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Poll

Good Mood Food

 

 

 

Simple ways to fuel your body and spirit!


Feeling a little blue lately?  Maybe it's time to look at the food and drinks you're consuming to see if they are busting your good mood.  There are foods that can help you feel better in the short term and the long term.

Feel good food tips:

-Look for foods rich in vitamin B12 and folic acid (folate).  These two vitamins appear to help prevent disorders of the central nervous system and mood disorders.  Higher food intakes of folate and lower prevalence of depressive symptoms crosses cultures. 
Dishes to try:  Burritos or enchiladas with black beans, beef, chicken or pork, spinach salad with crab or salmon, egg white omelet with spinach and low fat cheese. 

-Focus on fruits and vegetables.  They are packed with key nutrients which directly contribute to your quality of life.  One study showed that eating just two more servings of fruits and vegetables a day was associated with an 11% higher likelihood of good functional health. 

-1oz of chocolate can make you happy.  Small amounts of dark chocolate can be a physical upper.  Dark chocolate effects the levels of brain endorphins, the feel-good chemicals that are naturally produced in the body.  It also has an anti-clogging effect on blood vessels. 

-Eat fish several times a week.  Recent studies suggest that men and women have a lower risk of having symptoms of depression if they eat a lot of fish, particularly fatty fish like salmon, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-3s seem to have positive effects on clinically defined mood swings like postpartum depression. 

-Find selenium-rich foods to eat every day.  Selenium in a mineral that acts as an antioxidant in the body.  Research suggests that the presence of higher amounts of selenium circulating in blood had a significant decrease in depression symptoms. 
Dishes to try: Whole grains such as oatmeal, whole-grain bread, brown rice, beans, lean meat, nuts and seeds. 

-Get your vitamin D.  You may notice that a little time in the sun can completely change your mood.  This is because the rays allow our bodies to synthesize and regulate vitamin D.  Very few foods naturally contain the vitamin, but you can get it from short periods of sun exposure, supplements and foods like beef liver, cheese, egg yolks and fatty fish.  Look for foods fortified with vitamin D like breads, milk, juices and cereal. 

Source: www.webmd.com