Living Healthy: Mood Boosting Foods

Mood Boosting Foods

Having a healthy diet is an important part of living a healthy life. Choose mood boosting foods to improve the quality of your life. Jane Clauss talks to Maggie Michalcyk, RDN with Once Upon a Pumpkin about what foods to include in your diet to boost mood. Add these nutrient-dense, mood boosting foods into your diet to improve your overall health.

1-Fermented foods

Probiotics are important for helping maintain gut health which is closely linked to mood. Foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, yogurt, and kefir have probiotics and are great for maintaining good gut health. A healthier gut equals a boosted mood!

2-Dark leafy greens

Greens like spinach and kale are high in vitamins and nutrients like folate and are high in fiber. They also are a good source of vitamin C and K and contain high amounts of iron and calcium. These vitamins can help increase serotonin which helps to keep us happy.

3-Omega 3 Fats

Foods like fish, olive oil, and nuts include high amounts of Omega 3. There is a link between omega-3s and anti-inflammatory and mood boosting effects effects.

4-Eggs

Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, is one of the main vitamins found in eggs. During the winter months, eggs can be a great way to get your vitamin D in, even when you aren’t getting much time outside. This can help improve mood and prevent irritability.

5-Dark chocolate

Chocolate can actually be super healthy! Dark chocolate with high concentrations of cacao contains flavonoids which can boost mood by improving blood flow to the brain.

The key is to not reach for junk foods and instead include vitamin and nutrient dense foods in order to improve overall health. Follow the recipe in the video to make a delicious salmon kale caesar salad that includes healthy ingredients like kale, salmon, avocado, and pumpkin seeds.

Jane is a trusted voice when it comes to health, wellness, medicine, and fitness. As the long-time host of Living Healthy TV she’s interviewed the best experts in the world of health and wellness to bring the story to you.