Boost Your Mood With Food
Who knew that feeling good could be as simple as what’s on your plate? From omega-3-rich salmon that can help chase away the blues to the bright crunch of leafy greens that spark mental clarity, eating well isn’t just about nutrition; it’s about creating moments of delicious joy that nourish both body and mind.
Meals that include complex carbohydrates from whole foods - like sweet potatoes and rolled oats - can increase serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in several important bodily functions, including mood regulation, sleep, and digestion. Consuming protein-rich foods like beef, chicken, fish, and more can affect your mood, motivation, and concentration due to higher levels of dopamine. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, allows you to feel satisfaction. Produce, high in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, has been shown to boost happiness.
Since the new year is always a great time to revamp your menus, here are some good mood foods you’ll want to plate up in 2025.
Under the weather? Feel better with our Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Soup. The Instant Pot transforms the timeless comfort of chicken soup from a long-simmering project into a lightning-fast culinary rescue, delivering steaming bowls of wholesome goodness in mere minutes. Pair with crusty bread or a fresh side salad for a satisfying meal.
Regularly eating salmon and other fatty fish can improve your mood and boost the health of your hair and skin due to their omega-3 fatty acids. Incorporating salmon and other fatty fish into your diet is good because the body does not produce omega-3 fatty acids. Make these Lemon Salmon Patties with Sauce Verte from Clean Eating or our delicious Salmon Caesar Salad. Each recipe is packed with protein and offers a bright citrus flavor.
Dark leafy greens like spinach and Swiss chard are loaded with magnesium, a mineral that can impact serotonin levels and boost your mood. This good-for-you Garden-Fresh Rainbow Chard salad is the perfect start to any meal.
If you’re a green tea lover, you’ll love it even more after learning that green tea is promoted for improving mental alertness, relieving digestive symptoms and headaches, and promoting weight loss. Mix things up by adding a spritz of fresh lemon juice or lemon slice to the tea. Sweeten green tea with honey or raw sugar.
Blueberries are loaded with an antioxidant called flavonoids, which help mood and memory and protect the brain from aging. If you can’t find fresh blueberries, you can use frozen blueberries because flash freezing preserves the natural nutrients and antioxidants. Make this Blueberry Yogurt Dip Snack Board from Blueberry.org. It’s a boost of blue!
Studies have shown that eating dark chocolate in moderation is a heart-healthy treat. It’s rich in polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant that helps fight heart disease and inflammation. Studies have also shown that dark chocolate helps lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. Stir some dark chocolate chips into whole grain pancakes or waffles or make homemade trail mix using dark chocolate as an ingredient.
Choosing foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains over processed options like chips and sugary snacks can nourish your body and support emotional well-being, making every meal a step toward feeling your best.
