Top Mood Boosting Foods That Are Easily Available
Many scientists once thought that the foods you eat and how they can affect your moods was a far-fetched, unscientific idea, have gradually changed their minds about how foods affect your moods, and now realize that mood boosting happiness is only a few bites away.
Your diet definitely can affect your moods, and by the use of specific foods, you can improve how you feel. However, splurging on expensive saffron isn’t necessary. These mood boosting foods are even easy to add your budget conscious grocery shopping list.
Since the foods you consume affects body and brain chemistry, it’s important to plan out and choose the right ingredients while shopping.
Add these items in your cooking process and include them in your diet to enjoy better health:
Turmeric
Turmeric is an inexpensive spice available in grocery stores. It influences the brain by increasing neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of happiness and also boosts your immune system. Ginger is also very good and contains the same general properties.
Tomatoes
The lycopene in tomatoes is linked to the reduction of inflammatory compounds. These compounds affect the mood and lead to depression, so eating tomatoes is one way to stay happy.
Cherry tomatoes are recommended over regular tomatoes because they have more lycopene. However, all tomatoes have this important nutrient.
Beets
This vegetable belongs on the mood boosting grocery list because of betaine. It’s a special compound capable of making antidepressant molecules in the brain and protecting cells from stress. Beets also have betalains that are responsible for reducing inflammation in the body. Studies show that inflammation contributes to depression. Beets improve your mood by slowly releasing sugar as they’re digested.
Celery
It’s a popular diet food, but it’s also a great mood booster. Celery has 3-n-butylphthalide, the chemical responsible for reducing stress hormones, in large quantities.
Asparagus
Its tryptophan levels make it a vegetarian alternative to turkey. Asparagus’ tryptophan contributes to the creation of positive neurotransmitters in the brain.
Asparagus’ folate levels also play a role in boosting your mood. Folate is also needed to make positive neurotransmitters. The study, “Is low folate a risk factor for depression? A meta-analysis and exploration of heterogeneity,” showed that people with low amounts of folate in their body are more likely to suffer from depression.
Swiss chard
Do you want to increase your energy while boosting your mood? Swiss chard helps both of these areas with its magnesium. Magnesium is an essential mineral linked to a happier state of mind.
Lentils
Lentils are a common budget grocery staple, and they can improve your mood. Lentils are a good source of folate, which helps the brain avoid depression. Lentils also have L-tyrosine. It’s an important amino acid used by the brain to make happy neurotransmitters. Lentils are a healthy, simple, and inexpensive way to stay positive, and should be added to your diet.
Oatmeal
Steel cut or flavored, oatmeal is another way to boost your attitude. Oatmeal has high levels of magnesium necessary to stay positive. It also has fiber that reduces blood sugar spikes and prevents mood swings.
Honey
Honey can calm your nerves and decrease anxiety. Multiple nutrients are responsible for this effect.
Eggs
Eggs have the same tryptophan found in turkeys, so they’re an essential part of creating good neurotransmitters in the brain. And try your best to use free-range and organically fed chickens.
Vitamin D fortified cereals
Name brands aren’t necessary to get a vitamin D boost from your cereal. A budget-conscious grocery list can include less expensive generic versions as long as they’re fortified with the vitamin.
Vitamin D is essential for the creation of serotonin. This neurotransmitter makes you feel happy and calm, so it’s important to get enough vitamin D to make your body produce it naturally.
Dark chocolate
Bulk and generic versions of dark chocolate are less expensive, so they can fit a budget grocery list.
Dark chocolate lowers the amount of stress hormones in the body. Additionally, its cocoa flavanols make you feel calmer. A study from the Swinburne University of Technology found that eating dark chocolate was linked to better moods.
The right diet can boost your mood naturally. Plus, you can easily purchase plenty of mood enhancing foods even if you are on a budget.
Mood Boosting Foods Video
Safety Tips to Stay Healthy and Help With Your Mood Boosting Foods
How frequently do you clean out the fridge and cabinets in your kitchen? Food safety is an important part of staying healthy.
Follow these tips to create a safer kitchen environment:
Clean out the kitchen on a regular basis. It’s easy to simply throw the latest food purchases on the shelf and walk away, but it’s important to come back and clean out the cabinets. Cleaning the shelves can help you discover expired items. It can also help you find spoiled foods.
Store food at the right temperature. The temperature can affect how long items last in your fridge. It’s important to set the refrigerator below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit works for most households. The freezer also needs a different setting, and 0 degrees Fahrenheit or less, usually works best.
Store foods separately. Raw chicken/meats needs to be separated from any vegetables or fruits.
Storing raw foods like meat in a separate location is important. Other frozen items like prepackaged lasagna that only needs to be heated can be set apart from the meat in the freezer. Freezer bags and other storage bags are a good way to separate items.
If you’re in the process of cooking, separating raw meat or seafood from other ingredients is also essential. Cross-contamination can occur on kitchen counters, so it’s best to keep items in their own locations.
Buy several cutting boards. Using one for raw meat, one for other raw items, and a separate one for other foods can help you avoid contamination in the kitchen.
Replace older cutting boards once they have a lot of cracks. These cracks and small holes can hide bacteria. Washing the boards frequently may not be enough to get all of the bacteria out. Cutting boards can be washed in warm water and soap.
Pay attention to how you marinate. The marinade that is used on the raw items needs to be disposed of properly.
Get a food thermometer. A food thermometer can help you figure out the temperature of your cooking. Judging a turkey or other food by sight alone can be tricky. A thermometer makes it easier to stay healthy and safe.
While I would recommend avoiding meat products for your own personal health and the health of the planet, if you do eat meat it is very important to follow some of the next tips.
Ground meat needs to reach a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe.
Poultry needs to reach a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe. Pork requires a lower temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Testing the food with a thermometer throughout the cooking process can also help you ensure that it’s not overdone.
Insert the thermometer into a thick part of the food for accurate readings.
It’s no fun, and could seriously risk your life, if you get sick from old food or cross-contamination!
Pay attention to food safety while using a grill. Grilling can be a fun activity for the entire family, but food safety is still important.
A clean grill is the first step to staying safe. It’s essential to completely remove crusted food and other debris from it before cooking. A strong wire brush can help you clean the slots on a grill.
Different plates can help you separate food that is cooked from food that is not cooked.
The utensils you use at the grill also matter. Two sets can help you avoid contamination. One set for the cooked food and one set for the uncooked food will make it easier to stay safe.
Help keep your family safe and healthy by following these food safety tips and at the same time enjoy better health with mood boosting foods.