So who knew that the saying ‘you are what you eat’ works on far more than a physical level?
While most of us turn to food to help control our physical health, we often underestimate the mental benefits that different foods have to offer. And this goes far beyond satisfying a rumbling stomach or a craving for something sweet.
Without getting too technical, changes in our diet bring about changes in our brain structure, altering the production and release of the chemical messengers responsible for carrying bits of information like ‘I’m tired’ or ‘I’m hungry’. So by learning a little about the foods we eat and how they affect our behaviour, we can start to control how we’re feeling and improve our mood. This may be stating the obvious but if you eat well, you’ll feel well. So how can you tailor your diet to elevate your mood? Here are a few suggestions, from eggs to chocolate.
Stressful day at the office? For relaxation and anti-stress, choose carbs! Eating carbohydrates helps to boost our serotonin levels, reduces feelings of anxiousness and makes us feel calm. But be careful not to overdose as too many carbs can be soporific!
Examples of healthy carbs include whole grain breads, cereal, fruits, pasta and rice. Try these recipes from the Mostly Eating site to make the most of your carb intake.
If you’re looking for an energy boost, try recipes with foods that are high in protein such as fish, poultry, meat, and you guessed it … Quorn! These will help to improve your alertness and reaction time and what’s more, they are really good for you!
Lack of selenium can also cause bad moods and irritability. You can help to ensure you get your daily dose by including selenium-rich foods in your diet such as tuna, sunflower seeds, swordfish, whole grain cereals and once again, Quorn.
For memory and concentration, try eggs. Choline, which is found in high cholesterol foods like eggs and liver, helps to keep our levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter found in our central nervous system topped up, improving memory, intelligence and mood. Try Simply Recipes for some egg-spiration!
Finally, we can’t forget one mega powerhouse of a mood elevator … CHOCOLATE! While it may not be the healthiest choice, it’s okay to indulge once in a while because chocolate has been shown to increase levels of serotonin and endorphins, equating to what our brain would consider “Happy Hour”. If you’re already drooling, try All Recipes for some great chocolately ideas.
These suggestions are really just the tip of the iceberg as there is so much more info about moods and foods out there. There are also lots of great recipes to help get you started.
Perhaps you’ve discovered a great recipe or food for enhancing your mood? If so, be sure to share it with us!