Food
JM | Mar 2, 2023

Five feel-good foods guaranteed to boost your mood

Vanassa McKenzie

Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Among the many nutritional benefits that foods can provide, they can also help to boost your mood. Have you ever had a really bad day and the only thing that could uplift your spirit was a serving of your favourite dessert?

Undoubtedly, we all had one of those dull moments and studies have revealed there are certain foods that are considered feel foods that cause a chemical reaction in the body that improves the way you feel.

If you want to learn more about the different foods that can help you destress after a rough day at work or school, then you are at the right place.

Our Today presents a list of foods that are guaranteed to change your mood:

Nuts

One of the many foods that can improve your mood is nuts. Nuts are a great snack option for several individuals mainly because they are convenient and are packed with protein, magnesium and selenium.

According to an article published by Healthline some nuts and seeds are high in tryptophan, zinc, and selenium, which may support brain function and lower your risk of depression.

Nuts are a powerhouse for essential nutrients that can boost your immune system and also your mental well-being. Therefore, the next time you feel down, get a pack of your favourite nuts and snack away.

Fruits and vegetables

A diet that includes fruits and vegetables can provide essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and carotenoids that can reduce inflammation in the body and reduce stress.

Studies have shown that individuals who consume more fruits and vegetables are less stressed compared to persons who consume fewer fruits and vegetables.

According to Healthline, fruits such as berries and grapes are packed with a wide range of antioxidants and phenolic compounds, which play a key role in combatting oxidative stress, an imbalance of harmful compounds in your body.

Dark chocolate

What better way to improve your mood than a rich bar of dark chocolate? It is a known fact that chocolate can help improve one’s mood because it is considered a comfort food.

Chocolate helps to boost the production of endorphins in the body, these are hormones that the body releases when it feels pain or stress.

Ice-cream

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Ice cream is also another well-known feel-good food that can improve one’s mood after a hard day. Ice cream is rich in calcium, vitamin k, mineral and phosphorous.

The next time you are in a sad mood, just grab a spoon and indulge in a pint of your favourite ice cream and eat the blues away.

Fatty fish

Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for brain development. According to Healthline, consuming omega-3 in the form of fish oil lower depression scores.

According to a report in 2011, titled Brain, Behaviour and Immunity, omega-3 reduced both anxiety and inflammation among a group of young healthy individuals. So, the next time you are feeling stressed or anxious why not prepare your favourite fish dish to boost your mood?

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