Improve your mood this January with these 6 healthy foods
There is scientific evidence that what we eat can affect how we feel and our mood. Improving your diet can provide you with better energy and concentration levels, having a positive effect on your mental wellbeing. Below is a quick and easy guide to the top foods to help improve your headspace!
1) Slow release energy food
It's best to choose foods that release energy slowly so that your sugar levels stay steady. Examples of slow release energy foods are pasta, rice, oats and wholegrain. If your blood sugar drops it can make you feel very tired and sometimes depressed. So, it’s best to avoid foods such as sweets, biscuits and cake that make your blood sugar rise and fall quickly.
2) Oily fish
Omega-3 is very important to have in your diet as your body can’t make these fats on its own! Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna are high in omega-3 fatty acids that provide brain power and amazing memory skills, and for you veggies, soya beans and walnuts will also work.
3) Fruit and veg
No one has been lying to you when they say having your 5 a day provides incredible health benefits. Fruit and veg hold all the important minerals and vitamins we need to keep our bodies feeling good. Make sure to eat a variety of different coloured fruit and veg to get all the nutrients possible.
Studies show that berries are a natural antidepressant as well as green leafy veg being excellent brain food. Have some berries with your breakfast and add some kale, spinach or broccoli with your next meal.
4) Turkey
Turkey is a top notch food to help your mental health. It contains the protein building block tryptophan which the body uses to make serotonin. Turkey is also an excellent source of protein that provides amino acids to the brain which is needed for it to regulate thoughts and feelings.
5) Avocado and nuts
Avocado and nuts are high in healthy fats as well as avocado containing lots of vitamin E and C. These healthy fats are great for mood and helping you to concentrate on difficult essays! They are a much better option than trans fats such as cake and biscuits which are not good for long-term mood. You can snack on nuts throughout the day and throw avocado on so many things.
6) Dark chocolate
Everyone loves chocolate so treat yourself to some dark chocolate for dessert. Dark chocolate contains anandamide which is an incredible neurotransmitter increasing levels of serotonin in your body. This has fantastic effects on anxiety and depression.
We highly recommend eating a balance of the foods listed above to stay happy and healthy. But don't forget, not everything you eat has to be healthy, and it's perfectly okay to treat yourself to something a bit more decadent. Life's all about balance after all.
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