Few things can pick you up quite like a hearty bowl of soup or a square of delicious dark chocolate. And it is not always about pleasure. There has been enough scientific evidence showing that foods that improve mood greatly affect how we feel. How wonderful that these foods that calm the mind can also provide nutrition. Here are just a few ways to get your happiness naturally through your plate.
1. The Gut-Brain Connection: More Than Just a Feeling
The gut is often referred to as our second brain for good reason: trillions of bacteria work here to make serotonin the happiness chemical! Probiotics help keep your gut healthy; when your gut is in good odor, your feelings and moods tend to mirror that. Thus, extraordinary mood enhancement comes down to simply adding a few fermented foods to your diet.
2. Foods Rich in Omega-3’s for a Sharper Mind
Fat is not the enemy unless it’s the omega-3 fatty acid type.Omega-3 healthy fats are present in foods such as fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel etc.). Omega-3s help fight depression and anxiety, improve brain function, and reduce inflammation. Eating fish in your weekly meal plans is one of the easiest ways for me to add mood-boosting foods to my lifestyle.
3. Complex Carb = Steady Energy and Happiness
Not all carbs are created equal, and sugary snacks offer a quick rush, not much else. Complex carbs (e.g., oats, brown rice, sweet potatoes, etc.) give stable energy and help the brain take in tryptophan (the precursor to serotonin). Plus, these are comforting, filling, and natural ways to stabilize your mood.
4. Dark Chocolate: The Ultimate Mood Food
Feel like something sweet? Your best bet is dark chocolate. It’s full of antioxidants and causes endorphins and serotonin in the brain to be boosted. Find varieties that contain at least 70% cocoa content for maximum impact. One little square every day may be enough to put a smile on your face without the crash from sugar.
5. Leafy Greens and B-Vitamins
Spinach, kale, and other greens are full of folate, one of the B-vitamins that aid in the functioning of neurotransmitters. Depressed levels of folate correlate with depression, so piling your plate high with greens is a smart and effortless plan to feel healthier from the inside out. They’re not only good for you, but they’re also mood-altering foods.
Feed Your Joy: Eat Happy
The next time you feel down, do not just pick up the phone or that cup of coffee; instead, go to the kitchen. Eating more foods that focus on lifting mood can become a natural, effective kind of care you can give your mental well-being-a lovely meal in quite a restorative way. Happiness might not be in any kind of book that she might buy, but she can certainly eat her way into it.