Mood Foods

It’s probably “not so comforting to hear” that most of our favorite comfort foods are high in calories and saturated fat. A typical grilled cheese sandwich, for example, has 18 grams of saturated fat from the butter and oily cheese ingredients. And one Chicken Pot Pie from Kentucky Fried Chicken has 13 grams of saturated fat, with a total fat count of 42 grams. Just think that one meal will cost you almost an entire day’s worth of saturated fat. So the next time you’re feeling blue, find comfort in foods that can boost your mood without making you feel like you need to hit the gym. Spinach, garlic and dark chocolate each have their own special way of increasing levels of serotonin in your body. Serotonin acts as a link between neurons and cells in the brain triggering responses that can boost mood and help you relax. Researchers at Indiana University found that low levels of serotonin can lead to depression, anxiety and excess anger. Since spinach is loaded with folic acid, a nutrient that aids in the production of serotonin, it can actually put a smile on your face. The more folic acid you have in your diet, the more balanced your mood will become, while feelings of anger and depression decrease. While spinach will boost your happiness, garlic can help you feel more relaxed and calm. Research has found that enzymes in garlic can help increase the release of serotonin, that feel good neurotransmitter. It’s easy to add more garlic to your diet by tossing a few extra cloves into your next pasta sauce or healthy stir-fry. Unlike our first two mood foods, dark chocolate supplies the same quick euphoric rush you’re used to when eating comfort foods. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and it contains a mild mood elevator called PEA or phenyl-ethylamine, which is found in high concentrations in happy people. The antioxidants in dark chocolate can improve heart health, lower blood pressure, and increase flow of blood to the brain. In one Italian study, people who ate dark chocolate every day for two weeks showed decreased blood pressure levels, compared to those who had nibbled on white chocolate. Look for chocolate that is 60 percent cocoa or higher and remember portion control. To learn more about the best foods for every part of your body, check out other videos in this series.