The Best Foods to Boost Your Mood

Feeling down? It could be due to your diet:

the foods you eat actually play a vital role in how you

feel. While it can be tempting to indulge in comfort food to lift your spirits on a bad day, sugary and fatty treats will cause spikes in blood sugar and mood swings. On the other hand, the right nutrients can improve your mood, ease stress and even help fight depression

I’ve created a list of the top mood-boosting foods you can eat to lift your spirits. Take a look:

Fatty fish

Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain

health and are thought to lower the risk of depression. These acids play a key role in helping your

brain cells release chemical messengers (neurotransmitters). Other foods high in omega-3 include

flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts and soya beans. Your body can’t produce omega-3 on its own, so It’s a good idea to eat foods rich in omega-3 regularly.

Dark chocolate

It’s official: chocolate really does make you happy! Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and mood-boosting compounds, and research has found indulging in a small amount each day for two weeks reduces stress hormones. Dark chocolate also increases blood flow in the brain and has anti-

inflammatory properties. To stay healthy, it’s best to choose dark chocolate rather than milk

chocolate, which has added fat and sugar.

Fermented foods

Did you know that up to 90% of the body’s feel-good hormone serotonin is made in the gut? In fact,

there’s increasing evidence to show that a healthy gut corresponds to a good mood. Fermented

foods like live yogurt and sauerkraut are high in probiotics, known to improve gut health and

increase serotonin levels. It’s been suggested that probiotics have a positive impact on depression,

too.

Bananas

Bananas are high in vitamin B6, which helps synthesise feel-good chemicals like dopamine and

serotonin. They’re also a healthy way to get a sugar fix: because bananas have plenty of fibre, the

sugar they contain is released slowly, meaning you avoid the mood swings brought on by spikes and dips in your blood sugar.

Oats

Want a healthy breakfast that keeps you in good spirits throughout the morning? Whole grains

found in certain breads and cereals slowly release energy into the bloodstream, keeping your blood sugar levels – and your mood – stable. Whole grain oats are thought to be especially beneficial because they’re also a great source of iron. Foods high in iron protect against anaemia, which can cause fatigue and mood disorders.

Berries

It’s thought that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables lowers your risk of depression because these

foods are high in antioxidants. Dark berries, and in particular blueberries, are packed full of

antioxidants called flavonoids which help regulate mood, boost memory and protect the brain from

ageing.

Nuts and seeds

A handful of nuts a day can keep bad moods at bay. Nuts and seeds such as sesame and pumpkin seeds are packed with serotonin-boosting nutrients. Walnuts and almonds are also great sources of essential fatty acids including omega-3. Don’t go overboard if you’re watching your weight though, as nuts are also high in calories!

Coffee

It seems coffee is the world’s most popular drink for a reason. We all know coffee makes us more

alert, but it also promotes your body’s production of the happy-hormone dopamine. In fact, studies

have suggested that up to 2 cups a day could help protect against depression. If drinking coffee

makes you jittery, I’ve some good news for you: studies have found decaf also has mood-boosting

properties.

Beans and lentils

In addition to being high in fibre, protein and iron, beans and lentils are full of feel-good nutrients.

They’re rich in B vitamins, which increase your