Today we have a informative post from Lisa Brown on 5 Ways Food Affects Your Mood!
What are the things that can put you in a good mood?
If you’re like most people, food would be one of the things on your list of mood-improver’s.
Did you know that there are scientific reasons why certain types of food can improve your mood? In the next few minutes, you will learn ways on how food can affect your mood, and the best ways that you can take advantage of those:
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1. It Keeps the Digestive System Working Properly
The impact that the digestive system on our mood is overlooked. What most people are not aware of is that the digestive system is almost like a secondary brain. Well, it’s not a brain the sense that it can think on it’s own. It’s more like a brain because it has its own network of brain cells.
What does the digestive system use those brain cells for?
The digestive system works independently from your brain. When you eat, you don’t stop and think about how you will be digesting the food.
It does that automatically, even when you’re sleeping. It controls that function by its own network of neurons.
Your gut brain can then send signals to your main brain that can have an impact on how you feel. So, if your digestive is having a bad day, chances are that you will end up feeling bad for the rest of that day.
2. Our Body Needs Foods That Match the Season
Have you ever noticed how you crave for specific types of foods during certain periods?
During winter for example, you would always want to eat dishes that are warm. It’s not just about the temperature although it is kind of connected to it.
Our bodies have developed over the years and our craving for foods that are ideal for each season is more than just a hankering for good food. It has something to do with survival.
So, if you manage to find the foods that are in season, chances are those will put you in a good mood.
3. It’s All About the Carbs
There is a connection between the carbs found in the food you eat and your mood. The secret lies in a nonessential amino acid known as tryptophan. This nonessential amino acid helps to increase the serotonin which is synthesized in the brain. You should know by now that serotonin makes you feel good and improves your mood.
Now, the key in increasing your tryptophan levels is by eating more carbohydrates. Of course, this does not mean that you will be eating as much carbohydrates as you can. You should also be aware that carbs have negative effects on the body too if you eat too much of it. Just be smart in choosing your sources of carbohydrates.
You should also stay away from diets that are very low on carbs if you want to maintain a positive mood. A diet that is very low on carbs can take away your desire to exercise and make you feel fatigue all the time.
4. A Balanced Breakfast Leads to Good Mood
The eating of a balanced breakfast can lead to a good mood for the rest of the day. It is with good reason that breakfast is considered to be the day’s most crucial meal. If you are in a good mood after breakfast, chances are that you will stay that way until the day ends.
Aside from putting you in a good mood, a healthy and balanced breakfast should also give you enough energy to last you through the entire day.
What makes a balanced and breakfast?
It’s one that is loaded with fiber, nutrients, good fats, protein, and some carbs.
5. Mood and Omega 3 fatty Acids
There could be a connection between Omega 3 fatty acids and depression. Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in fish, walnuts, and flaxseed and it could help in preventing depression, since it has an effect on the neurotransmitters which can be found in the brain.
The evidence is not conclusive, but it would not hurt you to eat as much Omega 3 as you can, especially since its sources are also rich in other nutrients.
Other Things That Can Improve Your Mood
Aside from the food that you eat, there are other things that you can do in order to improve your mood. Many of those things that you can do to boost your mood are quite simple.
For example, you can listen to upbeat music. Studies have shown that listening to music can actually lower blood pressure and even reduce the level of stress in your body. We all know that nothing can ruin your day like stress.
Create a playlist filled with music that will uplift you while listening to it. Just make sure that you are not listening too loudly.
Another simple idea that you can try is to smell a piece of lemon. You might not realize it, but the sense of smell can play an immense role in ensuring that you stay in a good mood. Researchers have found that lemon contains a substance that helps reduce stress.
A time proven method that will help to improve your mood is meditation. Don’t worry, you do not have to spend years of silence and study to properly meditate. All you have to do is to sit in a quiet place and then focus on your breathing for several minutes. That should put you in the right mood.
Your mood will determine a great deal on what you will accomplish throughout the day. It may also dictate how you will be interacting with other people and food plays a prominent role in determining your mood.
Binge eating in order to stay away from depression is not recommended. It does not work and at the end of the day, you will end up with other problems and not just depression. But as you can see, the food that you eat will ultimately have an impact on how you feel, so you have additional reasons to be more conscious about it.
Author Bio: Lisa Brown has been helping her readers in successful business and entrepreneurial strategies for the past 3 years. She currently works with uae.ekuep.com, which is the answer to UAE’s growing restaurant industry. Ekuep is the brand that restaurants, bakeries, cafes, juice bars, and more turn to when they want to stock their kitchens with only the best restaurant equipment.
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