Eating mood-boosting foods can help you turn around a negative mindset. Sometimes, eating healthy by consuming foods with ample vitamins, minerals, and proteins can be the difference maker between having a positive outlook on your day and feeling a bit “low”.
Specific types of foods, along with a well-balanced diet, can help you achieve a more positive mindset. Plus, consuming mood-boosting foods helps you feel better physically, which can directly impact your mental state. Certain foods help gut health, digestion, and concentration, which can all help you focus and feel better throughout the day.
Best Mood-Boosting Foods
The best mood-boosting foods to consider adding to your diet are the following:
- Fatty fish — Fatty fish like salmon contain omega 3 fatty acids, which help with brain functioning and alleviating depression. Furthermore, fatty acids help you stay fuller for longer, which means less snacking that can lead to weight gain.
- Dark chocolate — Dark chocolate is the best answer for a sweet treat when you want something small after a meal. Dark chocolate has been linked to improved mood, better brain ‘fuel’, reduced inflammation, and mood regulation.
- Fermented foods — Eating fermented foods, like kombucha, kefir, or sauerkraut, are all great ways to help with your digestion and growing healthy gut bacteria. Plus, they have been linked to higher levels of serotonin, which is the mood-boosting chemical in your brain.
- Coffee — Coffee contains plenty of caffeine, which can help boost your mood through polyphenols. It is no wonder people drink a cup of coffee every day on their way to work. Not only does it give you a much-needed energy boost, but it helps lower the risk of depression.
- Antioxidant-rich foods – Antioxidants reduce free radicals in the body to ensure your tissues, DNA, and proteins are protected. Antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and stress within the body that could potentially lead to anxiety and depression. Foods to include in your everyday diet are fruits, leafy vegetables, cinnamon, ginger, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts.
- High-fiber foods – The last type of mood-boosting foods to add to your daily diet are high-fiber options. High-fiber foods are similar to probiotics in that they help produce a healthy gut microbiome by feeding the healthy gut bacteria. The best types of high-fiber foods include vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Mood-Boosting Foods Help Concentration
If you are feeling like you can’t stay focused at work or school during long classes, it could be in part due to a high-sugar diet. Some foods help your mood, wellbeing, and concentration so you can stay focused without feeling jittery. Reducing consumption of high-sugar, high-processed, and high-sugar drinks can help you reduce anxiety and maintain an even level of concentration.
Gut Health
Mood-boosting foods not only help you feel better, but they help your body work at an optimal level. Certain types of foods help with your gut microbiome and digestion to help treat inflammation, improve gut health, and reduce the chance of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Smoking or consuming alcohol can lead to chronic inflammation, while eating mood-boosting foods can help reduce inflammation and bloating.
Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician. Please speak with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
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