The Food and Mood Connection: 7 Foods to Brighten Your Mood!

The Food and Mood Connection

You already know that the food you eat each day plays a vital role in your overall health, but did you know that it can affect your mood too? Making healthier choices in your diet will not only help control your waistline, but it can also help lift your mood, and provide a long-lasting boost in energy and focus.

Since your brain is always working, it requires the right brain-boosting food with specific vitamins and high-quality nutrients to use as fuel throughout the day. The fuel we choose to eat can greatly affect our mood, energy, and our brain’s overall performance.

Our brains produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps calm and soothe us, giving us a more relaxed, cheerful mood. We recommend not only adding the best foods for good moods to your diet, but also incorporating natural supplements like BrainMD’s Serotonin Mood Support. These natural supplements can help ease anxiety, maintain a healthy mood and self-confidence, and can even help sustain deep sleep, a healthy appetite, and social engagement.

7 Foods to Eat for a Brighter Mood

Here are seven mood-boosting foods that you should add to your next grocery list:

1. Berries

Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are all high in vitamin C, which helps cope with cortisol, a hormone that is released during times of stress.

2. Beans

Black beans, lentils, and lima beans are all rich in magnesium, a mineral that functions to provide relaxation and calm.

3. Dark Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the ultimate comfort foods. The very taste of chocolate can produce a near euphoric state in many people. Brain healthy dark chocolate is full of protein and fiber and supports a positive mood and healthy cognition.

4. Fish

Mackerel, salmon, sardines, and trout all have high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which can alleviate anxiety.

5. Herbal Teas

Many herbal teas, such as chamomile, have calming properties. Black, green, white and red (rooibos) teas are also rich in antioxidants. Drinking a cup of warm tea can relieve stress and lift the spirits.

6. Leafy Greens

Kale is loaded with mood-moderating magnesium and raw spinach contains bliss-enhancing nutrients.

7. Whole Fruits

Apples, bananas, and oranges are packed with fiber and vitamin C. The sweet tastes and aromatic smells of these fruits can brighten one’s outlook and promote well-being.

 

Foods to Avoid

If you struggle with drastic changes in your mood and energy levels often, it can be helpful to avoid certain foods and beverages that can trigger mood swings. Here are some foods and beverages to avoid:

  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol
  • Sugar
  • Breads
  • Pasta
  • Potatoes
  • White Rice

As with any changes in diet, it is important to introduce new foods gradually to allow your body to adjust to a new routine and ensure that you do not have any food allergies. You will be amazed at the abundance of energy and the lifted moods these healthful foods will provide. Remember, fuel your brain with these key nutrients and supplements to support stress and mood and you will be feeling your best in no time!

For more information about our focus and attention products, and our full catalog of supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.

 

 

Laura Nunes
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Paul

How does someone know which supplements are best for their circumstances?

Keith Rowe

Paul,

Thanks for your inquiry. There are many different kinds of supplements at the BrainMD website and each of them has a description to help you choose which one is best for you. Hope this helps.

BrainMD Team

anna martin

I agree with this post. all the things are greatly define lot of informative thanks for sharing.

Sophia Morris

Thank you for writing such a helpful article Laura! It is even more important during the pandemic, when many are battling anxiety and stress. I feel another thing to avoid for mental health is alcohol. Studies have shown alcohol can increase stress and anxiety. 

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