Can Food Improve Your Mood?

Most of us underestimate how food can affect our moods.  The brain reacts quickly to food- both good and bad- depending on what you feed it.

Although you may feel sugary candy gives you an energy boost, you expose yourself to erratic fluctuations in your blood sugar levels.  After the “sugar rush” effect wears off, your mood gets bad.  (This can make you want to eat more and more sugar !)

Caffeine is not much better, as it eventually makes you feel jittery and anxious.  A better approach is to feed your brain the right nutrients so you can expect good moods to consistently dominate over bad moods.

Eating right does take some time and planning.  Unfortunately, in our rushed, stress-filled lives, we frequently turn to quick fixes like fast food.  But these quickie meals are often nutrient deficient and heavy with ingredients that make you feel sluggish.

Select carbohydrates like fruits and whole grain products.  Fruits that are lower in sugar are the best option;  these include berries, apple and kiwi.  If you’re not able to get these fresh or in season, choose frozen fruit.  (canned fruit usually has sugary syrup in it)  And, choose whole grain breads over highly-refined baked products.

Vegetables that are low in starch and high in fiber are excellent sources of brain nutrients.  Try spinach, kale, tomatoes, asparagus, cucumber, carrots and cauliflower.  Fresh vegetables are better than frozen, but frozen is better than canned.

When cooking food, opt for olive oil or macadamia nut oil.  Stress can cause inflammation in your body.  The inflammation affects how your brain functions, making you more prone to anxiety and depression.  These oils are filled with oleic acids which are anti-inflammatory compounds.

And, don’t forget to drink plenty of water.  Keeping your body well hydrated keeps you from feeling tired and irritable.

If you suffer from low moods look closely at your diet.  If you are being treated for anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder it is especially important for you to follow and good consistent diet.  You will be surprised at how good you can feel.

For more information on nutrition and a variety of other topics log on to my web-site www.painfree-greatposture.com.