BEST FOODS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD

Could your mood use a boost?  

What you eat can play a significant role in how you feel emotionally.  Research shows that eating foods with the right nutrients can boost your mood, fight depression, control stress and help ease anxiety. 

 Let’s take a look at some foods that can help boost your mood, and why!

1. Raw nuts & seeds like cashews, almonds, pumpkin, sunflower & sesame rich in protein, fiber & healthy fats AND an excellent source of tryptophan, an amino acid responsible for producing mood-boosting serotonin.

2. Anti-Inflammatory fats. Remember: not all fat is created equal. Choose coconut, olive oil, grass-fed butter, avocados, nuts and seeds for more calm and consistent energy, less brain fog and reduced cravings. Our brains are made up of 60% fat so we must fuel them with enough good fats to operate on all cylinders!

3. Clean Protein (Essential Amino Acids) Think: grass-fed, hormone-free meat & dairy: There are 9 essential amino acids our bodies do not produce on their own so we must get them from the foods we eat! One amino acid in particular, tyrosine plays a critical role in the production of dopamine (feel good nuerotransmitter) and can be naturally found in protein-rich foods like turkey, beef, eggs, dairy, soy and legumes (go organic!). Note: If you’re not eating grass-fed beef then your consumption is most likely coming from a factory farm where they are injected with hormones and are almost always fed GMO corn, which is highly inflammatory. 

4. Dark Chocolate- releases a cascade of feel-good compounds like theobromine, and N-acylethanolamine — a substance chemically similar to cannabinoids that has been linked to improved mood! For women on their period, there is a dip in magnesium and iron levels so having a few squares of real dark chocolate (at least 70% cacao) can bring down stress & improve positive feelings. We love @beautybarchocolate because it’s delicious and sugar-free, sweetened with @lakanto Monkfruit!

Finally, be intentional about balancing blood sugars: Keeping blood sugar stable by not skipping meals and making sure you get enough Proteins, Fats, Fiber and Greens at every meal is the best insurance we have against hypoglycemic drops in blood sugar that cause cortisol levels to rise in tandem with anxiety levels!

Also be mindful of your sugar & caffeine content: Stimulants that, when consumed in excess, can wreak havoc on adrenal function & lead to anxiety (find swaps you love like @bodyblissbyjess 's latte blends, which you can find HERE  + @scoutandcellar wine, which you can find HERE)!

What are some of your favorite mood boosting foods?

#mentalhealthawarenessmonth

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