FOODS THAT BOOST YOUR MOOD

Did you know that what you eat can significantly impact your mood? This is something that I'm learning in school, and I find it to be quite fascinating. Too much of anything can be an overload for your body, but the right portions of the best foods can improve your life in more ways than just physical health. You may notice that you feel more focused, energized and full (in a good way) after consuming protein-rich foods, well, that's because protein produces dopamine when eaten in small portions. Carbs are considered to be a go-to food when one is hungry, depressed or drunk because too much makes you sleepy, but the right amount releases serotonin to make you feel more calm.

Fish, flaxseed, beans and walnuts produce a fair amount of serotonin, and those foods a much better choice than simple carbs because the foods rich in omega-3s as well can even decrease depression. Many claim that it is the specific foods that you consume over the holidays and at special events that cause drowsiness, but too much of anything can do that! Think about how much you eat while with relatives, and how badly you want to take a nap after a big meal. All of those carbs and protein is to blame, so don't have such generous portions, keep it light. Veggies give you the right amount of energy, while animal products, especially from those that are not from local farming can make you feel stressed. This is because the animals were basically tortured before slaughter, and that negative energy transfers to the low-quality meat that you're eating! This may seem hard to believe, but its true!

Darker greens such as broccoli, kale and lettuce bring more oxygen to the bloodstream because they grow under direct sunlight and contain the most chlorophyll. Ground vegetables such as potatoes and squash bring more balance to your mood, and root veggies like beets and carrots absorb the nutrients in the soil and can make you feel more grounded and calm. I absolutely love spinach, and I'm glad that its one of my favorites, because it truly is a fantastic superfood. Spinach is full of antioxidants, which protect the membranes in brain cells from free-radicals which are a negative influence on both the mind and body. The folic acid and B Vitamins can also aid in reducing depression and fatigue, which explains why Popeye was such a tough guy!

Haven't you noticed how the energy that you get from simple carbs is so short-lived? This is yet, another reason to load up on veggies and fruit to be your absolute best from the inside out! Berries such as blueberries are the ultimate superfruit full of antioxidants that bring positive energy by maintaining your brain's neural pathways and actually recharges your genes to produce more positive enzymes in the brain. Plus, they're delicious! Besides berries, cherries are also full of antioxidants and also contain melatonin, which can aid in improving sleep, something that we all need! The Vitamin C in oranges pumps more oxygen throughout your body to enable your brain to "recharge" your system, which is why it makes perfect "pick-me-up" snack at any time of day!


Remember to never skip breakfast either, it is the most important meal of the day, after all! Starting your day with fiber, good fats and whole grains brings energy, better memory, and a calmer state of mind. Obviously skipping meals makes you feel like crap, and when you skip breakfast, your fatigue and anxiety is at its absolute worst. Eat your happiness, darlings!