Healthy Foods That Boost Your Mood

When you’re feeling depressed or stressed out, it is easy to turn to junk foods or alcohol as a comforting mechanism. Consuming these foods and beverages may make you feel good in the moment, but in the long run, they are not only harming your physical health, but also your ability to be happy.

Many junk foods are high in carbs and sugar, which will give you an immediate boost, but leave you crashing later. The same is true of alcohol: a few drinks may make you feel happier, but alcohol is actually a depressant. It alters your brain chemistry and promotes depression.

Healthy foods play a significant role in reducing depression and stress. They lift you up instead of dragging you down. They nourish you and help your body function properly, which can help you feel normal again. A well-nourished body is more easily able to deal with life’s stresses, which also makes you more immune to depression.

Many mood-boosting healthy foods are also delicious, so you can have the best of both worlds. Omega-3s are one of the most effective mood-boosting nutrients. Found in fatty fishes such as salmon and mussels, omega-3s stimulate dopamine production in the brain. Dopamine is the chemical that the brain naturally releases when you do something pleasurable, such as having sex or eating good food.

Spicy foods also produce a pleasurable and calming effect. Hot chile peppers contain capsaicin, which is the molecule that makes them taste spicy. Lucky for us, the human brain is full of receptors for capsaicin. In response to the “spice molecule,” the brain releases endorphins, which promote feelings of calmness and euphoria. Many lovers of spicy food report experiencing a “spice high” after eating extremely spicy food.

The next mood-boosting food will probably not surprise you: chocolate. Studies have found that eating a moderate amount of chocolate each day actually staves off depression. Eating chocolate stimulates endorphin production in the brain, which soothes anxiety and promotes feelings of well-being. Many people also feel deeply comforted by the simple act of indulging in chocolate. Just be sure to limit your intake to a small portion each day. It is also important to choose a healthy variety without a lot of added sugar or other unhealthy ingredients. Choose a high-quality dark chocolate that contains the highest percentage of cacao you enjoy.

No matter how tempting it is to consume junk foods, remember that what you put into your body is what you get out of it. If you feel like junk, adding more junk to the mix will not make you feel better. On the other hand, consuming some good, nutritious foods, just might create the mood-boost that you need. Take care of your body and it will take care of you.