Every year, hundreds of thousands of people make it their new year goal to eat healthier. Some may choose to eat healthy for a new weight loss journey or a goal to have more energy, but many do not recognize the daily effect that healthy food has on your mood.

Your mood can be influenced by many factors in day-to-day life, including environment, sleeping pattern, stress, etc. Many people do not know the correlating relationship between nutrition and mental health. Eating healthy not only provides overall benefits to your body, but it can boost your mood and make you feel good too!

Check out these feel-good healthy food options!

Foods That Boost Your Mood

1. Berries

Most people know the overall health benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables. However, a great thing to add to that list is berries, which pack a wide range of antioxidants that play a key role in combatting stress and the imbalance of harmful compounds in your body.

2. Fermented Foods

This includes yogurt, kombucha, or any other food in which bacteria and yeast are used to break down the sugars and create probiotics that support gut health and increase serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects many facets of human behavior, such as mood, stress response, appetite, and more.

It is important to note that not all fermented foods are sources of probiotics, like beer, bread, and wine.

3. Dark Chocolate

Dark Chocolate is great for improving your mood due to the quick source of fuel its sugar provides your brain.

4. Fish

Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fats for health that your body does not produce on its own. Omega-3 is linked to lower levels of depression and plays a key role in brain development.

5. Beans

Beans are full of vitamin B, which is known to help improve and regulate your mood by signaling the proper communication between nerve cells, which is linked to mood disorders. Also, nutrients are known to elevate your spirits.

Foods to Stay Away Froom

When feeling low, you tend to crave high-calorie, sugar-rich foods, but it is best to think of the long-term negative consequences you may face. Try to avoid the following:

• Processed foods and meats
• High-sugar sweets and beverages
• Refined grains

If you are experiencing a health emergency, our doors are open 24/7 without the wait. Come into your local emergency room, NW Indiana ER & Hospital, for compassionate and expert care – no matter the illness or injury.

Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, NW Indiana ER & Hospital and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.