Sometimes it’s something that reminds you of home. Sometimes it’s something nostalgic from your childhood. Sometimes it’s that forbidden candy bar. What am I talking about? “Comfort Food.” There’s a reason why there’s a whole collection of food under this classification, and it’s often based on our moods. Unfortunately, comfort foods don’t always correlate with the healthiest food choices, and they often make us feel worse after we eat them. When we’re in the mood for something—whether it’s because we’re sad, lonely, tired, bored, or stressed—wouldn’t it make more sense to reach for food that would improve our mood naturally? Whatever your comfort is, there’s a good mood food for you.
Kefir Milk
Loaded with probiotics and tryptophan, an amino acid that increases serotonin levels in the brain, Kefir Milk can help you feel calm and keep your anxious feelings at bay. Try it in your next smoothie with a handful of frozen strawberries or a dash of OJ to boost your vitamin C intake. This will help your immune system and fight brain-cell damage from cortisol, a stress hormone.
Low-fat Yogurt
Low-fat yogurt is rich in vitamin B12, which helps form GABA, a calming neurotransmitter. Try purchasing natural yogurt in tubes and freezing them—you can enjoy it as a delicious yogurt pop that rivals any favorite frozen treat.
Oatmeal
For the ultimate comfort food, cook up some oatmeal on a chilly morning. It contains folic acid, which makes dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Instead of brown sugar, drizzle in a bit of 100% maple syrup, or add a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for a delicious fall treat.
Dark Chocolate
If you have a health conscious sweet tooth, dark chocolate is a well-known favorite. Interacting with the brain’s chemical messengers accountable for regulating mood, one bite-size square of dark chocolate can lower cortisol and catecholamines, reducing anxious feelings in your body.
Whole Grain Cereal
Fortified whole grain cereal is a double serving of happiness, with vitamin D and folic acid. Vitamin D can help in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps your body feel calm, happy, and relaxed. Many people diagnosed with depression have folic acid deficiencies, but eating foods rich in folic acid can help produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Add some low-fat milk and you’ll also get a healthy dose of vitamin B12.
Apple with Peanut Butter
An apple with peanut butter is a powerful one-two punch of protein and carbohydrates that help your body ward off irritability. The apples gives a quick energy boost, while the fat and protein in peanut butter slow the digestion process, which helps your body maintain a steady level of energy for a longer period of time.
If you’re coming upon a time when you are more likely to reach for comfort food—a holiday, a stressful time at work, or even a birthday celebration, keep some of these healthy foods handy in your cabinet or your fridge. You’ll quickly forget the funk you’re in with these foods that boost your mood.
Resources:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-top-superfoods-boost-your-mood
http://www.today.com/health/good-mood-food-small-changes-can-give-you-more-energy-6140301
http://www.marthastewart.com/271195/good-mood-food
http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/stress-management/7-foods-that-boost-every-type-of-bad-mood-110419
http://www.rd.com/slideshows/9-foods-for-a-good-mood/
