10 Mood-Boosting Superfoods To Try

You are what you eat, and if you’re always eating fatty foods, you’re going to feel sluggish. Not to worry, you can always eat better to feel better, because there are foods that will help boost your mood!

We’re all a bit of an emotional eater, celebrating our highs with a hearty meal and our lows with filling snacks to numb our souls. But even hearty meals don’t have everything we need to give us the boost we need; they can actually leave us feeling tired and slow!

Food affects us in the way we feel, and eating certain foods can help keep your brain healthy and boost your mood. These are ten foods that contain only the best nutrients nature has to offer to help keep you at your best.

1. Caffeine

We all know how coffee is absolutely a no-go when it comes to anxiety because it can make you more anxious. Still, it’s a great mood booster because it keeps you awake and alert, and it releases your dopamine and adrenaline hormones.

That explains why many people feel a lot more social after a cup of coffee in the morning! Caffeine can also be found in other drinks like green tea.

Coffees and teas also have antioxidants in them; green tea specifically has some antioxidants that can lower the risk of developing many chronic diseases. A smile and medicine in a cup!

2. Berries

Berries, especially when frozen, contain a high amount of antioxidants, and a diet rich in antioxidants can help combat mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Berries are great at controlling the balance of harmful compounds in your body because of these antioxidants.

3. Salmon

Salmon contains Omega-3 and docosahexaenoic (DHA), fatty acids that our bodies can’t produce by themselves. These acids play an essential role in brain development and fluidity of signals between your brain cells which are linked to helping with depression.

Eating a 3.5-ounce portion of salmon contains a significant amount of DHA, which more than enough to keep our brain healthy! Not only does it benefit your brain, but it reduces the risk for heart disease and boosts your metabolism.

4. Dark Chocolate

Don’t throw out all your candy before starting a diet. Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants that can help boost your serotonin levels. The sugars and flavonoids give your brain the boost it needs to help you feel better.

Dark chocolate is the best because it contains less sugar and more flavonoids to encourage serotonin release. It doesn’t only help with your mood but also helps with overall brain health and reduces inflammation!

5. Bananas

Bananas are high in vitamin B6, which are essential in making the brain’s happy hormones dopamine and serotonin. Paired with fibers like cereal, they can slowly release sugar and keep your moods from swinging up and down!

6. Chickpeas

Chickpeas are a plant-based protein that contains folate, manganese, and iron, all of which are essential to improve your mood and keep your brain healthy! To make a quick snack out of these, toss them in the oven with some spices and make yourself a crunchy snack!

7. Nuts And Seeds

They’re also plant-based proteins with healthy fats and packed with fiber. They provide you with an acid tryptophan which helps boost your serotonin levels and keep your brain healthy!

Higher rates of depression are linked to those with a deficiency in nutrients like selenium and zinc found in pine nuts and almonds. So the next time you hit the supermarket, don’t forget to get some nuts and seeds!

8. Avocado

9. Oats

The fiber found in carbs like oats can keep your energy levels up for extended periods because they release their sugar slowly over time. The steady release is linked to keeping your mood from fluctuating along with your energy levels throughout the day.

Iron deficiency and low iron intake levels can leave you feeling sluggish or moody, and oats can help keep those levels up! They’re a great source of iron which holds a fifth of your required daily intake.

10. Spinach

Spinach has a high nitrate content that has benefits that include preventing heart disease and increasing athletic performance. So channel your inner Popeye and make sure you get your spinach in before a workout!