Foods and Moods

by bodytherapybynikeena Healthy Food Choices, Mental Health

Do you ever feel down, depressed, or just not yourself? Life brings unexpected twists, turns, and challenges that can cause us to feel this way. However, were you aware that the foods you eat also affect your moods? It’s true! Here are some examples:

  • Complex carbohydrates (ex: sweet potatoes, beans, quinoa, rolled oats) can increase serotonin levels (feel good hormone) in your brain. In other words, these are mood boosting foods!
  • Because fruits and veggies are high in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, they can boost your happiness.
  • Foods such as chicken, turkey, eggs, tofu, beef (limited amounts) have a positive impact on your concentration, motivation, and mood!

Foods with low nutritional value can deplete your energy and negatively impact your mood. These types of foods include:

  • Foods based in flour such as breads, baked goods, as well as drinks and snacks packed with sugars (think sodas, packaged sweets, certain breakfast cereals, jelly beans, etc.)
  • Candy
  • Lemonades, sports drinks, many fruit drinks

In addition to foods that can boost or lower your mood, skipping meals also plays a factor in how you may feel. When we skip meals our blood sugar can become low which can cause irritability, weakness, and fatigue.

Here are some great articles with more information about how foods affect our moods.

Gut feelings: How Food Affects Your Mood https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gut-feelings-how-food-affects-your-mood-2018120715548

Food & Your Mood: How Food Affects Mental Health https://www.aetna.com/health-guide/food-affects-mental-health.html

What is the Relationship Between Food and Mood? https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/external/2018/03/relationship-food-mood/