Lift Your Mood With Food

Foods can have effects — positive and negative — on your physical and mental health. While there’s no simple nutrition prescription for a cheerful attitude, these healthy eating guidelines could improve your mood and offer other benefits:

Don’t skip meals. If you don’t eat at regular intervals, your blood sugar level could drop significantly, leaving you tired and prone to the blues.

Think complex for carbs. Reaching for refined carb foods as a quick source of energy only leads to a sugar crash. Skip the cookies, opting instead for a piece of whole grain toast with peanut butter. Grains, vegetables, and fruits provide fiber and nutrients for lasting satisfaction and a more consistent mental state. Combine complex carbs with protein to stay happily full even longer.

Load up on mood-boosting nutrients. Omega-3 fats are essential for brain health and have been linked to improvements in depression. Fatty fish such as salmon and trout, flaxseeds, walnuts, and Omega-3-enriched eggs are some sources. Folate, selenium, vitamin D, and other supplements may also help; talk with a dietitian, nutritionist, or healthcare professional to specify your needs.