15 Foods That Are Mood Boosters

What do you do when feeling stressed or feeling down? Head straight to the refrigerator or snack cupboard to consume everything in sight? You’re not alone.

- Dr. Priya Khorana

15 Mood-Boosting Foods:

We usually fail to realize that food we eat has a tremendous effect on our overall mood, health and well-being. What do you do when feeling stressed or feeling down? Head straight to the refrigerator or snack cupboard to consume everything in sight? You’re not alone. According to research by Harvard Health Publications, stress causes the adrenal glands to release cortisol – a hormone that increases appetite and may increase the motivation to eat. Start to stock your kitchen with healthier options that will not only perk up your mood but also help maintain your health overall.

Leafy Greens (spinach, kale, arugula, Swiss chard): Full of mood-boosting vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and folate (a water-soluble B vitamin). Foods with significant amounts of folate have been shown to increase serotonin levels, a mood-enhancing hormone whose levels are often too low in sufferers of anxiety or depression.

Avocado: Healthy fats found in foods such as avocado are essential for healthy cognitive functioning and may also help diminish symptoms of depression and anxiety. They are also wonderful sources of folate, tryptophan and omega-3, all of which are now believed to help improve feelings of well-being, reduce inflammation, and improve healthy brain function.