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There’s more to your meal than nutritional value. The food you consume can have a powerful effect on your brain and mood. Now that’s some food for thought.
The food you eat can boost your cognitive function and even your mood, reported KSLTV. It can impact the rest of the body and how you think. By making the simple choice of what foods to incorporate in your diet, you can improve your mental health, mood, and the way you feel throughout the day.
Foods That Help to Boost Your Mood
Choosing the right foods is an important part of your overall wellbeing. Some foods contain neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that can help improve your mood, according to Healthline. Other foods are good for your gut, an important part of overall wellbeing. Here are four choices that are good for your mind and body:
Omega-3s
Foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help to improve your mood, according to TIME. The benefits of this dietary staple can be transformative. For people who have depression or bipolar disorder, adding Omega-3 fatty acids to their diet a few times a week can prove to be life-changing.
Foods that are rich in Omega-3s include nuts and seeds, salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed oil, and canola oil. These simple ingredients can be used in baking or in preparing dressing for a zesty salad.
Dark Chocolate
Another delicious food that may boost your mood is dark chocolate, according to Healthline. This mouth-watering dessert is filled with vitamins and minerals. However, when indulging in this healthy treat — it’s best to choose a high content of dark chocolate, which is lower in added sugar than milk chocolate.
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods such as kimchi, yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut also score high on the list of mood-boosting foods. The reason is that fermentation creates probiotics — live organisms that aid the growth of beneficial bacteria for gut health, and may boost levels of serotonin.
Coffee
Your cup of coffee doesn’t only jumpstart your morning — it can wake you up to feel-good neurotransmitters that improve your day — including dopamine and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). A study from the Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology that included 70 healthy adults found that caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee can significantly enhance mood, with caffeinated coffee showing a greater improvement.
The Connection Between Your Meals and Your Mood
While the food you choose to eat can directly affect your mood, it’s also the other way around. According to the website of the insurance company Aetna, your mood and mental health can also affect your meal choice. In other words, it is an ongoing cycle.
The good news is that you are in control and can easily break out of cycles that don’t serve you by choosing foods that nourish your body and mind. Opting for healthier and nutrient-packed choices can uplift your mood, helping you continue to choose foods that improve your wellbeing.
By making mindful decisions over the food you consume, you can continue to feel your best. Remember, you are in charge of your life. With the right food choices, improving your mood and enhancing your happiness is within reach.
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