Let Your Food Guide Your Mood…
The foods that you consume each and every day can contribute naturally to help you maintain adequate stress tolerance levels. Eating your way to a better mood may keep you from having to medications that cause unpleasant side effects. Planning meals that incorporate these foods could spell less anxiety for some. Please note that some of these foods may be out of season or simply may not agree with you so talk with your doctor before changing your diet.
Spinach
Spinach is a highly nutritious dark leafy green that contains iron, vitamin C, and tryptophan. When you consume tryptophan, it helps to calm your mind along with relaxing your nervous system. Use spinach in salads and on sandwiches.
Oranges
Oranges contain vitamin C and antioxidants that will boost your body’s immune system. With a healthier immune system, the cortisol levels in your body will decrease, helping to reduce your anxiety.
Salmon
If you can get past its smell, salmon contains antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein. Omega-3 fatty acids help to create a healthy brain that can withstand the daily stresses that occur at work or school.
Blueberries
Delicious blueberries are considered a superfood that is recommended for making smoothie beverages or baked goods. This fruit contains the antioxidants, iron, and vitamin A that your body requires to overcome the bad effects of a stressful lifestyle.
Almonds
When you eat almonds, you are ingesting vitamin E which helps to reduce the free radicals in your body’s cells. If you are experiencing stress, then your body’s glands release hormones that will damage the cells in your mind and body, but almonds can repair this damage.
Avocado
Avocados contain several types of vitamin B, and this nutrient helps to reduce your mind’s anxiety levels. You can use avocado slices in a salad, or you can mash avocado to create a tasty dip for tortilla chips.
(True) Dark Chocolate
When you feel anxious, you may crave dark chocolate because this delicious treat contains a lot of antioxidants. By eating a small amount of dark chocolate each day, you can have a reduction in the fight-or-flight chemicals in your body.
Asparagus
After eating asparagus, the vitamin B in this vegetable helps your brain to produce dopamine. This chemical improves your overall mood so that you feel less anxious on a daily basis.
Oatmeal
Begin your day with a bowl of hot steel-cut oatmeal. When you are experiencing stress, it is important to eat comfort foods, and warm oatmeal helps your brain to release serotonin that will improve your mood.
Turkey
Turkey has a lot of tryptophan that will increase the amount of serotonin in the pleasure center of your brain. By eating roasted turkey or having a turkey sandwich, you can reduce your stress levels.
That’s all folks. Do you have any other mind and memory-improving foods? Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below. Bon Appetit!
