Have you ever wondered why certain foods just make you feel better? Or why, after consuming specific dishes, you’re left with a sudden surge of energy and happiness? Well, it isn’t just in your head. There’s a fascinating science behind how what we consume impacts our mood and overall well-being.
Oats
If you don’t already start your day with a bowl of oats, maybe you should! It releases its goodness into the bloodstream very slowly – not only does this mean that you’ll have lots of energy to keep you going throughout the day, but it will help to keep your sugar levels steady too. Your mood will benefit from it, as you won’t experience that crash and comedown that you’d get after a quick sugar rush.
Asparagus
Much like turkey, asparagus aids the body with its serotonin production, due to a high level of tryptophan. Higher folate levels can also boost your happiness and help prevent depression; you can find plenty of folates in asparagus. If you’re worried about the rather unfortunate but well-known side effects of eating asparagus, don’t worry! It’s genetic, so there’s a good chance that you won’t experience any adverse results.
Dark chocolate
I’m sure it comes as no surprise to hear that chocolate makes you feel great! It actually releases endorphins, which give you the same feeling of happiness as when things heat up in the bedroom. It’s best to eat chocolate in moderation, and to opt for some with a high percentage of cocoa. With only a small amount of dairy, it’s practically a vegetable!
Yoghurt
Your first reaction might not be to think of yoghurt as a particularly healthy food – it is a dairy product, after all. However, it’s the calcium levels which are really important. Some yoghurts contain more calcium than milk! Low levels of calcium can cause irritability and depression, so by eating yoghurt and keeping your calcium levels topped up, you’ll keep your mood up, too.
Mussels
This unusual type of seafood is one of the best sources of vitamin B12 on the planet. Why is this so important? It protects your brain, meaning that it will continue to fire on all cylinders for as long as possible. Mussels also contain a whole host of other vitamins and minerals which your thyroid needs to keep you happy and energized.
Bananas
Bananas have a whole host of benefits, none more so than the fact that they are packed full of potassium. When you’re stressed your potassium levels plummet, so eating a banana will keep you calm and chilled out. As if that wasn’t enough, they’re very low in calories, so they can keep your conscience happy as well as your mood!
Sunflower seeds
There are so many different things that you can do with sunflower seeds, so it’s really easy to introduce more into your diet. You can use them everywhere from baked in breads to as a tasty snack covered in chocolate; the possibilities are endless. The best thing about sunflower seeds is that they are rich in Omega-3, which gets your brain working at top speed.