Food not only affects how you look, but it affects your mood in different ways as well. Have you ever eaten a chocolate donut or some French fries only to find yourself in a sour mood not too long after? Nutritionists know how our diet affects the way we perceive the world and regulate our mood changes. By staying away from processed food, foods with trans fats, alcohol, coffee, and most sugars you can almost guarantee you will be a much happier person. Here are five other categories of food and an explanation of how they can affect the way you feel.
1. Green vegetables such as spinach. Green veggies such as spinach and broccoli contain high amounts of magnesium. This mineral is great for chasing away the blues clear your mind. Try substituting mixed greens or iceberg lettuce for spinach and feel the results.
2. Whole grains. Whole grains in the form of bread, cereal, pastas, and otherwise contain water soluble Vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin. They help to ensure the brain and nervous system is functioning properly and can improve memory and concentration.
3. Peas, pumpkin, and broccoli. Foods that are rich in essential minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and iron are energy boosters. As many people are deficient in these minerals, they tend to suffer from depression, sluggishness, and a dreary mood.
4. Milk, yogurt, and other dairy products. Dairy products contain calcium, Vitamin D, E, and C, as well as copper and manganese. All of these antioxidants are found to be anti-stress nutrients and can help out your mood significantly.
5. Fish and avocados. Both foods contain high amounts of essential fatty acids which are key in promoting brain and cell function. Without Omega 3’s you can become lethargic and unhappy
Though regulating what we eat can be a large role in our mood, relying on food for strictly psychological purposes can be damaging to your mental state and waist line. Be sure to eat small meals throughout the day, drink plenty of water, get at least seven hours of sleep every night, and exercise regularly.
