Mark / Published on October 7, 2014
You’ve had the most stressful day at work, your in-laws are coming to visit and to top it all off your journey home resembled a scene from “The Day After Tomorrow”.
Let’s face it, after a bad day sometimes all you want to do is eat your troubles away and when there’s plenty of scientific evidence to prove that certain foods can alter your mood then why shouldn’t you?
However, whilst we often crave comfort foods at times of distress these can often have quite the opposite effect than desired making you tired, bloated and unsatisfied.
So what should you eat when you’re feeling blue?
Well, eating a healthy diet is not only good for your physical health, what you eat can too have a significant impact on your mental wellbeing. Reducing stress levels and easing your anxiety is just a forkful of ‘brain food’away so we have complied a list of some of the healthiest foods to help you eat yourself happy this winter!
Enjoy
Strawberries, Oranges and Mango
It is fairly well known that Vitamin C has significant immune boosting power but it is often overlooked with regards to its mood boosting abilities of which it has many. Vitamin C is an extremely powerful antioxidant and has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms. So start your day off with a bowl of strawberries, oranges, mango and a dollop of Greek yogurt (which is high in Vitamin D - another great mood enhancer)
Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium - a mineral vital to all functions of the body in particular the immune system. Studies have shown low selenium levels can cause depression, irritability, anxiety and tiredness so by eating just three Brazil nuts a day you can achieve your recommended daily amount and improve your overall mood.
Oats
Oats possess a low glycaemic index as they slowly release energy into the blood stream helping maintain stable blood sugar levels. Oats are an extremely effective mood booster and just as we mentioned before are a great source of selenium.
Bananas
Abundant in a variety of mood boosting components, bananas are the perfect pick me up. High in Vitamins A, B6 and C, fibre, potassium and amino acid tryptophan aiding in the development of the mood lifting hormone serotonin within the body. This ability to raise serotonin levels means bananas are great at relieving such ailments as insomnia, depression and anxiety.
Dark Chocolate
Yes, you did read that correctly. Chocolate isn’t only a delicious treat but also a fantastic mood booster. Studies have shown that chocolate eaters produce less stress hormones and their anxiety levels decrease dramatically however it is important to consume primarily dark chocolate, in fact, the darker the better as this can cause the brain to release endorphins and boost serotonin levels.
Oysters
Oysters have many health benefits and are high in many essential qualities including zinc and protein rich amino acid called tyrosine. Zinc is vital to brain health and energy production with evidence revealing that depression sufferers are often found to be deficient in the mood boosting super food. Similarly, tyrosine produces chemicals within the brain which are thought to enhance your mental function and elevate your mood.
