Eating to Boost Your Mood: Which Foods Really Work?

We are all guilty of dipping our hands in the biscuit barrel when we are feeling a bit low or uncorking a bottle of our favourite wine if we need a pick-me-up. Unfortunately, emotional eating can lead to an over-consumption of calories that generally lack nutrients and have no long-term effect on your mood. While a little of what you fancy is sure to do you good, there are far more effective ways to eat yourself happy and nourish your body at the same time, so you don’t then suffer with feelings of guilt after consumption.

Complex Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates have had a bad reputation over the years, with misinformed dieters believing that they will make them fat. However, carbohydrates are an important part of your diet and should be treated as such. Instead of choosing simple carbohydrates, like white bread, white pasta and foods high in sugar, you should be looking to incorporate complex carbs like wholemeal bread, beans, pulses, brown rice and oats. These release sugars slowly into the body so that you don’t experience an energy rollercoaster, instead keeping you on an even keel throughout the day.

When it comes to making you happy, complex carbohydrates help the brain to absorb tryptophan, a protein found in oily fish, eggs and cocoa which are responsible for boosting serotonin. Serotonin helps you to sleep and regulates your mood, so you can feel happier for longer!

Eggs

Full of vitamin B and B9, eggs are considered to be one of the best foods for your body, since they contain every essential amino acid, making them a perfect protein. When it comes to boosting your mood, those b vitamins are important, helping to produce chemicals that make your brain feel good.

Oily Fish

Jam-packed with omega-3, oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and salmon can help to boost the production of both serotonin and dopamine, the two happy hormones in your brain. They also contain zinc, which may help reduce anger and depression.

The Science Behind Your Diet

A study based in Australia linked the size of the hippocampus – the region of your brain that is related to mood and learning – to the quality of food a person ate. It showed that those who ate fresh fish, fruit and vegetables had a larger hippocampus than those who had a diet rich in processed foods and takeaways. As a result, those with a smaller hippocampus were more likely to suffer with depression. The study went as far to say that pregnant women should be particularly mindful of the foods they eat, as the nutrients that are absorbed through the womb can affect the mental wellbeing of the child when it is born.

Don’t Forget to Hydrate

Finally, it is worth noting that hydration is just as important as your diet. A well-hydrated body is an efficient one, helping to boost the production of all the hormones and chemicals that your body needs to work well, including those that make you happy!

If you are looking for solutions to live a more positive and balanced life, then Vitacodis may be able to help you. Visit our website www.vitacodis.com and sign up for the newsletter to receive the latest updates about Vitacodis, newly published online video courses and other services.

Written by: Serge Scotto