Are You Anxious? 14 Foods to Boost Your Mood

Foods to Boost Your Mood

Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults?

Food is an important factor that boosts your mood.

If you have a good diet, you can open up your pantry and find plenty of mood-boosting delicacies that are both healthy and delicious.

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Lifestyle and Mood

When you are dealing with any mood changes, whether it is more irritability, anger, or just mood swings.  it is a good idea to take a look at your health and lifestyle first. Even if it might be a medical condition that your doctor can help treat, consider what your current lifestyle is like.

Are you drinking alcohol or caffeine more than normal? Do you get enough exercise? How is your stress level?

Another important aspect of your mood and mental health is with your diet. There are quite a few healthy and delicious foods that are not only food for your body but can help boost your mood as well.

Here Are The Top 14 Foods That Are Going to Boost Your Mood

1. Dark Leafy Greens
   The first type of food that can be amazing for your mood is dark, leafy greens. Greens have a variety of nutrients. These include fiber, which balances your blood sugar, B vitamins for brain health, as well as iron.

Studies show that iron deficiency linked to anxiety and disrupted neurotransmitters. This provides even more reason to eat these nutritious veggies.

Iron also helps to produce energy, which can lead to positive feelings. While it can be great for boosting your mood, you also want to be sure not to have too much iron. Talk to your doctor to discuss the right amount.

2. Salmon
   Salmon acts as a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are exceptional for helping to boost your mood. Omega-3 fatty acids act as crucial elements in the development of your nervous system and brain. In geographical areas where the residents eat more fatty fish, they become less likely to get anxious or depressed.  So, it makes sense that it would be good for your mood! There are also high amounts of protein as well as vitamins B12 and D in omega-3 fatty foods like salmon. If you haven’t had much salmon before, try adding it to your diet.

You can have a little salmon on your salad with lots of veggies (and leafy greens!). Or make a small serving of blackened salmon with brown rice and steamed veggies. These provide simple, healthy ways to incorporate salmon into your diet.

And There Are More Mood-Boosting Foods

3. Turkey
   Full of tryptophan, turkey produces a neurotransmitter called serotonin. When you have lower levels of tryptophan in your body, that can lead to less serotonin development as well as an increase in depression and anxiety. Turkey also has tyrosine, an amino acid that affects neurotransmitters.

This is a healthy, low-fat protein option, so it is great for most people’s diets. Whether you are on a healthy diet, low-carb, or low-fat diet, it is going to work great for you. Start adding turkey to your sandwiches, have roasted turkey for dinner, or use ground turkey in place of ground beef in different recipes.

Some other mood-boosting elements of turkey include vitamins B6 and B12, as well as zinc. Zinc deficiencies often lead to increased occurrences of depression and anxiety.

4. Chia Seeds
   Chia seeds act as another rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as nutrients such as iron, calcium, fiber, and protein. Chia also contains magnesium, which increases feelings of well-being.

There are so many benefits to chia seeds, that they will not only help aid in boosting your mood, but they provide overall health and wellness for your body and mind.

The easiest way to incorporate more chia seeds into your diet is by adding them to your smoothie or protein shake.

These Are Extraordinary Boost Your Mood Additions to Your Diet

5. Eggs
   Eggs were previously thought to be a slightly unhealthy option because of the higher fat content. But many studies have shown that they don’t have an effect on your cholesterol than was once predicted. Of course, if your doctor advises against them, they might still be something to pass u

If you like eggs, definitely add them to your diet to help boost your mood. They are high in vitamins B12 and D, as well as protein. Eggs have choline, which helps with your nervous system and mood.  Choline also makes neurotransmitters and selenium, an antioxidant. When you eat antioxidant-rich foods, it helps with your brain health and boosts your mood.

6. Lentils
   Next up is lentils, which supply folate, a vitamin that helps your nervous system develop. Those who are deficient in folate experience higher rates of depression. They also contain fiber, which helps with blood sugar, protein, vitamin B6, and iron. Vitamin B6 makes neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin.

If you are not accustomed to eating lentils, start small by adding some to salads or having soup with lentils in them.

7. Avocados
   The good thing about avocados is that not only do they help boost your mood, but they are delicious! Many people love eating avocados but had no idea they could actually be good for you.

It is true that avocados are higher in fat, but it is a healthy type of fat. They contain fiber and vitamins B6, E, and C. Another valuable vitamin you can get from avocados is B5.  This nutrient helps your neurotransmitters develop.

Do Not Forget To Add

8. Fermented Food
   In the past few years, research has shown a definite link between your brain and your gut. Over 90 percent of serotonin gets produced in your digestive system. So, to get your mood back on track, you will need to optimize your gut health.

These days, researchers have looked at the link between mood and gut bacteria. Some meta-analyses even say that probiotics can help with depression.

Whether your fermented food item of choice is sauerkraut, kombucha, or even dairy-free yogurt, all of these foods are excellent sources of probiotics. Excellent sources of probiotics are sauerkraut, kombucha, and dairy-free yogurt.

9. Chocolate
   There is a reason you tend to feel better and happier after eating chocolate, and it is not just from the sugar. Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, is amazing for health and wellness. It contains compounds such as phenylethylamine (for endorphins) and anandamide, which researchers call the “bliss” chemical. Not only is chocolate a good source of antioxidants, but it can also improve cognition and mood.or a healthier option, try to go for the darkest chocolate you are able to enjoy, looking for lower amounts of sugar in the chocolate.

10. Ghee
    If you don’t like butter or can’t eat it due to a dairy allergy, you’re in luck! You can instead use ghee, which is made from butter but doesn’t have the same effect on your body. It also happens to be another great food for improving your mood.

Also known as clarified butter, ghee has a lot of nutritious fats as well as vitamin D. It also helps to heal the digestive tract.  Then your gut bacteria will develop.

Feeling stressed? Instead of reaching for candy, try one of the Top 14 foods for stress relief. Click To Tweet

More Great Benefits From Mood-Boosting Foods

11. Sunflower Seeds
    A great source of vitamins B6, E, and magnesium, sunflower seeds are a good mood booster for those with allergies to nuts. You can easily switch any type of nut called for in a recipe for sunflower seeds.

Try adding sunflower seeds to your salads, or just having a handful of the seeds as a snack with a piece of fruit or cheese.

12. Almonds
    Almonds act as an amazing source of protein, vitamin E, fiber, and magnesium. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, which helps fight damage caused by free radicals. This food item also improves your cognition and memory.

Not only can they help improve your mood and your overall health, but they are easy to add to your diet. There are so many ways to incorporate more almonds into your diet, from dipping apple slices in almond butter to adding almond flour in your baked goods.

13. Bell Peppers
    Before finishing off this list, we can’t forget about bell peppers. All colors of bell peppers are great for you, low in fat, low in carbohydrates, and have lots of vitamins and minerals.

Bell peppers have antioxidant vitamin C, This vitamin helps your nervous system and cognition. Studies show that vitamin C reduces your stress and helps with mood.

Give These A Try

14. Sardines
    Last, but not least, are sardines. These are an acquired taste and not mandatory, but a good option if you enjoy the salty fish. Sardines come with a bunch of mood-boosting elements. In addition to high levels of vitamin B12, choline, vitamin D, protein, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Boosting your mood with food is one of the easiest ways to improve your well-being over time. You can see results even if you don’t overhaul your diet right away. Making one or two changes to your diet to include more mood-friendly foods can be just the thing to change your life for the better.

Whether that change involves getting acquainted with kombucha or keeping a dark chocolate bar in your drawer “in case of emergency”.  Making tweaks to your diet now can pay dividends in the future.

If you are one of the millions of people suffering from anxiety, try adding some of these foods to your shopping list.

I am Shirley Noah, an internationally known stress expert and entrepreneur. I would love to connect further with you to help you improve your health and wellbeing.  If you are interested in learning more about a worry journal, please take a look at my popular 8 days, FREE E-course, Worry Journal.

For more Info on Eating to Relieve Stress go here “How to Eat to Relieve Stress”

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