Quickly Boost Your Mood With These Food Items

We know that there is a link between food and mental health, so the logical thing to do is to watch what we eat.

Some people binge eat when on a low, while some starve themselves. As is usually the case, finding a middle ground is the best thing to do.

When you feel that your mood is sliding down that slippery slope, grab some of this fast mood-boosting food. You’ll be doing yourself a favor and averting disaster.

Fast mood-boosting food

1. Dark chocolate

Yay! Dark chocolate and its health benefits have been the focus of attention for so long, and I know for a fact that it works to quickly make myself feel better. But that’s anecdotal evidence. If you need scientific evidence, here’s something from PsychCentral:

Some of dark chocolate’s benefits come from resveratrol, an antioxidant (immune system booster) found in red wine, among other products. Its mental health benefits include the ability to boost brain levels of endorphins (natural opiates) as well as serotonin (a mood-altering chemical on which many antidepressants act).

Word of caution: recommended amount is one ounce per day.

2. Greek yoghurt

Greek yoghurt – and “normal” yoghurt for that matter – is good for depression because of probiotics, or good bacteria. The latter has a higher amount, hence its faster effects.

3. Honey

Got a sweet tooth but avoiding sugar (which is a good thing)? Then go for honey. Not only is it flavorful, it also a fast mood-boosting food item. Here’s why, and a nice tip on how to use honey to your advantage:

Honey also contains kaempferol and quercetin which greatly improve health of the brain. It is known to reduce inflammation and a strawberry dip in the honey works as a quick mood enhancer.

4. Mussels

I love mussels, so this is good news for me. If you don’t like it, that’s totally fine – there are the other items on this list. But, if you like mussels, then keep some in stock.

The key is vitamin B12, which is the Superman of vitamins when it comes to giving the brain some TLC.

Here is a good collection of mussel recipes to give you variation.

5. Cherry tomatoes

Another food item I love…cherry tomatoes are usually included in salads but I use them for sandwiches and whatever other dish requires tomatoes (if I have some in the fridge). Note that any tomato should do because of its lycopene (which has a host of other benefits as well) content.

Prepare a sandwich with lots of tomatoes, or simply munch on one.