Best Foods to Boost your Mood in an Instant

There are days when whole things turn out wrong. You are not in the mood to do anything. You may feel no appetite at all or eat a lot. Unfortunately, in these circumstances, people usually go for unhealthy food such as sweets, trans fat or refined carbohydrates. Believe or not, they wreck your mood further.

Let’s me give you a helping hand to choose healthy food which can lift up your mood in an instant.

Ideal foods to make you feel better

Dark Chocolate

I always love the feeling of putting a small square of dark chocolate, then let it melt in my mouth. The bittersweet flavor is tempting. Do you know that it also causes the brain to release endorphins- the hormone of happiness?

What is more? Dark chocolate is also rich in antioxidants, especially the one call flavanols. It acts as the most powerful shield against aging and high blood pressure. Next time, when you feel blue, let chocolate soothe your mind!

Tip

Just make sure you bring home dark chocolate with more than 70% cocoa. Also, avoid sugary and milky chocolate at all cost. It does more harm than good.

No matter how wonderful chocolate is, don’t overconsume it. You may get hyper and awake all night.

Banana

You are tired to death and don’t feel like doing anything? Treat yourself with bananas. Fructose in banana is the quickest booster in the world! Banana also contain potassium which strengthens the circulation system. Also, it is rich in vitamin B and C and healthy carbohydrates. All these amazing nutrients will lift up your mood and become energized.

Tip

If you want to try something new with banana, try banana ice-cream. This super easy ice-cream works well when I want to refresh my mood.

Ginger Tea

It is more common to have a coffee to feel more awake. Coffee has high caffeine level which can lead to dehydration. Why don’t you try ginger tea instead? Ginger has a lot of antioxidants and nutrients to support you when you are down in the dumps.

Tip

To have a tasty drink, use fresh ginger. Add natural agave nectar or honey instead of sweetener. Now, it’s time to enjoy! So yummy and refreshing!

Eggs

Eggs are available in every kitchen. But not many people know that it is the ultimate food for happiness. Vitamin B12 in eggs does a great help to produce energy and alleviate the pressure on your muscles.

Tip

A hard-boiled egg is very easy to do. It takes only 8 to 10 minutes for you to get “the magic refresher”. The good news is you can try a lot of food recipes with egg. As for me, I usually make the omelet full of spinach and tomato.  When I finish the omelet, I often forget why I was so depressed a few minutes before.

Nuts

I often bring nuts with me because they make very healthy snacks. There are plenty of choices for you, and all are good. You can pick walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds.

When you are anxious, your body is insufficient of zinc. And nuts are a great source of zinc. Nuts are rich in vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients can heal the damage in blood cells caused by anxiety or pressure.

Tip

Nut contains a high amount of fat, so keep track of the intake of calories.

Dark, leafy greens

Greeny friends are healthy for sure. Potassium, magnesium, and calcium have the potential role to prevent and depression.Do you know why? They can put the cortisol, the “gloomy” hormones in your body under control.

Tip

Spinach, kale are best dark, leafy greens. I prefer to make a salad full of vegetables and tomatoes when the bad mood hits me hard.

Fish

Fish deserves to stay in the top list of mood-boosting foods. A study in the Archives of General Psychiatry shows that people who often eat fish sleep better and have positive thoughts. Their self-help ability is high although they still go through trials in their life¹.

Tip

Choose fish with high DHA like salmon, sardines, and mackerel to benefit you the most.

Foods to avoid when you feel bad

Processed/Junk Foods

According to the British Journal of Psychiatry, those who consume processed foods frequently tend to be more depressed². It is also right that eating a variety of fresh foods will help you have a more balanced state of mind

Tip                                                 

Don’t place processed foods in easy-to-see places. It’s even better if you can clear up these foods from your fridge!

Alcohol

Say “No” to alcohol even if you feel like the world is against you. It is not a quick and useful solution for your problems as it seems to be. Alcohol drains out water from your body, leaving you irritations, headaches and aching body the day after.

Tip

Why don’t you try red wine? It can lead you to a happier and healthier life without bad consequences.

Sweets/Sweeteners

When sugar comes to your body, it produces insulin which makes you sleepy. Needless to say, sweets bring you some severe diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver or even trigger cancer³.

Scientists show that stress in our brain lures us to search for sugar to take energy back. That’s the reason why a lot of people grab sweets when they are stressed. However, it is a vicious circle, and you need to avoid at the beginning.

Tip

If you are a sweet-lover, don’t need to go sugar-free. Just minimize sugar intake.

In the bottom line, good foods can make you feel better. Try theses amazing foods when you feel like the world is on your shoulders.

But don’t be too hard on yourself (Life is hard enough!). I sometimes award myself with my favorite “unhealthy” foods after sticking to good ones. So, which foods can cheer you up? Share your experience with us.