Let food be thy medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food. – Hippocrates
If you live in the tristate area, you’ll definitely understand when I say I need a serious increase in mood-boosting foods lately. I mean really, why doesn’t it feel like spring yet?!
I wrote about a few mood-boosting foods briefly in my (7 metabolism boosting foods) post, but I think these foods deserve a post of their own.
If you need an extra mood boost during this gloomy weather, then check out some mood-boosting foods below.
Sun-colored fruits: oranges, papaya, pineapple
Oranges and Papaya are high in vitamin B6 and folic acid, both of which have been found to be lacking in studies of patients who suffer from depression (1)
Pineapple is a good source of the amino acid tryptophan, which is used by the body to produce serotonin, one of our main ‘happy hormones’. (2)
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort performed better than placebos as a treatment for depression. It was as effective in treating moderate depression as several popular prescription antidepressants.
You can find St Johns wort in just about any store that is selling vitamins, or you can purchase it in tea form.
Avocado
Avocados are natural hormone balancers.
They help your brain make the chemicals that are needed to keep it feeling great. Dr Axe recommends this as the NUMBER 1 food for mood-boosting purposes.
YESSSSSS.
Feel good greens: spinach, asparagus, brussel sprouts
Dark leafy vegetables like spinach, asparagus and brussel sprouts are all rich in folate.
Folate is a B vitamin that is highly correlated with reducing symptoms of depression.
Shiitake mushrooms
Mushrooms contain plant-based vitamin D (one of the only plant-based source) as well is bioavailable iron (bioavailable means the iron is absorbable).
Shiitake mushrooms also contain vitamin B6 which aids in serotonin production. (3)
Raw nuts
Nuts are packed with serotonin, a feel-good chemical that is scarce in your body when you feel down or depressed (4).
Just stay mindful of how many you eat! Nuts are high in fat and calories and are meant to be consumed in small portions
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