5 Foods To Lift Your Mood
Anybody who has reached for a chocolate bar at the end of a bad day knows that moods can affect what we eat, but few know that sometimes what we eat can affect our moods. While scientists and nutritionists are still uncertain in making categorical assertions about exactly how food can change how we feel and act, there are some certainties and trusted theories on how to eat in a way that is best for your happiness and mental health.
While eating a general healthy diet and exercising regularly give great mood benefits, here are 5 foods in particular that may give you a short or long-term happiness and energy boost.
1. Leafy greens
If you feeling constantly tired and run-down, then you might benefit from a little extra iron in your diet. While more serious forms of anaemia (iron deficiency) must be treated with iron supplements, if you are only a little low then you might just need to increase your intake of iron rich foods. Iron can be found in abundance in red meat, but a healthier way to increase your iron is to eat more leafy greens like kale or spinach.
2. Fish
You have probably heard a lot in passing about Omega-3 fatty acids but not really understood why they are important. When it comes to keeping your mood stable, Omega-3 is an essential investment because it is thought that Omega-3 plays a role in developing the neural pathways in our brains. Although the research is still uncertain, it is thought that those with low Omega-3 intake are at higher risk of developing certain mental illnesses. Since a little extra fish never hurt anybody, it is worth erring on the side of caution and upping your Omega-3 intake.
3. Eggs (and a dose of sunshine)
Vitamin D is naturally created by our bodies when sunlight touches our skin, and it has many roles in keeping our body healthy like strengthening our bones. Crucially however, low levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression (especially seasonal affective disorder). How much vitamin D you need depends on a variety of factors like where you live and your skin colour, but generally those worst affected are those with darker skin tones who live in less sunny areas. Since too much sun can lead to skin damage, a better way of topping up your vitamin D is eating some vitamin D packed eggs.
4. Fortified breakfast cereals
Cereal manufacturers are often trying to duel the competition by making their cereals healthier, and because of this many cereals are now fortified with essential vitamins - even traditionally unhealthy cereals like children's chocolatey cereals. Crucially, many cereals are fortified with B vitamins (especially B12) and folate, which are both helpful in lifting your mood and (according to some studies) combatting mild depression. Next time you are picking up cereal, have a little look and see if your cereal of choice has been fortified with vitamins.
5. Oranges
It is well known that sugar can give you a much needed pick-me-up, but the downside is that it also leads to a crash. Therefore if you are going to opt for a sugary snack for a quick boost, then pick a snack like fruit that has a reasonable amount of naturally occurring sugar. Oranges are a great option, because citrus fruits also contain massive amounts of Vitamin C, which helps keep you alive and alert in the long term.
While eating a general healthy diet and exercising regularly give great mood benefits, here are 5 foods in particular that may give you a short or long-term happiness and energy boost.
1. Leafy greens
If you feeling constantly tired and run-down, then you might benefit from a little extra iron in your diet. While more serious forms of anaemia (iron deficiency) must be treated with iron supplements, if you are only a little low then you might just need to increase your intake of iron rich foods. Iron can be found in abundance in red meat, but a healthier way to increase your iron is to eat more leafy greens like kale or spinach.
2. Fish
You have probably heard a lot in passing about Omega-3 fatty acids but not really understood why they are important. When it comes to keeping your mood stable, Omega-3 is an essential investment because it is thought that Omega-3 plays a role in developing the neural pathways in our brains. Although the research is still uncertain, it is thought that those with low Omega-3 intake are at higher risk of developing certain mental illnesses. Since a little extra fish never hurt anybody, it is worth erring on the side of caution and upping your Omega-3 intake.
3. Eggs (and a dose of sunshine)
Vitamin D is naturally created by our bodies when sunlight touches our skin, and it has many roles in keeping our body healthy like strengthening our bones. Crucially however, low levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression (especially seasonal affective disorder). How much vitamin D you need depends on a variety of factors like where you live and your skin colour, but generally those worst affected are those with darker skin tones who live in less sunny areas. Since too much sun can lead to skin damage, a better way of topping up your vitamin D is eating some vitamin D packed eggs.
4. Fortified breakfast cereals
Cereal manufacturers are often trying to duel the competition by making their cereals healthier, and because of this many cereals are now fortified with essential vitamins - even traditionally unhealthy cereals like children's chocolatey cereals. Crucially, many cereals are fortified with B vitamins (especially B12) and folate, which are both helpful in lifting your mood and (according to some studies) combatting mild depression. Next time you are picking up cereal, have a little look and see if your cereal of choice has been fortified with vitamins.
5. Oranges
It is well known that sugar can give you a much needed pick-me-up, but the downside is that it also leads to a crash. Therefore if you are going to opt for a sugary snack for a quick boost, then pick a snack like fruit that has a reasonable amount of naturally occurring sugar. Oranges are a great option, because citrus fruits also contain massive amounts of Vitamin C, which helps keep you alive and alert in the long term.
This is a Guest Post by Ashley Williamson an occasional guest-blogger and a full-time insurance professional. Ashley currently represents health.com.au a perfect source to find the best private health cover solutions for individuals.
When not dealing with insurance, she likes to work out in the gym and explore the World’s hidden treasures.
When not dealing with insurance, she likes to work out in the gym and explore the World’s hidden treasures.
