Eating healthy foods can really make a difference in your mood and how you feel. Today we’re going to talk about the different foods to eat that will boost your mood if you’re feeling anxious, nervous, depressed, sad, or lacking energy. With a few changes to your diet, you can easily improve your mood, so let’s take a look!

Protein for energy

Protein can give you a boost in energy thanks to the norepinephrine and dopamine found in protein. Great protein sources include:

• Beans
• Lean poultry
• Lean red meat
• Cheese

Carbs to ease anxiety

If you’re feeling really anxious, carbohydrates just may be what you need to calm yourself down thanks to the boost in serotonin production you have after eating carbs. Try a healthy cereal like “Go Lean Crunch” which is high in fiber and will give you the carbohydrates that you need.

Calm those nerves

If you’re really nervous about something, seek out foods that will stimulate the release of dopamine. Sources include:

• Bananas
• Leafy greens
• Milk

Get rid of depression

Omega-3 fatty acids can help you ease the symptoms of depression. Try to incorporate fish into your diet because it is a great source of these Omega-3 acids. Try foods like:

• Salmon
• Tuna
• Sardines

Turn that frown upside down

Bad moods not only make your day a little harder to get through, but they can also make it miserable for those around you. Studies have found that if your levels of selenium are low, you’ll be more irritable.  Here are a few sources of selenium to help you turn that frown upside down.

• Sunflower seeds
• Whole grain cereals
• Brazil nuts

Source

There’s a whole bunch of reasons why fiber is good for us! On the short list, it can help lower cholesterol, control blood sugar, and helps our bodies get rid of waste. Another BIG reason why fiber is good for us is because it helps curb our hunger and keeps us feeling full longer. Your sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, cereals, grains, and pastas, as well as beans, seeds, and nuts. The reason these foods help keep you feeling full is because they take longer to digest. Here’s Figure Friendly Club’s list of high fiber foods! You’ll want to incorporate a variety of these into your diet.

–List of High Fiber Foods–

Keep in mind, what’s listed above is NOT a complete list.  I just pointed out some of the foods with the highest amounts of fiber per serving, but essentially any fruit, vegetable, or whole grain is going to be a good source of fiber. For a larger list of fiber sources, click here.