Life challenges can cause our mood to dip, but have you ever slipped into a slump when things are going well? Food is not something many of us think of when our mood is low, but it can be a key ingredient to re-balancing it when there may not appear to be a reason. Feeding our brain is something to keep in mind when meal planning for the week.
Here are 5 key foods to help keep the joy and happy feelings balanced.
- Dark Leafy Greens are my “go to” for energy and overall “feel good” food. Aside from the nutrients (vitamin C and Magnesium) and alkalinity of greens, they hold key nutrients that actually help our brains convert amino acids to serotonin and dopamine, the neurotransmitters that help us feel good!
- Another benefit of “greens”… they are high in “B” vitamins which can get depleted when under stress, with low levels in studies being linked to low mood. So where else do we find them; brown rice, oats, legumes, and of course our dark green veggies (ie; spinach, kale, broccoli).
- Snacking on nuts & seeds… some of these mighty little snack foods can hold a powerful punch when it comes to improving our mood. Cashews hold one of the highest levels of tryptophan, making it a favorite for keeping the blues at bay. Walnuts, flax, and chia, are all good sources of plant based omega-3, another mood boosting and anxiety reducing favorite.
- Wild Caught Fish like salmon and cod are rich in omega-3 and DHA which helps keep our brain functioning properly and allow for top neurotransmitter function. Eating three servings a week is optimal for overall health. Another healthy fat for brain health is unrefined cold pressed coconut oil.
- Fermented Foods help in adding good bacteria to our gut, the key to good health and where much of our serotonin is produced. These include sauerkraut, kefir, miso, and kombucha.
Keep in mind that low mood and anxiety can be caused by many things including stress, hormone imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies so it’s important to see a professional with prolonged or unusual changes. For maintaining an overall healthy balance, starting with healthy whole foods, exercise, and lifestyle choices are great places to start with re-balancing your body to whole health.
