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Feeling blue? While self-motivation or even music make your feel less glum, it is food that you should turn to for that instant lift in your mood. Gorge on these few mood-boosting foods that will cheer you up in no time. #1 Oranges and grapefruit If you are feeling irritable or are low on energy, you might be lacking vitamin C in your body. Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits will boost your vitamin C levels, and you will be smiling in no time [1]. #2 Chocolate You cannot deny that you feel happier after indulging in a piece or two of chocolate. Chocolate releases mood-enhancing chemicals such as tyrosine, theobromine and tryptophan that give you a definite high [2]. #3 Lentils Serotonin, also referred to as the feel-good hormones, stabilize your emotions and promote happier mood. So if you like dal chawal, here s your way to go. Lentils can increase the production of serotonin in your body allowing you to relax and feel happy [3]. #4 Green tea If you are a little low today, unwind with a cup of green tea. Green tea contains the compound theanine that can relax and calm you. It can also help remove the mental fog [4]. #5 Salmon If seafood is your thing, have salmon to uplift your mood. It is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that not only boost your mood but are also effective in dealing with anger. Plus, it is a rich source of vitamins B and D that releases energy and boosts your mood [5]. #6 Oats Eating oats for breakfast can be a great way to make you feel good. It has a low glycemic index that regulates blood sugar levels in the body, releasing energy in the same pace throughout the day. It also contains selenium that can keep your mood afloat by stabilising your thyroid gland [6]. You may also like to read:
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For more articles on diet, visit our dietsection. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.References:1. Silver, H. J., Dietrich, M. S., & Niswender, K. D. (2011). Effects of grapefruit, grapefruit juice and water preloads on energy balance, weight loss, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk in free-living obese adults. Nutrition & Metabolism, 8, 8. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-8-82. Martin, F.-P. J., Antille, N., Rezzi, S., & Kochhar, S. (2012). Everyday Eating Experiences of Chocolate and Non-Chocolate Snacks Impact Postprandial Anxiety, Energy and Emotional States. Nutrients, 4(6), 554 567. doi:10.3390/nu40605543. Young, S. N. (2007). How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN, 32(6), 394 399. 4. Yoto A, Murao S, Nakamura Y, Yokogoshi H. Intake of green tea inhibited increase of salivary chromogranin A after mental task stress loads. J Physiol Anthropol. 2014 Jul 17;33:20. doi: 10.1186/1880-6805-33-20. PubMed PMID: 25034805; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4118660. 5. Logan, A. C. (2004). Omega-3 fatty acids and major depression: A primer for the mental health professional. Lipids in Health and Disease, 3, 25. doi:10.1186/1476-511X-3-256. Rao, T. S. S., Asha, M. R., Ramesh, B. N., & Rao, K. S. J. (2008). Understanding nutrition, depression and mental illnesses. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 50(2), 77 82. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.42391