Top 4 Good Mood Foods

Posted by Diane Hoch in Blogs, Newsletters with No Comments

1. Vibrant Veggies

veggies Vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, boast a wide array of nutritional benefits including mood boosters! Green veggies like spinach, kale and broccoli contain high levels of folic acid – a B vitamin essential to mood and nerve function.  This vitamin regulates mood by boosting levels of serotonin which is a hormone in our bodies responsible for mood maintenance.

Veggies such as spinach, are also high in magnesium, a key mineral in metabolism. Magnesium is essential for energy, nervous system balance and blood sugar control – all elements that can impact our mood!

Blend a handful of spinach into your green smoothie or steam fresh broccoli for lunch to keep your mind and mood light and blissful.There you have it: eat green, feel good!

 

2. Berries, Beautiful Berries

Summer is berry season and fresh berries are notorious for their health benefits – including mood enhancement! These sweet, fresh fruits are chocked full of nutrients that help decrease stress levels and are  linked to lowering the chance of depression. The antioxidants in berries counteract cortisol – a chemical our bodies release in times of stress.

Blueberry Compote

If you’re experiencing stress at work or home, calm your nerves with a handful of fresh, organic berries in your breakfast oatmeal or as your mid-afternoon snack. Let the natural remedies do the work!

Check out July’s featured recipe for your serving of fresh berries!

 

3. Mood Mending Nuts

Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential ingredient for a good mood. These Healthy fats like  are known for their links to brain health as both a memory and mood booster. Studies show that this essential fatty acid has been linked to helping depression, ADHD and Alzheimer’s.walnuts

Walnuts and almonds are a great source of omega-3 as well as magnesium for the extra energy to fight off a bad day! Add a handful of chopped walnuts to your salad or bag up a few almonds for a mood boosting snack.

 

4. Brain Healthy Beans & Legumes

Beans and legumes are an underrated staple in the healthy food movement! These small protein packed superfoods are full of the antioxidant, selenium. This nutrient helps reduce oxidative stress in the brain helping to relax your body and mind.

Beans

These plant-based pods also keep blood sugar levels stable which translates to a stable mood!

Not only are beans and legumes full of fiber, keeping you satisfied longer, but they boast high levels of folic acid like our green, leafy friends! One cup of cooked lentils houses 90 percent of the recommended daily intake of folic acid.

Diets lacking in folate have been linked to depression so to keep up your mood, enjoy a beautiful lentil salad or nutritious bean burger and see how good you feel!

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