Foods and Drinks That Help Boost Your Mood

Have you ever felt like your mood improved after eating or drinking something? Or maybe you’ve experienced the opposite. Not long after you eat or drink something you feel a bit dull.

Well, there’s a logical reason for that; and I’m not talking about what is referred to as emotional eating, which is an unhealthy eating habit. I’m talking about the fact that foods and drinks contain nutrients. And the nutrients we consume affect the brain.

The nutrients that tend to have a more positive effect on the brain include omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, magnesium, folate, selenium, and vitamins C, D, and B6 (1). These nutrients have been shown to boost a person’s mood.

But before you stock up on vitamin supplements for each of these, you might want to reconsider. The best way to get your nutrients is always from the foods that contain them.

So, what are some of these foods and drinks with mood-boosting nutrients?

Besides Vitamin D, which is synthesized through sunlight, the things you can eat or drink that can boost your mood include dark chocolate, green tea, bananas, blueberries, zucchini, coffee, quinoa, lentils, chickpeas, dark leafy greens, broccoli, avocados, lion’s mane mushrooms, nuts (such as brazil nuts and walnuts), and probiotics (found in kombucha, kefir, yogurt, etc.) (1).

My personal favorites?

Cashews and almonds
Salmon
Dark Chocolate
Green tea
Bananas, and
Coffee

Takeaway

We all experience ups and downs in life. But whether or not you rarely, occasionally, or frequently experience sadness and/or depression, remember the nutrients you consume can have an effect on how you feel. However, keep in mind, what you consume shouldn’t be the only thing you depend on. There are many other things that affect your mood in either a positive or negative way. The key is to be aware of what all these things are. What we feed our bodies and brian happens to be one of them.