Our bodies are energetic and biological machines that run on a specific fuel to survive and thrive, and that fuel is food. This substance consists of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and other nutrients like vitamins and minerals, allowing for vital functions and processes in our complex system.
Besides sustenance, we turn to food for emotional support, and that choice is typically junk food. While a fast intake of sugar and carbs may serve an immediate need, it will not sustain any positive emotional support.
There are other items to consume that will give you lasting joy and are good for you at the same time. In addition to paying attention to your diet, online psychotherapy can also provide the emotional support you need.
Let’s go over the foods that make you happier.
1. Banana
Bananas are a popular fruit that most people love, and for a good reason, they elevate your mood. Bananas are filled with vitamin B6, which is used to create serotonin, the feel-good hormone, and tryptophan, which boosts its release.
This neurotransmitter also helps lower homocysteine in your blood, reducing cognitive decline and dementia. They are a good carbohydrate and electrolytes source to help calm you.
2. Whole Grains
Whole grains like oats, buckwheat and quinoa are packed with fibre and support gut health. They also help with the synthesis of serotonin because they are healthy carbohydrates.
3. Berries
Berries are high in antioxidants, which reduce the symptoms of depression and protect the brain from oxidative stress.
Their juice also is linked to a slower cognitive decline with aging because of the nutrients, including copper and folate. Fresh and frozen berries have disease-fighting anthocyanin, which also helps with depression.
4. Coconut
This tropical fruit is another great mood-lifting food we can enjoy for its healthy fat. It is loaded with medium-chain triglycerides to boost your energy and MTCs in the milk that can reduce anxiety. Coconuts are also anti-inflammatory, which helps as brain inflammation is a contributing factor to depression.
5. Mushrooms
These tasty fungi are loaded with vitamin D, which can boost your mood and act as an antidepressant. Because it is a non-animal source of vitamin D, the body can easily absorb it to get the full benefits faster.
6. Fatty Fish
Do you like salmon, bluefin tuna, black cod and sardines? They like you and want to cheer you up. These fatty fish are filled with omega-3 fatty acids, which we need for overall health and well-being.
Omega-3s are linked to lower levels of depression and help with brain development, cell signalling, and cell membrane fluidity. They are also great at fighting inflammation, and because of the high protein content, it positively influences your energy and mood while filling you up.
7. Fermented Foods
There is much beneficial fermented food that will help elevate your mood. These are packed with probiotics, which promote a healthy gut, and this is where most of your serotonin is made. Fermented foods include:
- Yogurt
- Kombucha
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Kefir
Serotonin is so good for positively affecting your mood, sexual drive, appetite and stress response.
8. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is a powerhouse in the mood-enhancing game. First, you have sugar. While sugar is not a healthy food source, it gives you immediate energy because it is a fast fuel source for the brain. Second, it is full of antioxidants that fight free radical damage.
Several mood-lifting compounds, like theobromine, act as stimulants to improve your mood. Phenylethylamine produces dopamine, an antidepressant, and tryptophan, the amino acid that aids in serotonin production in the brain. Plus, dark chocolate just tastes amazing and is somewhat addictive.
9. Eggs
Eggs are among the healthiest things on the planet, and their yolks are full of choline, which boosts brain function. Eggs also have lots of protein and vitamin B12 which is great for energy.
10. Leafy Greens
It is a great idea to eat a rainbow of fruit and vegetable colours but for a really good mood enhancer, pick leafy green vegetables. Foods like spinach, swiss chard and kale are full of folate, and many other green veggies are high in antioxidants to help with digestion, muscle relaxation and the calming of the mind and body.
11. Other Foods
Many other foods help the body and mind elevate and produce happy chemicals. These include:
- Olive oil
- Coffee
- Flax seed
- Turmeric
- Green tea
- Avocado
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Beans
- Lentils
- Tomatoes
- Chicken breast
- Broccoli
The common denominator with these foods is that they are packed with happy nutrients like:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B12
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Antioxidants
- Complex carbs
- Folate
- Tryptophan
You find these happy vitamins and minerals in all the above foods and more, and they will keep you in a positive state of mind. They also happen to be extremely healthy and will promote natural weight loss and improved function throughout the entire body.
Fighting a mood disorder can be tough; all you want to do is feel better. This is an excellent way to eat yourself happy, so start consuming these mood-enhancing foods and see how they can help improve your life.