Improve your mood with food
Unless you’ve ever changed your diet in the past, you may not know how much of what you eat (and don’t eat) affects the way you think and feel. An unhealthy diet can negatively affect you mood, disrupt your sleep, zap your energy, and weaken your immune system. And switching to a healthy diet, low in sugar and refined carbs, and rich in healthy fats, fruits and veggies, whole grains, and fibre can give you more energy, improve your sleep and mood, and help you to look and feel your best.
People respond slightly differently to certain foods, depending on genetics and other health factors, so experiment with how different foods affect your wellbeing. But here is a general guide by HealthGuide.org, an online nonprofit mental health and wellness resource, co-founded by renowned psychologist and author, Dr. Jeanne Segal.
Foods that adversely affect mood:
Caffeine
Alcohol
Trans fats or anything with “partially hydrogenated” oil
Foods with high levels of chemical preservatives or hormones
Sugary snacks
Refined carbs (such as white rice or white flour)
Fried food
Foods that boost mood:
Fatty fish rich in Omega-3s such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, tuna
Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, cashews, peanuts
Avocados
Flaxseed
Beans
Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, Brussel’s sprouts
Fresh fruit such as blueberries