Good Food Equals Good Mood!

Can your diet really help put you in a good mood? Well, yes the food we eat can play a large role in how we feel. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

In order to function at an efficient level, the brain and body need fuel. That fuel comes in the form of food and has a direct impact on the function and structure of your brain, and ultimately your mood. Tips: 

• Drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated. 
• Eat small frequent meals a day and never skip any meal especially the 1st meal of the day that is Breakfast. Eating breakfast gets the day off to a good start.
• Eat more of fruits and vegetables in your diet for vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants requirement. 
• Choose Complex carbohydrates. It will also help prevent blood sugar drops which are associated with irritability and tiredness. They contain vitamins, minerals and fiber. Sources: whole grains, oats, brown rice, etc.
• Eat your protein, choose lean protein. Sources: fish, lean chicken, eggs, sprouts, low-fat dairy products, nuts, etc.
• Include blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries which are all high in vitamin C, which helps cope with cortisol, a hormone that is released during times of stress. Also include whole fruits like apple, banana, etc.
• Include probiotics in your diet. A healthy gut will also result in a happier person. Sources yogurt, sauerkraut, fermented veggies and miso soup are all high in probiotics.
• Eat healthy fats in diet like Omega-3 fats. Studies have shown omega-3 fats appear to have anti-depressant properties. They are found in salmon, anchovies, fresh tuna, flax seeds, walnuts and canola oil.
• Drink a cup of herbal tea once or twice a day. It is high in antioxidant.
• Get some sunlight for Vitamin D. 10-15mins a day. Also include vitamin D rich foods such as eggs, green leafy vegetables and oily fish.
• Sleep well. And avoid taking the stress. Also, exercise daily for 30 mins at least. 
• Foods and beverages to avoid: caffeine, alcohol,  processed, fried and junk food, refined products like maida, white rice, sugary products, etc.

Overall, we should be eating primarily whole foods that come from the earth and haven’t been processed or refined.