They work as the best food for improving mood when taken in combination with carbohydrates, as they help in absorption of the tryptophan present in them, to further boost serotonin levels in the brain. Besides, who wouldn't like rich paneer and whole-grain bread sandwich?

Dark Chocolate

We all know, mood-stabilizing foods and chocolates go hand in hand! Various studies have repeatedly shown the effects of dark chocolate on the brain, which is why it is often seen topping the list of food that makes you happy. Another reason why it is considered a good mood-enhancing food is that we associate chocolates as our favorite sweet dish on happy occasions and hence, feel calmer on its consumption.

Green leafy vegetables

Studies have shown that green leafy vegetables are regarded as one of the top foods that can make you happy, hard to believe, right? They contain vitamin B6, that turns tryptophan into serotonin, thereby being a convenient mood-improving food. The best thing about green leafy vegetables is that you can potentially slide them in almost all the dishes and they can add nutritive value to food without altering the taste much.

Probiotic Food and drinks

Can you imagine holding a glass of spicy buttermilk and asking "how can I improve my mood?" in the same breath? we can't either. Probiotics look after your gut health, and serotonin is regulated right there. Hence, Probiotics are foods that can make you feel happy and relaxed. Health drinks like Buttermilk can work up their charm in your gut.

Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds like Sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, cashews and walnuts are proven as the best foods for happiness as they contain omega 3 fatty acids. Various sources of Omega 3 fatty acids are considered a great source of foods that help your mental well being and they must be consumed regularly.

Fresh fruits and veggies

You don't have to look too far while thinking about food that boosts mood. Seasonal and fresh fruits and vegetables are easily available in all households. Rich in Vitamins A, C, E and many essential minerals, these provide as quick mood-boosting food along with catering to numerous health benefits. Fruit salads, Mix vegetable sandwiches are some of the options for interesting and quick mood-uplifting foods.

Whole grains

Whole grains contribute a major part in our daily food consumption, and cannot be sidelined when it comes to foods that help in mood improvement. Amaranth,barley,brown rice, millets and sorghum, taken in combination with other mood-boosting foods, can add up to the happiness value.

Comfort Foods

The food and mood connection goes back a long way. What is that childhood home-cooked dish that makes you happy? Now, let's break a highly prevalent myth— comfort food does not mean deep-fried potato chips, street-styled fast food or foods with insane amounts of sugar, no. Comfort food is any food that elicits comfort eating, invokes and happy memories. Comfort foods are alleged as the best foods for a good mood.

Honey

This natural sweetener has proved to be a blessing for a sugar substitute and continues to be one when it comes to mood-stabilizing food options. Honey reduces the inflammation in our brains and is one the best food to prevent depression. Honey can be consumed in many ways, like tossing it on oatmeal pancakes, adding in green tea, and simply substituting white sugar with honey in all the dishes.

Caffeine (a little)

You can't talk about foods that improve mood without adding the good old caffeine to the list. Even though large amounts of caffeine are inadvisable, a little cup never harmed anyone. Green tea is a perfect option to cater to your caffeine needs as it contains comparatively less caffeine than coffee and is a perfect mood-boosting drink. Other refreshing sources of caffeine include Iced tea, Espresso and filtered coffee. However, these should only be taken in moderation or they'll do more harm than good.

So, instead of hogging on the unhealthy instant foods, you can make a swap today and regain the lost control over your mental health with zero or minimal effort. All you have to do is eat and let the foods for good mood work their magic!

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