Mood Boosting Foods
What you eat affects your mood.. and vice versa: Hunger makes people irritable, and sometimes eating is a consolation for their troubles. Thanks to scientific research, we know a little more about the relationship between diet and emotional balance. And it is proven: some foods can make you feel better. Still need to consume these mood boosting foods wisely!
Nothing like sitting down to a good meal when you are feeling down, as certain foods do have a direct influence on your mood:
Chocolate is probably one of the most common and the best known mood boosting foods, it is often a spontaneous cure when you feel depressed. No wonder ! Its virtues do not come from the substances in it either, but the simple fact that it is delicious! The gourmet pleasure it gives you results in increased blood levels of beta-endorphin, an endogenous opioid.
It causes increased secretion of serotonin, a neurotransmitter known to be soothing . Too bad it is high in calories (500 Calories per 100 g) and very rich in fat (28-30 %)… We recommend that you eat only the dark / bitter variety to limit the damage as dark chocolate is less sweet, it saturates the taste buds faster, and you can easily stop in time!
Coffee is essential to start the day for some people, and at noon after lunch. It makes sense as caffeine exerts its exciting action on brain cells, wakes them up , stimulates them and aids digestion. But if taken in excess, coffee interferes with their sleep, and hinders mental recovery.
If it is the smell of coffee you like first thing in the morning, just make decaf- which contains 20 times less caffeine than robusta and 10 times less than Arabica. And try not to exceed 2 to 3 cups per day.
Yeast and wheat germ are great foods for a great body that are also rich in B vitamins and selenium, which can cause a lack of apathy or depression, or the lack of them can lead to nervousness and irritability. Being also very natural, they can help keep a good emotional balance and allow you better react to stress.
Carbohydrates or sugars provide the “fuel” that the brain needs to function properly. When blood sugar drops, your mood often deteriorates. But eating candy bars or energy drinks rich in carbohydrates can have opposite effects of those you may be looking for as they may cause sharp fluctuations in blood glucose levels, and cause fatigue and drowsiness.
Choose unrefined carbohydrate foods like wholemeal bread or wholegrain cereals, rich in fiber dried fruits and eat the sweet foods during a meal.
Some products like royal jelly and ginseng are thought to provide vital energy , promote vitality and even enhance sexual power. How great! In fact, it is just the beginning for us to be familiar with all their components, and their effects on the body. Until more is known , do not hesitate to take them if they make you feel good: Placebo or real, important thing is that they work for you!
In all cases, be careful with alcoholic beverages. Alcohol makes you feel euphoric temporarily, but it can never help solve life’s difficulties. Instead, it often creates an addiction with disastrous consequences.
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