There is a saying ‘you are what you eat’ so if you want to be happy, it makes sense that you should eat good mood food! No, we don’t mean comfort food, we mean food that makes you feel happy, gives you a boost and lifts your mood.
1. Black Beans
These little black wonders are chock full of magnesium, which boosts serotonin, the hormone that makes us feel happy. Plus, they are also rich in anti-oxidants and filled with iron, fibre, zinc, copper and potassium. Dynamite really does come in small packages!
2. Seaweed
If you love sushi, rejoice! Seaweed is a good mood food as it is filled with iodine that helps you fight depression. Iodine also influences your energy levels, your weight and your brain functions, and if there is not enough of it in your body, you’ll feel blue. California rolls anyone?
3. Blueberry Juice
The real version of Gummy Berry juice, blueberry juice is filed with antioxidants and Vitamin C. They are also filled with resveratrol, which is an antioxidant pigment that has links to relieving depression.
4. Eggs
Loaded with zinc, Vitamin B, Omega 3 fatty acids and proteins, eggs keep you full and energetic long after you’ve swallowed the last spoonful. They are also great for anyone who wants to lose weigh for this exact purpose.
5. Coconut
Coconut has become something of a trendy food in recent years, and for good reason. Not only is it delicious in desserts, in drinks and in just about every other for too, it is also sure to perk you up. Coconut has been found to have plenty of medium-chain triglycerides and these are fuel for a good mood.
6. Dark Chocolate
Of course chocolate has to be on this list, but not just any chocolate, dark chocolate! Dark chocolate not only boosts your mood, it also instantly improves your concentration levels as it improves the flow of blood to your brain. This makes you feel energized, and in turn, perks you up.
7. Mussels
These little seaside molluscs are filled with vitamin B12 that helps keep your brain sharp, as you get older. They are also filled with zinc, iodine and selenium that helps keep your thyroid under control, and this in turn will stabilize your mood.
8. Swiss Chard
High magnesium levels help you fight depression, and Swiss chard is packed full of magnesium. This leafy blues-beater is a great pick me up, and also gives your energy levels a boost.
9. Asparagus
Asparagus is incredibly high in tryptophan and this is the basic ingredient needed for your body to create serotonin.
These little green spears really pack a punch and they also have high folate levels, something that people with depression often don’t have, and really need.
10. Honey
A bit of a miracle food, honey is filled with kaempferol and quercetin. These both keep your brain healthy and ward of the effects of depression.
Honey also helps stabilize your blood sugar levels so you don’t crash, and it gives your immune system a boost too, so you fight off illness and infection.